Network Setup

Connect the NVR and cameras on your LAN: VLANs, DNS, hostnames, static IPs, and optional remote access.

The guides in this section assume a VLAN-capable router. If you're starting with a standard consumer router, see How much does your router matter? for what you can do today and what the path to full network isolation looks like.

Typical order for a new Argus install: camera VLAN on the router and switch, static IP for the NVR, DNS entries, then Caddy for friendly hostnames.

• Camera VLAN in OPNsense — Create the camera VLAN, DHCP, and firewall rules on OPNsense.
• Camera VLAN in TP-Link Switch — Assign VLAN tags on Argus TP-Link Easy Smart switches.
• DNS entries in OPNsense — Resolve names like frigate.internal to the NVR on your LAN.
• Caddy reverse proxy — Reach Frigate, Portainer, and Cockpit by hostname on ports 80 and 443.
• Static IP assignment — Give the NVR a fixed address so cameras and DNS always find it.
• Camera VLAN on other Routers/Switches — VLAN setup when you are not using OPNsense or TP-Link.
• Remote access with Tailscale — Reach the NVR securely from outside your home without opening ports.