CCcam sharing: server and client setup 2026

CCcam sharing is not magic and not "just downloaded and it works." Behind the simple interface lies a specific protocol with握handshaking, session encryption, and a strict config format. If even one field is incorrect, you get a blank screen and wonder where it broke. This material dissects the protocol down to the bones: from the principle of ECM/CW exchange to real diagnostic commands.

What is CCcam sharing and how does the protocol work

Let's start with the mechanics. Your receiver receives an encrypted DVB stream, cannot decode it itself, and sends an ECM (Entitlement Control Message) request to the server via a TCP connection. The server, which has a physical smart card or emulator, decrypts the ECM and returns a CW (Control Word) — an 8-byte key that your receiver uses to open the stream. This entire cycle must fit within ~200–400 ms, otherwise freezing begins.

The principle of card sharing: ECM, CW, and DCW

ECM is updated every 10 seconds (crypto-period). DCW is the same as CW, just a term from the documentation of decoders. It is important to understand: the server does not "grant access" in the everyday sense — it simply responds quickly to each request with a key. If the response arrives after the crypto-period change, the frame is black.

The delay consists of: ping to the server + ECM processing time on the server + number of intermediate hops. A ping of 20 ms and 3 hops already gives a different result than a ping of 5 ms and 1 hop.

The role of the server and client in the scheme

The server holds a physical card (or several) in a card reader, runs the CCcam daemon, listens on port 12000 TCP, and distributes CW to connected clients. The client is your receiver on Enigma2, VU+, Dreambox, or any other Linux box that has CCcam or OScam installed in client mode.

One server can serve dozens of clients, but each parallel ECM request increases the load. With 50+ active F: lines, ECM time starts to creep up — especially if there is only one card.

Versions of the CCcam protocol and compatibility

Current relevant builds operate on branch 2.3.x. Branch 2.1.x is still found on older receivers, and there is a handshake incompatibility with 2.3.x servers. The symptom is that the server sees the connection but immediately drops it. Check the version:CCcam -v in the terminal.

If the server is on 2.3.x and the client is on 2.1.x — either update the client, or the server must support fallback. Some builds can do this, some cannot. It is better not to rely on compatibility and synchronize versions.

How CCcam differs from OScam, MgCamd, and NewCamd

CCcam is a proprietary protocol with its own handshake and session encryption based on SHA-1. OScam is open, modular, and supports multiple protocols simultaneously (cccam, newcamd, camd3). MgCamd uses the newcamd protocol and works slightly differently in terms of request format.

In practice: CCcam is easier to set up quickly, OScam is more flexible for fine-tuning and logs better. NewCamd/MgCamd is encountered less frequently, mainly on older installations.

Setting up a CCcam server: configuration files and paths

The main configuration file is/var/etc/CCcam.cfg. Some builds have/etc/CCcam.cfg — it depends on the distribution. The smart card keys are located in/usr/keys/. After editing the config, restart:/etc/init.d/CCcam restart orkillall CCcam&& CCcam&.

Structure of /var/etc/CCcam.cfg

The minimum working server config looks like this:

SERVER LISTEN PORT : 12000

The directiveSERVER LISTEN PORT : 12000 — the port on which the server accepts clients. If the ISP blocks 12000 (this happens), change it to any unoccupied port above 1024, for example, 15000 or 10000.WEBINFO LISTEN PORT: 16001 opens the web interface for monitoring.LOGLEVEL from 0 to 3: keep 1 in production, set 3 during debugging.

File permissions for the config file:chmod 644 /var/etc/CCcam.cfg. If the daemon is running as root — it will work, but better to use 640 with the correct owner.

The CCcam.prio file and CAID priorities

File/var/etc/CCcam.prio manages which card to use for which channel. Line format:CAID:provider:srvid:uphops:downhops. Example:

0500:032820:0:0:1

The first line says: for CAID 0500, provider 032820 use the card with 0 uphops and a maximum of 1 downhop. If this file is empty or missing — CCcam will choose the card itself, sometimes suboptimally. In case of issues like "the channel is there, but no picture" — check here first.

Typical error: CAID matches, but provider id is not correct. The channel is technically found, but decoding does not proceed because CCcam.prio points to a different provider. Check the provider id through WebInfo.

