Managing large systems

Network video products have a built-in web server which makes them accessible from the network. This built-in web server offers live viewing as well as authorized access to internal settings for con-figuration and firmware upgrades. For a system with a few network cameras or video servers, the built-in web server will prove sufficient in most instances. Larger systems may however require higher specification management tools.

Based on standard network protocols, a management tool can automatically find and display new devices on the network, even those without a valid IP address. By using a well-defined API such as the AXIS VAPIX™ API, the management tool can also display basic properties of the devices it has found including the model’s name and current firmware version. It also helps you set the IP addresses, shows connection status of local and remote video devices, and enables configuration and firmware upgrades of multiple units sequentially or in parallel. The use of a centralized management tool not only makes system maintenance easy, but also lowers overall maintenance costs.

AXIS Camera Management, scalable to hundreds of cameras, enables easy IP setting and installation of Axis network video products and is able to perform such tasks as configuration and multiple firmware upgrades.