Network Configuration (GigE Cameras)

This topic tells you how to configure a Basler ace GigE camera in a Windows network.

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Prerequisites

The pylon Camera Software Suite for Windows must be installed.

Recommended Network Architectures

If you are using your GigE camera in a wireless LAN, also read the Using Basler GigE Cameras in a Wireless LAN topic.

Peer-to-peer Network Architecture

One option is to establish a direct peer-to-peer connection between your cameras and your host computer.

The cameras can be connected to individual GigE network adapters or to a multiport adapter in the host computer.

Peer-to-peer Network Architecture

Connecting Via Network Switches

As an alternative, you can establish a connection between your cameras and your host computer via network switches.

The example below shows a 1-port GigE network adapter connected to a 4-port network switch. You can also use multiport network adapters or multiple switches.

Connecting Via Network Switches

Configuring Network Adapters Using the Filter Driver

All network adapters using the pylon GigE Vision filter driver must be configured before you can use them with your camera.

Changing the Network Adapter Connections

For all network adapters using the pylon GigE Vision filter driver, Basler recommends disabling protocols or services that may interfere with the pylon driver.

To disable protocols or services:

  1. Open the Network Connections window in the Windows Control Panel.
    For quick access, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the network adapter connection that is used with your camera and select Properties.
    The Properties window opens.
  3. Clear all check boxes except the pylon GigE Vision Driver and the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) check boxes:
    Network Adapter Properties Window
  4. Repeat steps 2 to 4 for all applicable network adapters.

Changing the Network Adapter Properties

For all network adapters using the pylon GigE Vision filter driver, Basler recommends optimizing the adapter properties.

To optimize the adapter properties:

  1. Open the Network Connections window in the Windows Control Panel.
    For quick access, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the network adapter connection that is used with your camera and select Properties.
    The Properties window opens.
  3. Click Configure.
    The configuration window of the network driver opens.
  4. Click Advanced.
  5. Adjust the following properties:

    Depending on the network adapter model, the parameter names of your network adapter may differ from the ones used below. Also, the way to set the parameters may differ, and some parameters may not be available.

    1. Set the Jumbo Frames (or Jumbo Packets) property to its maximum value.
      If there is no Jumbo Frames property, select the parameter that relates to frame size and set it to its maximum value.
    2. Select the parameter that relates to the number of receive descriptors (e.g., Receive Descriptors) and set it to its maximum value.
    3. Select the parameter that relates to the number of CPU interrupts (e.g., Interrupt Moderation Rate) and set it to a low value, e.g., 1000.
      The way to set the number of CPU interrupts may differ for your network adapter. You may have to use a separate parameter to enable the interrupt moderation.
    4. Select the parameter that relates to speed and duplex mode (e.g., Speed and Duplex Mode) and set it to automatic (e.g., Auto Negotiation).
  6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for all applicable network adapters.

Turning off Windows Firewall

You do not necessarily need to turn the Windows Firewall off. If you leave the firewall on, the camera is fully operational, with the following exceptions:

Therefore, Basler recommends turning the firewall off for the connections with Basler cameras.

Turning off Windows Firewall via Windows Control Panel

This option allows you to turn off the firewall for all connections.

To turn off the firewall via Windows Control Panel:

  1. Open the Windows Firewall window in the Windows Control Panel.
    For quick access, press Windows + R, type firewall.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. In the left pane, click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
    The Customize Settings window opens.
  3. In the Customize Settings window, find the network location section where you want to turn off firewall protection.
    Typically, this will be the Public network location settings section. However, if you use a dedicated network card, Basler recommends also disabling firewall protection for the other network locations.
  4. In the desired sections, click Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended).
    Windows Firewall Settings

Turning off Windows Firewall via Command Prompt

This option allows you to turn off the firewall for all connections.

To turn off the firewall via command prompt:

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. In the Run window, make sure that the message This task will be created with administrative privileges is displayed.
    Windows Run Dialog
  3. Press Enter.
    The command prompt window opens.
  4. Type netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off.
  5. Press Enter.

The firewall is turned off for all profiles. It is not possible to use netsh to turn off the firewall for selected connections only.

Turning off Windows Firewall via Advanced Security Settings

This option allows you to turn off the firewall for selected connections.

To turn off the firewall on selected network adapters:

  1. Press Windows + R, type wf.msc, and press the Enter key.
    The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window opens.
  2. Click Windows Firewall Properties.
    Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Window
    The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security on Local Computer Properties... window opens.
  3. Click the tab of the profile where you want to turn off firewall protection.
    Typically, this will be the Public Profile tab. However, if you use a dedicated network card, Basler recommends also disabling firewall protection for the other profiles.
  4. Click Customize.
    Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Settings
    The Protected Network Connections for the Public Profile window opens. The window lists connections where the firewall is turned on.
    Protected Network Connections Window
  5. Clear the connections where cameras are attached. This turns off their firewall protection.
  6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 for all profiles where you want to turn off firewall protection.

Network Adapter IP Configuration

These are the two most common ways to configure the IP addresses of network adapters:

Assigning a Fixed IP Address

To assign a fixed IP address to a network adapter:

  1. Open the Network Connections window in the Windows Control Panel.
    For quick access, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the network adapter connection that is used with your camera and select Properties.
    The Properties window opens.
  3. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
    The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window opens.
  4. Click Use the following IP address.
  5. In the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway fields, type the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway addresses.
  6. In the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields, type the primary and secondary DNS server addresses. (Normally, a domain name server is not needed.)
    Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties
  7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 for all applicable network adapters.

Assigning an IP Address via DHCP / Auto IP

When an adapter is configured to receive its IP address via DHCP / Auto IP, it operates as follows:

The default setting for most network adapters is DHCP / Auto IP. In most cases, the adapter used with your cameras will not have a DHCP server available. So with the default settings, the adapter will end up using automatic IP addressing to assign itself an IP address.

Only one adapter can be set to use Auto IP. If DHCP / Auto IP is configured on more than one adapter, the Auto IP assignment will not work correctly and the cameras will not be able to connect to the network via Auto IP.

If you have multiple network adapters in your computer, Basler recommends installing a DHCP server in your network or assigning static IP addresses to the adapters and to the cameras.

To assign an IP address using DHCP / Auto IP:

  1. Open the Network Connections window in the Windows Control Panel.
    For quick access, press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Right-click the network adapter connection that is used with your camera and select Properties.
    The Properties window opens.
  3. Double-click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).
    The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window opens.
  4. Make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected.
    This makes the adapter check for a DHCP server as its first choice.
  5. Click on the Alternate Configuration tab.
    The settings on this tab are used to configure the Auto IP address assignment that the adapter will use if no DHCP server is found.
  6. Make sure that Automatic private IP address is selected.
    Internet Protocol Version 4 Properties (Alternate Configuration)

Next Steps