[All Cameras] Why does the camera have a 169.254.X.X address?

Question

Why does the camera have a 169.254.X.X address?

Answer

The camera has a function that will automatically assign the camera an 169.254.X.X or as we called “Alias IP”.

This IP is configured to ensure users to be able to configure the camera even when it has been initially configured with another IP (not in the same subnet as the PC) or has no IP configured at all. But, you will only be able to access the camera using this IP by opening the Installation Wizard 2 or Shepherd (VIVOTEK camera discovery tools). These tools will create a virtual IP in the computer, allowing it to connect to the same network and subnet of the alias IP.

And, because the PC and camera both are in the same subnet, you will be able to find the cameras in the IW2/Shepherd. Note: the PC still needs to be in the same LAN configuration, if the PC is connected to another network configuration (external LAN) it wont be able to find the camera.

Installation Wizard 2

Shepherd

 

You can check this by opening the Windows console and type the “ipconfig” command:
 

 

If you don’t open one of these discovery tools you won’t be able to connect to the camera using the alias IP.

The main purpose of these self-assigned link-local addresses is to facilitate communication with other hosts within the subnet even in the absence of external address configuration.