To identify a device, the connector application should specify, in its Camera Discovery documentation, the allowed fields for identification. Typically, expected fields include the serial number (SerialNumber field), user identification (UserDefinedName field), IP address (for GigE devices, in the IPAddress field), and MAC address (for GigE devices, in the mac field). While these fields are commonly used, they are not mandatory, may not be available, and the connector application may introduce additional or alternative identification fields.
In the subsequent documentation, the term "DeviceID" refers to the identifying string that was used for a camera device upon opening the it. This exact string will then be used for identifying the opened camera device while it is used and until it is closed again. Only after that the camera device can be opened and used again with a different DeviceID. The value of the DeviceID can be one of the fields returned during the device info (see more details in chapter Open Camera Connection.
Using a different DeviceID for a camera device while it is open, even if it refers to the same device, may lead to errors. Exceptions to this rule are allowed if documented by the application.