| You love your pets. I know I sure do. My dog is a | | | | job done and can be purchased at a reasonable |
| very important part of my family and I hate | | | | cost (between $100 to $150 US dollars). More |
| having to leave him alone all day while I'm at | | | | advanced (and expensive) models add features |
| work. That is why I installed what I call the | | | | such as Pan and Zoom - nice to have features, |
| 'PetCam' - a web enabled IP camera that allows | | | | but not must haves. |
| me to check in on my dog from any location via | | | | If you already have a DLINK or Linksys router, it |
| the world wide web. And guess what, it turns out | | | | may be a good idea to stick with the same |
| that Fido is quite busy while I'm away - and he | | | | manufacturer for your Internet Camera as the |
| has an incredible internal clock - he gets very | | | | included documentation will provide more specific |
| agitated about an hour before I return home | | | | router configuration information. |
| from work - who knew! | | | | OK, so how do we get this remarkable little |
| Installation of a web enabled Pet Cam is actually | | | | device to broadcast video to the Internet. The |
| quite easy to do. The first thing you need is high | | | | first thing we need to do is configure the new |
| speed Internet. Sending video over the web | | | | internet camera. This usually involves establishing a |
| requires both speed and a healthy bandwidth | | | | wired connection to the camera from your router. |
| allocation from your internet service provider, so | | | | You then load the configuration software onto |
| make sure to check with your ISP on any | | | | your computer and proceed with the setup as |
| existing bandwidth caps. Both Cable and DSL | | | | specified by the documentation. |
| Internet services are idea for this application. | | | | The first thing the software will do is detect the |
| Next, you will need a router to which you will | | | | new camera and have you specify a unique IP |
| connect your internet camera. If you want the | | | | address for the device - try to avoid using DHCP, |
| freedom of a wireless IP camera (recommended), | | | | as a static IP address is preferable. If you are |
| a wireless router will be required. Most IP cameras | | | | using a wireless camera, you will need to |
| come with a CAT5 Ethernet connection, but who | | | | configure the wireless settings for the camera, |
| wants cables running all over the house! This | | | | including any security passwords for WEP or |
| article assumes that you already have a router | | | | WPA. Additionally, you will need to identify and |
| installed and functioning with a high speed Internet | | | | document the port number used by the camera |
| service. | | | | to communicate with the outside world (some |
| Now comes the fun part - choosing the right | | | | cameras let you choose the port). |
| camera for the job. Because we are looking at | | | | If your internet service does not have a static IP |
| transmitting video over the Internet, the best | | | | address, you will need to open an account with a |
| choice is an Internet IP camera. Do not confuse | | | | dynamic DNS service provider such as This |
| these cameras with a webcam. Although they | | | | service provides you with a free domain name |
| might look similar, Internet cameras are a small | | | | which will automatically detect any changes in |
| computers with a built in web server. Unlike a | | | | your home IP address. Most cameras will have a |
| webcam, they are independent entities that do | | | | configuration page where you can enter your |
| not require an external computer to function. | | | | dynamic DNS settings. |
| They are the ultimate independent contractor! | | | | All that is left is to do is open a port on your |
| Keep in mind that most Internet IP cameras | | | | router, a process referred to as port forwarding. |
| work with CMOS video sensors, therefore even if | | | | This will allow the camera to communicate with |
| night vision is offered, it probably won't work | | | | the outside world in a secure fashion. |
| very well - these cameras are meant for well lit | | | | This may all sound a bit complex, but it is actually |
| applications. | | | | quite easy to do if you are even mildly tech |
| I strongly recommend the Linksys WVC54GCA | | | | savvy. If you need assistance, a quick call to your |
| and DLINK DCS950G Internet Cameras - both | | | | local Nerds on Wheels service should have you up |
| are great entry level IP cameras that will get the | | | | and running in no time at all. |