Frequently Asked Question

DeskCamera can configure access to a camera from the Internet or another external network by using UPnP port mapping. UPnP lets DeskCamera ask the router to create the required port forwarding rules automatically.

Use external access only when it is required. Opening ONVIF and RTSP ports makes the camera reachable from outside the local network, so use strong camera credentials and expose only the ports that are needed.

For the full DeskCamera port list and firewall details, see Ports used by DeskCamera and Configuring firewall rules.

Requirements

Before using DeskCamera UPnP, check the following:

- The DeskCamera PC is connected to a router that supports UPnP
- UPnP is enabled in the router settings
- The router has a public Internet IP address
- The network is not behind carrier-grade NAT or another router that blocks incoming connections
- Windows Firewall or domain firewall policy allows the DeskCamera ONVIF and RTSP ports

Instead of configuring your router directly, you can also use a VPN provider with UPnP support. For example: https://hide.me/en/knowledgebase/what-is-upnp-port-forwarding-and-how-can-i-enable-it/

How DeskCamera creates UPnP mappings

DeskCamera creates mappings for the ports used by the currently started camera:

- ONVIF TCP port, used by the NVR/VMS to add and control the camera
- RTSP TCP port, used by the NVR/VMS to receive the video/audio stream

By default, DeskCamera uses the same external port number as the internal port number. You can change the External Port value in the port mapping dialog if the router requires a different public port.

DeskCamera keeps dynamic ONVIF and RTSP ports stable across upgrades, application restarts, and Windows user switching. This helps external NVR/VMS connections keep using the same mapped ports after reconnects.

Configure UPnP port mapping

1) Start the DeskCamera camera
2) Open the external access or port forwarding configuration dialog
3) Check Enable external access to the camera(s)
4) Set Port forwarding to Automatic with UPnP
5) Select the detected UPnP router
6) Set External IP to Auto, or enter the public IP manually
7) Check the ONVIF and RTSP rows in the mapping list
8) Change External Port values only if needed
9) Click Apply & Validate

When validation succeeds, the UPnP check confirms that the router mapping exists, and the Port open check confirms that the mapped port is reachable externally.

Adding DeskCamera to an external NVR/VMS

After UPnP mapping is configured, add DeskCamera to the external NVR/VMS by using:

- The configured External IP
- The external ONVIF port shown in the port mapping dialog
- DeskCamera ONVIF username and password

If the NVR/VMS uses a direct RTSP URL instead of ONVIF discovery, use the external IP and the external RTSP port. For direct RTSP URL details, see How to retrieve direct RTSP URLs for DeskCamera streams.

Multi-user mode notes

In Shared mode, the PC appears as one shared DeskCamera camera and normally requires one ONVIF mapping and one RTSP mapping.

In Per-user mode, each Windows user can have a separate DeskCamera camera. Each per-user camera can have its own ONVIF and RTSP ports, so each required camera must have its own external mappings.

If settings are locked, unlock them before changing port forwarding settings. For Shared and Per-user mode, see Multi-user Mode and Lock Settings.

Security notes

Recommended precautions:

- Use strong camera credentials
- Expose only the ONVIF and RTSP mappings that are required
- Do not expose browser management ports to the Internet unless there is a specific need
- Remove UPnP mappings when external access is no longer needed

For application password protection, see Protect DeskCamera with an App Password.

Troubleshooting

If UPnP does not work:

1) Confirm the camera is started before opening the port mapping dialog
2) Confirm UPnP is enabled in the router
3) Confirm DeskCamera detected the correct UPnP router
4) Confirm the router has a public Internet IP address
5) Check for double NAT or carrier-grade NAT from the Internet provider
6) Check Windows Firewall, domain firewall policy, or third-party endpoint protection
7) Try a different external port if the router reports a conflict
8) If automatic UPnP is blocked by the router, use Manual rules in router and create the same ONVIF and RTSP forwarding rules manually

Watch the video how to configure DeskCamera UPnP