email notification on motion IP cam

[Electryko 0]

Hello,

 

In most IP cams en encoders there's the option to send an email notification to a email address.

I wonder how to set this up within a LAN.

(i have an Axis209 and a 241Q)

Do I need a email server in my LAN or can I use my ISP email account?

In the Axis equipment I can program events and I like to get somekind of pop-up on my PC when motion happens.

I need some ICT help on this one.

[Kevin L 0]

Hello.

 

No, you don't need your own server. In most cameras you would setup your email account info, including the SMTP server info at your ISP, and use their server. All my cameras do this.

 

HTH,

Kevin

[Electryko 0]

thanks Kevin,

 

I set up my email account in the camera but it doesn't work.

My ISP seems to block port 25 for SMTP.

They are afraid for email bombs slowing down the network etc.

 

Is there any other way?

[cglaeser 0]

FWIW, I have never been able to send email from an Axis camera. I can send email from many computers and many other devices to many mail servers including my ISP ATT, gmail, and many of my mail servers hosted on remote servers, but not from an Axis camera. I can send email from Outlook, exacq server, the router, the NAS network storage, etc, etc, but not from an Axis camera. I have tried sending mail from an Axis 223M running 4.47 to as many different mail servers and using every reasonable configuration I can of, but it never works. Probably just doing something stupid, but I don't know what that is.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Soundy 1]

thanks Kevin,

 

I set up my email account in the camera but it doesn't work.

My ISP seems to block port 25 for SMTP.

They are afraid for email bombs slowing down the network etc.

 

Is there any other way?

Some ISPs may block you sending to other mail servers, which would block outgoing mail if you had your own SMTP server set up, but you should still be able to send mail to THEIR SMTP server. How else would you do it in Outlook/OE/etc.?

[cglaeser 0]

Some ISPs may block you sending to other mail servers, which would block outgoing mail if you had your own SMTP server set up, but you should still be able to send mail to THEIR SMTP server. How else would you do it in Outlook/OE/etc.?

 

I have tried using the same servers and configurations that I use in Outlook and attached devices with no success. Now, sbcglobal.net does require SSL over port 465 and I don't know if the Axis can support SSL, but I can send email via gmail and other SMTP servers just fine using Outlook and other devices attached to my LAN, but no go with Axis cameras.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Electryko 0]

I give up.

I've tried my ISP and gmail as well on several ports.

I get a "Primary server failed" message from the Axis209 config when i send a test mail.

It just doesn't work with the camera.

 

Instead i'll leave my recording server on for 24/7 and let the software send the mail.

 

Electryko

[cglaeser 0]

I give up.

I've tried my ISP and gmail as well on several ports.

I get a "Primary server failed" message from the Axis209 config when i send a test mail.

 

You are not alone. I never got Axis to work either. All my other cameras and devices can send email with no problem, but Axis does not work.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Kevin L 0]

I give up.

I've tried my ISP and gmail as well on several ports.

I get a "Primary server failed" message from the Axis209 config when i send a test mail.

It just doesn't work with the camera.

 

Instead i'll leave my recording server on for 24/7 and let the software send the mail.

 

Electryko

 

Since you still seemed to have the problem, I tried it with my one Axis camera. I can't get it to work, either. Keeps saying Primary Server Failed. It's not an ISP problem, as my ISP doesn't block 25 and I tried it with an alternate port and still didn't work. All my IQEye cams, my Panasonic, and my ACTi cam work fine on Port 25. No joy with the Axis.

 

I see Christopher has the same problem. Seems like it's Axis and not your ISP. Did you try Axis?

 

Kevin

[cglaeser 0]

I tried it with my one Axis camera. I can't get it to work, either. Keeps saying Primary Server Failed.

 

Thanks for testing this. I've been testing various Axis cameras and releases for a couple years and never got smtp to work. Now that three of us have reported the same problem with Axis cameras, it seems that the problem is with Axis and not our ISPs or LAN configurations.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Soundy 1]

Anyone tried setting up their own SMTP server right on their LAN and pointing to that? Are you using the FQDN of your SMTP server, or the IP? It's possible, if the device's DNS lookup doesn't work right, that the FQDN lookup isn't finding the server.

 

Try entering the IP instead - to get that, use a computer on the same network, open a command window (Start -> Run -> type CMD) , and enter "ping

". You should get four responses with the IP... similar to this:

 

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Soundy>ping shawmail

Pinging shawmail.cg.shawcable.net [24.71.223.43] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 24.71.223.43: bytes=32 time=381ms TTL=123
Reply from 24.71.223.43: bytes=32 time=274ms TTL=123
Reply from 24.71.223.43: bytes=32 time=452ms TTL=123
Reply from 24.71.223.43: bytes=32 time=351ms TTL=123

Ping statistics for 24.71.223.43:
   Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
   Minimum = 274ms, Maximum = 452ms, Average = 364ms

[Kevin L 0]

Thanks for testing this. I've been testing various Axis cameras and releases for a couple years and never got smtp to work. Now that three of us have reported the same problem with Axis cameras, it seems that the problem is with Axis and not our ISPs or LAN configurations.