The CCcam.channelinfo and CCcam.providers files

CCcam.channelinfo contains the mapping SID → channel name. Without it, WebInfo shows numbers instead of names — not critical, but inconvenient.CCcam.providers maps CAID:providerid → readable provider name. Both files are optional but significantly simplify diagnostics.

Parameters for F: line for local users

LineF: — is a description of the user who is allowed access to the server. Full format:

F: username password uphops downhops ident

Specific example:F: john secretpass 1 1 0

• username — client login
• password — password (case-sensitive)
• uphops — how many hops up the client can "see" (1 = only local cards)
• downhops — how many hops down are allowed to be passed (0 = not allowed)
• ident — restriction by CAID:provider (0 = no restrictions)

With a large number of F: lines, the server starts to lag under load. Each active line is a separate thread with memory and ECM processing. If you keep 100+ users on one card — ECM time grows non-linearly.

Client configuration: C: line and connection to the server

On the client side (your receiver), you need a lineC: in the same fileCCcam.cfg. Format:

C: server.host 12000 username password no { 0:0:2 }

Format of the line C: hostname port username password

Let's break down each field:

• server.host — IP or hostname of the server. If the server has a dynamic IP, a DDNS is needed (for example, DynDNS or your own ddclient)
• 12000 — port (must match the SERVER LISTEN PORT on the server)
• username / password — exactly as in the F: line on the server, case-sensitive
• no — wantemu flag:no means "do not request emulation,"yes — allow
• { 0:0:2 } — nodeid and parameters;0:0:2 — default value

The minimum working line without extra parameters:C: 192.168.1.100 12000 john secretpass. The rest will be filled in by CCcam with defaults.

Additional no/yes flags and nodeid

The flagwantemu (the third parameter after the password) affects whether the client requests emulated cards from the server. For most cases —no. NodeID is a unique identifier for the client on the network; if not explicitly set, CCcam generates it automatically based on the MAC address. A conflict of nodeid between two clients with the same login can lead to periodic disconnections.

Connecting multiple lines and redundancy

MultipleC: lines in the config are parallel connections. CCcam will try all of them and choose the one that responded first. This is redundancy: if the main line goes down, the second one takes over.

But be careful: if two lines provide the same CAID from different servers, CCcam may alternate them unpredictably. Manage priority through CCcam.prio, rather than relying on auto-selection.

Checking status via WebInfo and telnet

WebInfo is available at the addresshttp://<IP receiver>:16001. It shows: active C: and F: lines, card status, ECM time for each channel, number of hops. This is the first place to go when there are problems.

Telnet:telnet<IP receiver> 23, then the commandlog — live decoding log. The commandinfo shows the server status. If telnet does not respond — checkALLOW TELNET : yes in the config.

OScam as an alternative: config migration

OScam is an open emulator that can work as a CCcam client, as a server, and as a bridge between protocols. Configs are split into files, not lumped into one, which is more convenient for complex installations.

Structure of oscam.conf, oscam.server, oscam.user

Main paths:/etc/tuxbox/config/oscam/ or/var/etc/oscam/ — depends on the build. Three key files:

• oscam.conf — global parameters (logging, webif, ports)
• oscam.server — description of readers (physical cards or external CCcam servers)
• oscam.user — description of clients (analog F: line)

Minimumoscam.conf:

[global]

CCCam protocol in OScam (reader type)

To connect OScam to a CCcam server as a client, inoscam.server you add a reader:

[reader]

Parametercccversion critical — it must match the server version.ccchop limits the number of hops that OScam requests.

Transfer F: and C: line to OScam format

F: line from CCcam becomes an entry inoscam.user:

[account]

C: line — this is a reader inoscam.server withprotocol = cccam, as shown above. The syntax is fundamentally different, but the logic is the same.

Advantages of OScam under high load

OScam handles ECM queues better with many simultaneous clients. Logging is more detailed: you can see each ECM request with response time, source, and reason for failure. Webif on port 8888 shows more details than CCcam WebInfo.

But: OScam is more complex to set up initially. If you just need to set up one client with two lines — CCcam is faster. If you are building a server under load with multiple cards and dozens of clients — OScam justifies the time spent on configuration.

