[Lens & Sensor] ➔ [Digital Processing] ➔ [Compression] ➔ [Network Interface] ➔ [Router/Switch] IP Address Assignment

Assigns a unique address to the camera on the local network or internet.

For large installations (hundreds of cameras viewed by many clients), unicast (one-to-one streaming) would overwhelm the network. Using IGMP and multicast, a single camera stream can be sent once to the switch, and the switch replicates it only to ports that requested it.

Are you setting up a or a commercial/business system? Will the cameras be placed indoors , outdoors , or both ?