Frequently Asked Question
Various ISP (Internet Service Providers) Limitation in Hosting CCTV or Any Server
Last Updated 4 years ago
All local (Singapore) internet connections are not set up in the same way by various Internet Service Providers.
Over the year, most of them had removed certain limitations on their internet connections, but some limitation still remains.
There are 3 type of limitations that the ISP may imposed on their network which may affect the feasibility of using their connection for setting up of server (which include CCTV Server).
MyRepublic puts all their subscribers under Private Dynamic IP Plan unless otherwise instructed to upgrade to Static IPv4 Add-On.
Download the application form from here : https://secure.myrepublic.com.sg/static_ip/MyRepublic%20Static%20IPv4.pdf
More information from MyRepublic : https://support.myrepublic.com.sg/entries/22940068-What-is-Static-IP-Do-I-need-it-
For Residential, it's a one time charges of $50, For Commercial, it's a recurring monthly charges of $50.
Without the Static IPv4 Add-On, it's NOT possible to host a server on MyRepublic Internet connection.
Starhub Cable Internet Connection
Starhub block port 80 on their cable connection.
Just reconfigure your server to use other ports than the blocked port.
Pacific Internet (Some very old plans. They are no longer around)
Pacific Internet block all ports below 8000 on their internet connection.
Just reconfigure your server to use other ports than the blocked port.
Starhub Mobile 3G with APN shwap
Some Starhub Mobile 3G data plan uses the shwap APN. These mostly are 3G Data plans that comes FREE with other services from starhub.
This APN uses Private Dynamic IP which prevent you from hosting any servers.
Check with starhub if you are able to switch to use shinternet APN instead of the shwap.
Otherwse, you'll need to subscribe to another 3G connection as this connection is not usable to host servers.
Do note that it's not recommended to host any servers using Dynamic IP 3G connection as the IP changes too fast in some situations, leading to the DDNS updating unable to keep up with the IP changes.
M1 Mobile
Certain M1 3G Data plan utilised traffic shaping. If you fee that the connection speed is too slow, switch off and on the 3G Modem and try again, hopefully to get a connection to another route that's not traffic shaped.
Otherwise, the only way out is to change to another internet connection.
Do note that it's not recommended to host any servers using Dynamic IP 3G connection as the IP changes too fast in some situations, leading to the DDNS updating unable to keep up with the IP changes.
Do note that this is not a exhaustive list of limitation. Do check with your ISP regarding the ability to setup server before signing up a contract with them.
Over the year, most of them had removed certain limitations on their internet connections, but some limitation still remains.
There are 3 type of limitations that the ISP may imposed on their network which may affect the feasibility of using their connection for setting up of server (which include CCTV Server).
- Ports Blocking
As the name goes, the ISP block certain incoming traffic ports. This prevents traffic utilizing these ports from originating from the internet to your internet connection.
(Read More)
Known Issues : Starhub Cable Broadband (Port 80), Pacific Internet (All Ports below 8000) - Private Dynamic IP
Due to the global shortage of IPv4 addresses, some ISP had resorted to assigning Private Dynamic IP to their subscribers.
Although this does not impact most of your internet experience such as streaming, surfing, P2P downloading or gaming, you may need a Static IP if you are looking to, host your own web servers, Use devices such as CCTV (surveillance cameras) and NAS, get remote access to your home workstation.
The ISP connect subscribers on their Private Dynamic IP plan to private internet router. As you do not have access to configure that router for port forwarding to route the internet traffic to you, you cannot set any servers that requires port forwarding.
(Read More)
Known Issues : MyRepublic, Starhub Mobile Broadband using APN shwap - Traffic Shaping
As ISP sign up more and more subscribers, sometimes they do not have enough bandwidth to cater to all their subscribers. These leads to some ISP practicing Traffic Shaping.
What the ISP does is that they gave priority to some traffic, while slowing down the others, mostly video streaming as video streaming takes up most bandwidth.
As some CCTV system stream over a standard protocol, the ISP is able to identify these traffic and place them on a less priority path, sometimes leading to very slow streaming such that the services get disconnected.
Known Issues : Some M1 Mobile Broadband
Internet Services Providers with known issues and possible resolution.
MyRepublicMyRepublic puts all their subscribers under Private Dynamic IP Plan unless otherwise instructed to upgrade to Static IPv4 Add-On.
Download the application form from here : https://secure.myrepublic.com.sg/static_ip/MyRepublic%20Static%20IPv4.pdf
More information from MyRepublic : https://support.myrepublic.com.sg/entries/22940068-What-is-Static-IP-Do-I-need-it-
For Residential, it's a one time charges of $50, For Commercial, it's a recurring monthly charges of $50.
Without the Static IPv4 Add-On, it's NOT possible to host a server on MyRepublic Internet connection.
Starhub Cable Internet Connection
Starhub block port 80 on their cable connection.
Just reconfigure your server to use other ports than the blocked port.
Pacific Internet (Some very old plans. They are no longer around)
Pacific Internet block all ports below 8000 on their internet connection.
Just reconfigure your server to use other ports than the blocked port.
Starhub Mobile 3G with APN shwap
Some Starhub Mobile 3G data plan uses the shwap APN. These mostly are 3G Data plans that comes FREE with other services from starhub.
This APN uses Private Dynamic IP which prevent you from hosting any servers.
Check with starhub if you are able to switch to use shinternet APN instead of the shwap.
Otherwse, you'll need to subscribe to another 3G connection as this connection is not usable to host servers.
Do note that it's not recommended to host any servers using Dynamic IP 3G connection as the IP changes too fast in some situations, leading to the DDNS updating unable to keep up with the IP changes.
M1 Mobile
Certain M1 3G Data plan utilised traffic shaping. If you fee that the connection speed is too slow, switch off and on the 3G Modem and try again, hopefully to get a connection to another route that's not traffic shaped.
Otherwise, the only way out is to change to another internet connection.
Do note that it's not recommended to host any servers using Dynamic IP 3G connection as the IP changes too fast in some situations, leading to the DDNS updating unable to keep up with the IP changes.
Do note that this is not a exhaustive list of limitation. Do check with your ISP regarding the ability to setup server before signing up a contract with them.