Confirm the local part first
Put the gateway device on a network that is allowed to reach the camera. Test the camera locally with its documented credentials and source. Discovery may not cross a guest network or VLAN, so an empty discovery list does not prove there are no cameras. If you know the supported address, add it explicitly. Check local network policy before changing it; a deliberate separation between devices may be protecting other equipment.
Pair the device deliberately
Download the appropriate gateway archive from the CamBackup gateway page and verify its checksum. Open its local dashboard, pair from an interactive CamBackup account session and import selected cameras. Camera credentials remain on that device. The cloud uses an outbound authenticated connection and explicit camera identifiers. New imports start with recording off, so check the name, view and recording entitlement before enabling cloud capture.
Keep the local dashboard local
The default dashboard binds to loopback. Treat remote exposure as a separate deployment decision requiring an HTTPS proxy and appropriate access controls. Do not put the dashboard directly on the public internet just to reach it from your sofa. The NCSC’s camera guidance cautions about remote-access settings such as automatic port opening; avoid changing router settings without understanding what becomes reachable. A gateway reduces the need to expose the camera’s own service publicly.
Plan for interruptions honestly
The gateway is not an offline recorder. Loss of internet or gateway power can leave a cloud recording gap, and reconnecting cannot recreate frames that were never received. Use an independent local recorder if offline continuity is essential. Test disconnect and recovery during a planned maintenance window, then inspect the timeline and play footage on both sides of the gap. Revoke a lost gateway from the account rather than assuming unplugging it invalidates its credential forever.
Sources & further reading
Official sources reviewed 17 October 2026. CamBackup workflow advice is our own; external guidance may change. Local privacy, employment and evidence rules depend on your situation.
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