How can you manage multiple IP cameras from a central location?

Consider the bandwidth requirements vs the physical and transport/network layer. Are you using Cat 6A on 10G or cat 5e on 100BaseT for your uplinks? Consider also the remote links between your remote site and your SOC. Is teh bandwidth sufficient? Latency is another consideration. If the video always lag by a few seconds, your guards lost the few seconds in responding to an incident. Select your ISP carefully and ask for their SLA. Look at the video compression techniques to avoid network congestion. This also help save storage costs. Does the network have redundant links ? If not are the cameras configured for local SD card storage. Configure the cameras to retransmit this locally stored footage when the link is reestablished.

Understanding your management tools (usually the VMS) architectural requirements pays dividends in driving the network requirements at a centralized location. From there it is essential to understand your network topology at the distribution layer and the IP cameras associated to each switch. Camera bitrate and power consumption should be reviewed against other devices attached to the switch to insure that there will be no conflicts in both throughput and power consumption. Once you understand your bandwidth requirement for each switch, you can then apply that information to the network architecture to determine if there are bandwidth pinch points such as cascading switches or slow trunk ports.

I agree that you need to consider your bandwidth needs; especially if recording to the cloud. Consider the use case; is it mobile or in areas where a network does not exist? Then wireless point-to-point or cellular may be options to consider. Select the best (fastest, largest bandwidth, most secure, etc.) that is available and is within budget. Take the extra effort to cyber-harden that network to prevent any potential cyber-dangers. Segment all security data (access, video, etc) from the rest of the network traffic using Vlans or other routing protocols. You should NEVER put your security data on the same network as the Wi-Fi. No one needs a visitor on the guest Wi-Fi pulling up the security camera feeds on their laptop.

Absolutely key! A stable steady network design will be key to ensuring minimal downtime for operators. Overload of network and incorrect specification of network switching and PoE devices is a huge problem throughout the industry.

Having a solid IT infrastructure is sometimes an assumption by sales person or system designer...but from a customer or business side it is a very important discussion to have with the client. Any brand of IP camera is built on that same assumption and must be taken seriously. Old network switches or POE devices are sometimes left for the technician to figure out, sometimes costing valuable installation time. A good measure for any new installation would be to replace any wire or switch installed over 10 years ago. Chances are, those switches and wires may cause issues down the road if not immediately during the installation. Speed is required for the high resolution video being shot these days.

Choosing the right cameras, enabling the most efficient compression, deciding how many frames per second needed for appropriate forensic review for the scene, using the appropriate network switches that can pass the bandwidth demand effectively, locking switch ports to MAC addresses of cameras to reduce collision for a stable network video system should all be considered

Configuration of IP cameras is essentially making sure each device is programmed with a new password vs. what is sent from factory. Each camera and NVR needs these credentials established with 8-12 character passwords. This helps ensure network security. Also, to add new cameras to NVR that is existing is important to keep same brand if possible for the simple purposes of making it easier to use.

One other step would be to: - Ensure devices have been installed with the latest, working firmware. Often new features and bug fixes are included in firmware updates (occasionally bugs are introduced), and it is as good a time as any to install on initial configuration. It's also beneficial to be on the latest commercial release when troubleshooting issues with vendors.

Industry-leading VMS platforms also include Genetec, Milestone, Lenel/S2, ExacqVision and a number of other technology providers that also include intrusion detection and access control in the overall platform offering.

With many new platforms there is nothing to install. You can access solutions such as Verkada, OpenEye and EagleEye on any web browser or smart phone.

Careful consideration before selecting a VMS should be given to the current IP cameras in your inventory, the cameras you expect to migrate to in the near future and what you want to do with your VMS. The VMS should have the capability to connect to the cameras, configure the cameras settings and take advantage of the cameras inventory of features, such as onboard motion detection, analytics, audio and IO. The VMS should have a regular cadence in software updates to address cyber security needs and model additions. The VMS should also provide users the ability to easily view live and recorded video from the cameras at the bare minimum.

VMS is the heart of the system. There are a lot of options to think about: -How is the compresion handle. -How is managed the Recordings. -Options to improve the recordings and Analytics. -Can handle UDP or just TCP protocol? (Network limitations). -How the system manage views, users, Video Walls. There is always a VMS that can cover most of your requirements. Industry Leading VMS normally can handles all.

Es lo adecuado para gestionar las cámaras ip y sus analíticos además de poder incluir varias marcas y gestionar el tiempo de almacenamiento.

So here again, having proper passwords established when tech is on-site will help insure that the remote viewing software can establish connection over the Internet!

Video is the elephant in the room with this topic, but most overlook the benefits of adding audio to the video system. It’s a missing element in most systems and can add volumes of information in an event. Think about it, nobody likes watching a movie with no sound.

Now is a good time to prepare the groups so you can add the camera(s) to the respective Group or User with the privileges. My recomendation is have it all on a spreadsheet so then is easy to add the cameras and avoid mistakes.

