Device network services

The Apple apps expose supported device services in Device Settings, under Network. These settings belong to the camera or recorder. The device needs a working address, gateway and DNS to contact an outside server.

Protocol	Available forms, subject to device support
Xiongmai	E-mail, FTP, Alarm Server, Cloud and DDNS; UPnP in Access and Protocols
Hikvision / HiWatch	E-mail, FTP, Hik-Connect, DDNS and UPnP
ONVIF	No equivalent mail, FTP or vendor-cloud forms in Watchpost

Android uses the advanced editor for supported service blocks. It does not provide these Apple forms or their mail/FTP test buttons; Hik-Connect settings are unavailable there.

Mail from the device

Open E-mail and enter the SMTP server, port, encryption options, sign-in, sender and recipients. Use the options required by your server and supported by the device.

On Xiongmai, enable sending on events. The form also offers a subject and sending periods when reported; mail can go out only within enabled sending periods in device time. The event itself must enable the mail action, with an active event schedule.

Hikvision offers SSL/TLS/STARTTLS switches according to the response and sender/recipient names and addresses. The device does not show its saved password; enter a new one to replace it. Leaving the password field empty keeps the saved password. Select mail in the relevant event’s Reactions.

FTP uploads

On Xiongmai, enable FTP, enter the server and port, sign-in or anonymous access, destination folder and maximum file length where offered. Enable FTP in the event’s actions as well.

Hikvision’s FTP form configures snapshot uploads. It can offer an enable switch, anonymous sign-in, folder/subfolder naming rules and an interval for creating a new folder. An interval of 0 keeps snapshots in one folder. Choices follow device capabilities where supplied. Its empty password field keeps the saved password, as in mail.

FTP setup does not export an archive interval from Watchpost. To save existing recordings to your computer or phone, use Export recordings.

Test before saving on Xiongmai

Send a Test Message asks the device to send to the listed recipients. Upload a Test File asks it to sign in and upload a small file named Test to the configured destination.

Both commands send the settings currently shown in the form, including pending edits. They run immediately, before Apply or Write, and create a real message or file. Discard cannot recall either one. A successful test does not save the draft.

After an edit, the previous test result disappears. Repeat the test for the revised settings. The device may return a generic failure without identifying the cause; check its route to the server, port, encryption or sign-in, and the recipient or destination folder. Confirm delivery at the destination too.

These test controls belong to the Xiongmai forms. The Hikvision forms do not offer the same tests.

Alarm server and vendor push

Xiongmai’s Alarm Server configures alarm centers using the manufacturer’s protocol. Select the server entry, enable reporting, enter its address and port, then choose alarms or log entries. It is not a Watchpost hub. Relevant events also need the alarm-server action.

In Cloud and DDNS, the push section configures the vendor’s mobile-app server and reporting interval where offered. These vendor services do not control Watchpost’s direct event reception or Mac notifications.

Cloud access and firmware

Xiongmai’s Cloud and DDNS can enable access through the vendor cloud and show its last-read status and Cloud ID. If Watchpost currently connects by Cloud ID, disabling that cloud can remove your access. Arrange an address-based connection before writing.

The same page can offer cloud firmware checking and automatic installation of important device updates. This configures the device’s own updater. Updating Watchpost is separate.

Hikvision’s Hik-Connect form controls cloud access, a custom server where offered and stream encryption. A wrong custom server or disabling cloud access can break account-based access. The status shows the last device reading, not proof that a pending cloud change works. An available verification code can be shown or hidden; other players may need it to open encrypted video.

This form does not sign you into a vendor account or grant another person access. See Hik-Connect accounts for those operations.

DDNS, ARSP and UPnP

DDNS reports an outside address to a naming service. Select the provider/entry, domain and service credentials, with server options where offered. A provider listed in the form does not prove that it still accepts this device. Read back its status and check the name after writing. DDNS alone does not open a route through the router.

Xiongmai can also offer ARSP, the manufacturer’s address-registration service. Select the entry and configure its server, credentials and update interval. This is separate from Watchpost’s site routes.

UPnP asks the router to expose device ports to outside connections. Xiongmai offers outside HTTP, DVRIP and mobile ports; Hikvision can offer automatic or manual port mappings with per-port switches. The router must support and accept the request. For remote access through a Watchpost hub or VPN, leave unnecessary public port mappings off.

Except for the explicit Xiongmai tests, these form edits wait for Apply… → Write. Review all pending blocks, then check their reread values and service results. Separate blocks can succeed independently. Canceling the review keeps the draft; Discard clears pending edits and leaves successful writes in place. See Advanced editor and backups.