Short answer: The quickest way is ONVIF discovery: any ONVIF-capable software sends one message on your local network and every conformant camera answers with its address. If that misses some, check your router’s list of connected devices, scan for the RTSP port (554) with a tool like nmap, or use the camera maker’s free discovery utility.
1. ONVIF discovery
ONVIF cameras listen for a discovery message (WS-Discovery) sent to a multicast address on UDP port 3702. Software sends one probe; every camera on the same network replies with its address and what it is. It needs no login, which is why VMS software can list cameras before you’ve entered any passwords.
Limits worth knowing:
- It stays on one subnet. Multicast doesn’t cross routers or VLANs by default, so cameras on a separate camera network won’t answer a laptop on the office network.
- Some cameras have it switched off, or have ONVIF off altogether. Turn it on in the camera’s web settings.
- Some Wi-Fi access points and managed switches filter multicast. Try from a wired connection on the same network as the cameras.
2. Your router’s device list
Every device that got its address from the router (DHCP) appears in the router’s client list, usually with a name and a MAC address. The first half of a MAC address identifies the maker, so cameras are easy to spot even when they have no name.
3. Scan for the camera ports
Cameras almost always answer on the RTSP port, 554, and a web port, 80 or 443. A scan of your range finds them even when discovery is off:
nmap -p 80,443,554 --open 192.168.1.0/24
Swap in your own range. Anything with 554 open is very likely a camera or a recorder. Only scan networks you’re responsible for.
4. The maker’s discovery tool
Most makers offer a free utility that finds their own devices, Axis IP Utility for example, and can usually also find cameras that haven’t been given an address yet.
Camera on a different subnet?
A camera reset to factory settings may come up on a default address in a range your network doesn’t use, so you can’t reach it. Give your computer a second address in that range temporarily, connect, and set the camera to your network’s range or to DHCP.
Once you’ve found it
- Reserve its address in the router, or set a fixed one, so it doesn’t change and break your recordings.
- Change the default password. Many cameras now force this on first login; older ones don’t.
- Turn on ONVIF and create an ONVIF user if the camera asks for one.
- Update the firmware.
- Set the clock to your network’s time server, so timestamps line up across cameras.
How Supervision finds cameras
Supervision sweeps your subnet for cameras and NVRs of any brand, with no login needed to find them. Enter a device login once and each stream comes in over ONVIF or plain RTSP; an NVR brings in all its channels. Every stream is checked before anything is saved.
Common questions
Why can’t my software find a camera?
Usually one of four things: the camera is on a different subnet or VLAN, ONVIF or discovery is switched off, a switch or Wi-Fi access point is blocking multicast, or the camera simply isn’t on the network (check its power and cable).
What port does an IP camera use?
RTSP video is usually on port 554; the web settings page on 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS). ONVIF commands normally go over the web port.
Is it safe to open camera ports to the internet?
No. Exposed cameras are a common way into a network. Watch from outside through your VMS over a VPN or the vendor’s secure remote access instead.
Supervision is self-hosted video management software for any camera brand. If this is the kind of problem you're solving, tell us about your cameras and we'll talk it through, or email hello@bipolarfactory.com.