Network and Security

The HyperCaster is a networked digital-video appliance with Ethernet connections and a number of integrated IP-based services. Prior to powering on your server please read the getting started document that contains information such as power requirements and instructions on how to set your IP address.

Security

TelVue® takes customer security very seriously and highly recommends the following to all TelVue customers:

  • The HyperCaster includes a basic, user-configurable, internal firewall that will help you restrict access to the HyperCaster. The basic, internal firewall should not be considered a security firewall. The internal firewall is very useful in controlling HyperCaster access within your local network.
  • Please place the HyperCaster and all TelVue products behind a strong firewall device to avoid Unauthorized Access, Denial of Service (DoS)-type attacks or other dangerous actions or activities launched from within your network or from the public Internet.
  • Consult your IT department for standard networking security practices including establishing an external firewall, remote access policies, or isolating your TelVue equipment from other network devices.

Core Networking Requirements

  • IP Address – A static or Dynamic (DHCP) IP will work, but a Static IP is highly recommended.
  • Subnet Mask
  • Gateway Address – The IP address of your router.
  • DNS Address – At least one Domain Name Server (DNS) address.
  • NTP Address – Public or private Network Time Protocol (NTP) server address.

Optional Networking Configurations

  • Port Forwarding

If your HyperCaster will only be available on your Local-Area Network (LAN), then no ports need to be opened on your hardware firewall (router). If your HyperCaster will be accessible from outside your firewall, then certain ports will need to opened on your router. Exactly how to do that is different for every router and is beyond the scope of this document, but looking up “Port Forwarding” online, for your router brand and model, will help.

Ports marked “optional” mean the function is optional.  If you want to use that function, you must forward port access.

Port Protocol Forward to Server Out Function
20/21 FTP/TCP optional optional File Transfer via FTP
22 SSH/TCP required required Secure remote support, upgrades, and monitoring
80 HTTP/TCP optional optional Remote access to Application Web Interface (User Interface) using http://
123 UDP required required Network Time Protocol (NTP) required to synchronize system clock with time server
443 HTTPS/TCP optional optional Remote access to Application Web Interface (User Interface) using secure https://
3000 HTTP/TCP optional optional Application Web Interface (User Interface)
50000 HTTP/TCP optional optional Website Program Guide (external schedule) via HTTP
50001 HTTPS/TCP optional optional Website Program Guide (external schedule) via secure HTTPS

TelVue® highly recommends that customers:

  • Change all default passwords and use strong passwords.
  • Place the HyperCaster behind a firewall device to avoid Denial of Service (DoS)-type attacks or brute force login attempts on the various services.
  • Use secure https:// port 443 access to the interface where possible to keep usernames and passwords secure.
  • Use a dedicated port for the Website Program Guide, preferably secure https:// port 50001.
  • Never enable Samba for external access.

Consider locking down remote access to service ports to known IP addresses. For example, if you would like to access your HyperCaster from home and your flat in Paris, you could limit remote access via your router firewall to IP sources coming only from those two locations.

Consult your IT department for standard networking security practices including establishing a firewall and remote access.

Map the Samba Network Drive

The HyperCaster’s media folder can be mapped to your desktop to upload media files and access hot folders for DVD Import, automatic import, and replacement files.

Configure the User Interface

Start the User Interface

TelVue recommends:

  • Mozilla Firefox, version 14 or higher
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer, versions 8 or higher
  • Google Chrome, version 16 or higher
  • Apple Safari, version 4.0 or higher
  1. Using a PC or Mac on the same network as your HyperCaster, open a browser window.
  2. Enter http://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn where nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn is the IP address of your HyperCaster.  If your HyperCaster is not connected to a network, enter http://1.1.1.1. The login screen is displayed. You can also use https:// for secure access that is preferable if available.HyperCaster Responsive Login
  3. The first time you login, enter psgadmin for the username and password to display the Dashboard.
  4. Click on the Config tab to display the Configuration screen.HC52ConfigTab
  5. Configure the channel(s) for your HyperCaster by editing the channel configuration.
  6. If this HyperCaster is connected to a switch, edit the switch configuration. You can name the devices on the input and output ports.
  7. If your HyperCaster is connected to an encoder or stream source, edit the feed setup.
  8. If your HyperCaster is connected to a remote server, edit the remote server configuration.

The HyperCaster is now connected to your broadcast network and ready to receive content.

Training Videos

Display and Configure Network Settings