Consider implementing an AI VMS application to help streamline image monitoring and incident alerts. Several systems are available on the market today that sit on top of your existing VMS platform and integrate seamlessly, offering automatic alerts for incidents like active shooters, perimeter breaches, and suspicious activity.

Recording has become almost an assumption now. Digital Storage is very affordable now and easy to get long term storage solutions. Cloud storage is popular with residential applications and can also be done commercially with fast internet upload speeds required for good performance.

Two things here. Visualization of that video requires a lot of input from all possible users of the system. How many operators? How big is the room for the SOC? How is the video going to be displayed? Desktop, and/or Monitor Wall, and/or Both? Video is a huge part of that equation, but there’s also other sources that a monitor wall could display. Might want to write those down. Secondly, Alarm Notifications. It’s absolutely critical to have a detailed documented list of who’s responsible for what. Person1, person2, etc. All the contact info with backups.

Choose a Robust Health Monitoring Platform: Select a video-monitoring health platform that offers comprehensive features such as real-time status monitoring, alert notifications, and system diagnostics. Examples of reputable platforms include Milestone XProtect Health Check, Genetec Health Monitoring, and Axis Camera Health Monitoring. You can also use Viakoo or any other reputable IoT health monitoring and cybersecurity platform. "Health monitoring platforms are great, but I've noticed that some people in charge of security systems need to be more knowledgeable about technology to fix alerts quickly. Therefore, I suggest hiring an experienced company to solve these issues promptly and remotely.

As part of the management, the VMS should have the ability to push and update firmware to the attached cameras, monitor their health and alert when a camera (or the attached server has an issue). The VMS should also provide an auditing system to track changes and system utilization, and provide a means to prompt users on actions to take when a piece of the system fails.

Finding the right software tool(s) can be challenging. The Video Management System (VMS) has traditionally been the tool of choice. To manage and maintain cameras, end-users are now looking for tools to do firmware upgrades and mass password changes. While some VMS providers do this, most do batch firmware upgrades, which can take down a full batch of cameras while they reboot. Other tools offer sequential firmware updates, password changes, and lifecycle management; to alert when the asset is nearing its warranty to End of Life (EOL) support. The question to ask is, what level of management do you need? Is it just recording? Or is it something more?

Solutions like Ocularis updates automatically the camera firmware if you want, give you alarms based on status. On the other side you have to check the Server health for any issues, like Array or HDD problems. Check with the factory before update the OS of the server to avoid incompatibility.

One of the most overlooked things in maintaining an integrated IP camera system, or any network system for that manner is keeping current records of the devices that were installed. Model number, MAC, IP address, FW, installation Date, etc. This can be as simple as a properly formatted Spreadsheet, but it’s the best way to communicate to the factory when trouble shooting issues with tech support, if they arise. Secondly, when you get to the point of expanding the system, which you know will happen, a current SS and a good factory rep can plan almost any upgrades with much greater accuracy.

Think about consulting with a reliable physical security integrator company to help you through the process of implementing a full Video Management System (VMS).

Nowdays Security and Networking have to be seen like one. Some extra considerations to take care of: -Even though the switch can handle any amount of cameras, internally is a bandwith limitation, so is good to know the backbone of the switch. -POE switches have limitations per port and load, so is something to take care on calcs. -If the network is not Stable, is better to switch to UDP instead of TCP to avoid more network problems. -Use the right camera with the right mounts. -Hire an advisor specialist and train the installers to have great installation.

Today’s VMS landscape is in a state of transition. Retention strategies and op-ex/cap-ex strategies dictate the decisions between on prem vs VSaaS. I am generally directing customers to solutions like @YourSix for a flexible solution to their needs.

Extra notes: - Setup Security Roles and users in your VMS / VsaaS - backup list admin users and passwords , know recovery methods provided by vendors. - If using license codes, keep proper archival of these. - Check your backup policy and setup if using a VMS - As previously recommended by colleagues, keep a spreadsheet with camera and recorders locations with IP / MAC addresses port numbers and users/passwords. - It 's very difficult to have 100% protection against attacks or disasters, but you can restore 90 to 95% of your operation in a (relative) short time if you properly keep your backups, passwords and devices templates/ sheets

El primer paso consiste en revisar las normativas de cada industria, teniendo esta información se debe acudir a una empresa que garantice el funcionamiento adecuado. La empresa que manejo cuenta con certificaciones para vídeo, infraestructura y arquitectura red para brindar un servicio profesional, además de REPSE, y capacitación en DC3 para trabajos de cableado, trabajos en altura y contar con EPP. Esto sumado a la capacitación que brindamos a nuestros clientes asegura el éxito del proyecto. Fabricantes que puedo recomendar: Vídeo(Genetec, ISS, Hanwha, Flir), Infraestructura (Panduit, Systimax), Arquitectura de red (Cisco, Fortinet, Allied Telesis).