Diagnosis and troubleshooting of common errors

Most problems with cccam sharing fall into three categories: not connecting at all, connecting but no picture, connecting and there is a picture, but with freezes. Each case is treated differently.

Connection refused and closed ports

The first check — the port is indeed open:

telnet server.host 12000

If "Connection refused" — either the daemon is not running, or the port is closed by the firewall. On the server:

netstat -tlnp | grep 12000

If there is no line — CCcam is not running or listening on another port. If there is a line, but telnet from the outside does not pass — the problem is with the firewall or NAT. For NAT, port forwarding is needed: forward TCP 12000 on the router to the server's IP.

With a dynamic server IP, the client will lose connection after the address changes. Solution: DDNS service + ddclient on the server that updates the record. Then in the C: line, use hostname instead of IP.

Error FOUND but no decode / no picture

The channel is in the list, the ECM request goes out, but there is no picture. This is the most unpleasant case — the connection works, but something is wrong with decoding. The algorithm:

1. Check the channel CAID (via WebInfo or log) and compare it with what is on the server
2. Check the provider id — CAID matches, but provider does not → there will be no picture
3. Look at CCcam.prio — perhaps the wrong priority is set for this CAID
4. ECM time in WebInfo — if >800 ms, CW arrives later than the key change

Second conflict on one receiver: if two softcams (for example, CCcam and MgCamd) are running simultaneously, they conflict over the same descriptor. Keep only one active softcam.

Frequent drops and freezes on HD channels

HD and UHD channels require more bandwidth and more frequently update the crypto-period on some packages. Freeze with normal ping — a sign of insufficient bandwidth between the receiver and the server, or an overloaded server.

Additional check:tcpdump -i eth0 port 12000 will show if there are TCP retransmits or pauses in the stream. A large number of retransmits → a network problem, not a config issue. If the server responds, but with a delay >500 ms — it is likely overloaded or a multi-level reselling line with 4+ hops.

Analysis of CCcam logs and tcpdump

CCcam log:cat /var/log/CCcam.log | tail -100 or in real time:tail -f /var/log/CCcam.log. Search for lines withECM,TIMEOUT,CONNECT,DISCONNECT.

tcpdump for capturing sharing traffic:tcpdump -i eth0 -w /tmp/cccam.pcap port 12000. Then open it in Wireshark on the desktop — you can see the handshake, pauses, connection resets. If you see TCP RST from the server right after the handshake — incorrect login/password or version incompatibility.

How to choose a line provider: objective criteria

There will be no list of services here. Only metrics that you can check yourself during the trial period.

Quality metrics: ECM time, uptime, hops

ECM time — the main indicator. Less than 200 ms — excellent. 200–400 ms — acceptable. More than 400 ms — problems will start on some channels, more than 600 ms — freezes are guaranteed. Check through WebInfo in the ECM column or in the OScam log.

Server uptime over the period — don’t trust the numbers on the provider's website. Test it yourself: set up the line for a week, check the logs for the number of disconnections and their duration. One disconnection once a day for 30 seconds — tolerable. Five disconnections in one night — unacceptable.

Support for required CAID and packages

Before taking a line, find out the exact CAID and provider id of the channels you need. You can find out the CAID through WebInfo on a working line or through resources with CAID databases. Then ask the provider directly — is a specific CAID:providerid supported. Vague "we support everything" — red flag.

Local card vs reseller line

Local card = 1 hop. A reseller resells someone else's line — that’s already 2–4 hops. Each hop adds delay and a point of failure. In WebInfo, check the uphops value for the card: 1 — local, 2+ — reselling.

Reseller lines are cheaper but less stable. All else being equal, a local card with 1 hop outperforms a reseller with 3 hops even with the same ping. The parameteruphops in F: line on the server limits the depth of the chain — do not allow clients to see more than 2 hops.

Trial period and stability

A normal provider gives a trial line for 24–48 hours. This is enough to run it through real conditions: enable ECM time logging, observe behavior during peak hours (evening, weekends). If the line works great during the trial period but degrades after payment — this is a sign of an overloaded server where test accounts are prioritized.