There are many differences in implementation of regular IP cameras and P2P IP cameras. Knowing the differences can help you decide which is right for you.
In simple terms, a P2P camera is an IP camera that, thanks to the software inside, can identify and receive remote connections using a unique number (ID number) without using a static IP address or its substitutes (such as DDNS).
The secret for popularity of P2P-cameras is simple: they were designed to simplify the installation of the IP camera by the end user, even by a non-expert user with no network skills.
The principle behind P2P (Peer to Peer) cameras.
When a P2P camera is connected to the Internet (via a router or 3G connection), the camera automatically sends a request to a remote server that identifies the camera by its unique ID number. To access the camera and view the video, the user needs to install a special application from the developer of the P2P camera on their device (computer or mobile devices). In this application, the user enters the ID number of the camera (or scans the camera’s QR code to not enter the code manually), and they can watch the video from the camera online, view the video archive from the SD card, control the pan-tilt-zoom device and use other functions. The server acts as an intermediary connecting the IP camera and the user P2P application on the user device.
P2P Camera <-> P2P Server (in cloud) <-> P2P App (on computer or phone)
Cons of P2P cameras. Since P2P is a technology that works inside the same network, the owner of such a camera often gets tied up to the brand that owns the cloud server providing connectivity. The P2P connection will not work in third-party programs, no matter how good they might be, unless the program is integrated with a particular camera line (or with a particular cloud server that connects the camera to the application).
Setting up regular IP cameras is not as convenient as using the P2P cameras. (You may need technical support from the ISP to provide port forwarding for an IP camera. Though, to be fair you may need technical support from the manufacturer to set up the P2P cameras.)
1.1 Select an IP camera that provides support for sub-domain names from a DDNS provider. Not all IP cameras provide this support. You must also decide between wireless battery operated camera or a wired camera. If you get a wired camera, be sure it provides power over ethernet (PoE) , so you do not have both power and data cables to each camera. PoE cameras run off the power provided through the ethernet cable. A power adapter for the ethernet cable is needed before it connects to a switch or router.
1.2 Sign up and get a sub-domain name from IP camera DDNS providers. There is a wide range of free and paid DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) service providers available. They include duckdns.org and no-ip.com.
1.3 Connect the camera. Access the camera manufacture’s configuration page, and follow their instructions. You will need information provided by the DDNS provider.
1.4 You should now be able to view the camera feed on your home network in the camera manufacture’s client app. You can also use VLC media player for Linux computers. There is an application for PC’s to determine the address of your IP camera. The application is a download called ONVIF Device Manager. Use it to test your IP camera if it is ONVIF compliant (many cameras are).
1.5 If you use a computer or browser outside your network to view you IP camera feed there is one more step. You must enable port forwarding on your router. Ports are entry ways into your camera. The IP address combined with the port designation describes where a signal travels to. When you open a browser outside your network and enter the IP address and port number you will see the input of the camera. The router must open ports to allow you into the network to see the camera. This is called port forwarding.
1.6 As you can see there is a lot of moving pieces to a traditional IP camera setup.
I have used both types of cameras. Both required technical support. As you can see there is a lot of moving pieces to a traditional IP camera setup. Traditional IP cameras require a fixed IP address, or a Hostname address provided through a Dynamic Domain Name System. The Dynamic Domain Name System provides a way to track your camera through a Hostname for the camera.
Another requirement for traditional IP cameras is modification of the firewall in your home router to allow port forwarding or port mapping to your local network. Again this is because a Hostname or fixed IP address is required for the camera. Your internet provider is not going to like modification of the firewall.
A P2P camera works a little differently. The camera is identified by a unique ID number. Working similar to a cell phone. The camera is connected to the server with the unique ID, and the unique ID is connected to the viewing device. The viewing device is either a phone or a computer.
