iMac disconnecting ethernet after display sleep

[hugox30]

Hello, I am using an iMac as a security camera system/monitor. I am currently using a Reolink IP POE (Power over ethernet) Camera connected to a POE injector switch that is then connected to the iMac.

The iMac is running the camera from its ethernet port without being connected to the internet. I did this by setting up the IP address of both the iMac and camera. The system works great and has been running for several months.

My problem is that I cannot put the display to sleep without losing the ethernet connection. I tried setting up a hot corner, the keyboard shortcut, wake on network access...etc, but all methods seem to make the camera loose connection with the iMac. I also tried pinging the camera every 30 seconds, but that also does not work.

I have left the iMac on for several weeks at a time with the brightness set to minimum, but I know this will damage the screen overtime.

I would like to know if there is any way to shut the iMacs monitor off, but keep everything else as if the computer is on normaly.

iMac specs:

21.5 inch mid 2011

os x El Capitan 10.11.6

Thanks.

 

[hugox30]

Ok I don't want to jinx this, but I believe I found a solution.

I made a second administrator account and logging in to that while also logged in to the account with the camera software running seems to allow sleeping the display from the second account.

I know it works because the camera is saving videos to the iMac and i can see the latest pop up when i ssh or file share on my MacBook pro.

I believe this will also be a solution for anyone having issues with network (wifi/ethernet) on iMac when sleeping the display.