Why port forwarding is needed
When PanoraCast connects to your camera, it reaches out from the cloud to your camera's RTSP port. By default, your router blocks all incoming connections. Port forwarding tells your router to send traffic on a specific port to your camera's internal IP address.
Skip port forwarding with RTMP push
If your camera supports RTMP output (many Hikvision, Dahua, and professional cameras do), you can configure it to push the stream TO PanoraCast instead. This means no incoming connections, no port forwarding, and better security. Check if your camera has RTMP settings in its network configuration.
Step 1: Note your camera's internal IP
Before setting up port forwarding, you need your camera's LAN IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100). See our 'Finding Your Camera IP' guide if you don't know it. Also, set a static IP or DHCP reservation for the camera so the IP doesn't change.
Step 2: Log into your router
Open a browser and go to your router's admin page. Common addresses are 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. Log in with your router admin credentials (not your WiFi password — check the router label or manual).
Step 3: Create a port forwarding rule
Find the Port Forwarding section (sometimes under NAT, Virtual Server, or Advanced Settings). Create a new rule with these settings:
- Service name: Camera RTSP (or any label)
- External port: 554 (or a custom port for security)
- Internal IP: Your camera's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100)
- Internal port: 554 (or your camera's RTSP port)
- Protocol: TCP
Security: use a custom external port
Exposing port 554 directly is a security risk — bots constantly scan for open RTSP ports. Best practice: use a high random port externally (e.g., 39554) and forward it to internal port 554. Then in PanoraCast, use rtsp://YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:39554/... as the camera URL. Also ensure your camera has a strong password.
Step 4: Find your public IP address
Visit whatismyip.com or search 'my IP' on Google. This is the IP address you'll use in PanoraCast. If your ISP gives you a dynamic IP (most residential ISPs do), consider setting up DDNS — see our DDNS guide.
Step 5: Test the connection
In PanoraCast, use rtsp://user:pass@YOUR_PUBLIC_IP:PORT/path as the camera URL. Click 'Test Connection'. If it works, your port forwarding is configured correctly.
Common router interfaces
Port forwarding location varies by router brand:
- TP-Link: Advanced > NAT Forwarding > Port Forwarding
- Netgear: Advanced > Advanced Setup > Port Forwarding
- ASUS: WAN > Virtual Server / Port Forwarding
- UniFi: Settings > Firewall & Security > Port Forwarding
- Linksys: Security > Apps and Gaming > Port Range Forwarding
- ISP routers: Usually under Advanced Settings > NAT/PAT or Port Forwarding
Troubleshooting
Common issues:
- Double NAT — If your ISP router is in front of your own router, you need to port forward on both, or put the ISP router in bridge mode
- CGNAT — Some ISPs use Carrier-Grade NAT which blocks all port forwarding. Contact your ISP or use RTMP push mode instead
- Dynamic IP — Your public IP may change. Set up DDNS or check if your ISP offers a static IP
- Firewall blocking — Check both the router firewall and any software firewalls on the camera's network