 

You're welcome, Christopher. Amazing that a name-brand camera has problems with a simple function of IP cameras. I had never tried the Axis email before, since the Axis is my indoor camera and my alarm system would notify me if someone got in. All my exterior cameras email with any motion. I use that all the time. Glad I didn't get Axis for outside.

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[cglaeser 0]

Try entering the IP instead

 

Yes, I've tried that; it doesn't work. I have so many devices successfully sending email to so many different email accounts, I don't even know the total off the top of my head. They all work fine without any problems. Axis is the only one that fails, no matter which email account or port or domain name or IP address or you name it. If someone is able to send email from an Axis camera or video server, please let us know and post the details.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Soundy 1]

If someone is able to send email from an Axis camera or video server, please let us know and post the details.

Send me one and I'll figure it out for you

[Kevin L 0]

Anyone tried setting up their own SMTP server right on their LAN and pointing to that? Are you using the FQDN of your SMTP server, or the IP? It's possible, if the device's DNS lookup doesn't work right, that the FQDN lookup isn't finding the server.

Hi, Matt.

 

I didn't bother putting the IP in because I don't need to have this cam email me anything. I was just testing the settings to confirm if it was an Axis or ISP problem. The FQDN resolves properly, as I use it in all my outdoor cams (three different brands), my Elk XEP, and my Homeseer setup. All work just fine with the same settings. It's not a DNS problem. Hold on...

 

I just logged into the camera and changed to IP address. Still no joy. Same failure as before. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

Thanks,

Kevin

[Soundy 1]

^Yeah, I was thinking maybe the camera itself wasn't handling DNS lookup properly. Guess that's not it though.

 

What you could try, is using an SMTP server on your own LAN, and pointing at that... I've used this one before, the free version should be sufficient for testing: http://www.softstack.com/freesmtp.html

 

It has a live status display that will show you when a client connects, so you can see if the camera/server is actually communicating with it.

[Kevin L 0]

 

You might get that to work, Matt, but it's pretty crazy to have to do that with a top-tier camera manufacturer. I don't need my Axis to send my emails, so it doesn't affect me. But I'd be damned if I'd buy another if I needed the emails, even if there is a workaround.

 

Thanks,

 

Kevin

[thewireguys 3]

Have you tried to call Axis support? they are very good

[cglaeser 0]

I contacted Axis technical support. Axis cameras and video servers do not support SSL, so the majority of mail servers will not work. He suggested using the mail server gmx.net, which he has tested and says will work. Axis may add SSL to future cameras, but it's not currently under development, and existing non-H.264 cameras will likely never be supported.

 

Best,

Christopher

[cglaeser 0]

Send me one and I'll figure it out for you

 

I look forward to replacing all my Axis cameras and video server. The cameras have poor low-light performance, and the Q7404 is fine (if you overlook the lack of SSL), but D1 resolution is so yesterday.

 

Best,

Christopher

[cglaeser 0]

... it's pretty crazy to have to do that with a top-tier camera manufacturer.

 

I agree. I contacted tech support via live chat, and he would object to my use of the words broken or defect. According to Axis, it's not broken, they just don't support SSL. Whatever. It works fine in all my other devices. C'mon Axis, get with the program.

 

Best,

Christopher

[Soundy 1]

Interesting... my ISP doesn't require SSL on their SMTP server... they simply don't accept relay connections from outside their own network.

[Soundy 1]

Send me one and I'll figure it out for you

 

I look forward to replacing all my Axis cameras and video server. The cameras have poor low-light performance, and the Q7404 is fine (if you overlook the lack of SSL), but D1 resolution is so yesterday.

 

Best,

Christopher

 

 

Oh, well, send me all of them, then... I'll see that they find good homes

[Electryko 0]

I contacted Axis technical support. Axis cameras and video servers do not support SSL, so the majority of mail servers will not work. He suggested using the mail server gmx.net, which he has tested and says will work. Axis may add SSL to future cameras, but it's not currently under development, and existing non-H.264 cameras will likely never be supported

 

The SSL must be the problem, thanks for all your posts.

Last week i met a former Axis troubleshooter at a Genetec Omnicast meeting. This guy worked close with the Axis designers at Axis for some years. This guy was called the Axis-nerd of the company. He is also a certified network and Microsoft specialist. I will contact him but looking at all the previous post his answer will be the SSL problem.

 

Greets,

Electryko

[cglaeser 0]

I will contact him but looking at all the previous post his answer will be the SSL problem.

 

Don't be surprised if he bristles at the word "problem". It's a feature.

 

Best,

Christopher