Documentation for Axxon One 1.0.

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Setup

Axxon One Setup Checklist and Best Practices

Before you install Axxon One:

  1. Make sure all Servers are connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and have unique IP addresses.
  2. To prevent frequent system updates, which can cause system inoperability, it is recommended to use Windows 10 LTSB or Windows Server (see Operating system requirements).
  3. Install all the latest Windows service/update packs.
  4. Synchronize the system time with world time and specify the correct time zone.
  5. For each Server, specify a unique Windows host name.
  6. Specify a new password for the account of local administrator.
  7. Synchronize the time of all Servers and IP devices.
  8. Create another administrator account for backup. Specify a password for it.

Hardware setup:

  1. On each Server, install an additional SSD specifically designed for storing metadata. It is highly recommended not to store the metadata either on the system drive or on the drive to which the archive will be recorded.
  2. If the total size of an archive on one Server exceeds 30 TB, then it is necessary to divide it into several logical disks less than 30 TB each. For example, if the planned total archive size is 100 TB, divide it into 4 logical disks, 25 TB each. This will increase the recording stability and eliminate the risk of data loss.
  3. If you are going to use any kind of video analytics (including motion detection for motion-based recording and other detection tools), it is recommended to use an NVIDIA GPU to increase system performance. For specific GPU requirements, see Hardware requirements.

Axxon One installation (see Installation):

Recommendation on how to choose the installation type:

Server and ClientFailover Server and Client
Choose this type of installation if you have no more than 5 Servers in one location, which should operate within the same Axxon-domain.Choose this type of installation if you have 5 to 30 Servers (minimum 3) in one location, which should operate within the same Axxon-domain.

If you have more than 30 Servers in one location, or if they are spread between different locations, but you need to have unified user management across all Servers, please contact your manager or technical support for consulting.

Server and Client
  1. Use the port range 20111-20210 (see Network settings utility, Ports used by the Axxon One Software Package).
  2. Metadata database:
    1. The path to the metadata storage folder can be specified only once during the installation process. If you decide to change it later, you will have to re-install Axxon One (without losing your configuration or video archive).
    2. It is highly recommended to install it on SSD specifically designed for storing metadata.
      Do not install metadata on system drive because Metadata size tends to grow over time, and if the system drive space is not sufficient it might cause system issues.
      Do not install metadata on the drive to which the archive is recorded because it will affect recording performance.
    3. Consider the disk space required for the database (see Disk storage subsystem requirements). For example, ≈1.5 TB is required to store metadata for 30 days for 50 cameras.
Failover Server and Client
  1. The path to the metadata storage folder can be specified only once during the installation process. If you decide to change it later, you will have to re-install Axxon One (without losing your configuration or video archive). To specify the database path during installation, select Custom installation type and specify the path in the configuration window.

  2. It is highly recommended to install it on SSD specifically designed for storing metadata.

    Do not install metadata

    on system drive because Metadata size tends to grow over time, and if the system drive space is not sufficient it might cause system issues.
    on the drive to which the archive is recorded because it will affect recording performance.

Antivirus configuration (see Appendix 4. Using Axxon One with antivirus software):

  1. Add the following processes to the exclusion list:

    1. consul.exe
    2. nomad.exe
    3. apphost.exe
    4. postgres.exe
  2. Add the following folders to the exclusion list:
    1. C:\ProgramData\AxxonSoft\Axxon One
    2. C:\Program Files\AxxonSoft\Axxon One
    3. C:\Program Files\Common Files\AxxonSoft
    4. Postgres and metadata folders if their location is not default.

  3. Add the following ports to the exclusion list:
    1. 20109-20210
    2. If Failover Server and Client installation type is selected, then also add ports 4000, 4646-4648, 8300-8302, 8500, 8600.

Initial setup:

  1. Activate the licenses (see Creating an activation request, Activation by applying license file).
  2. Change the root password (see Working with users). 
  3. Create another administrator account for backup. Specify a password for it.
  4. For Server only: configure Client auto-logout after 1 hour (see Configuring automatic exiting and locking of the Client).
  5. Create the archive before adding cameras (see Configuring archives).

Creating archives (see Configuring archives):

  1. Divide the archive into several volumes located on different devices.
  2. It is highly recommended to create archive volumes no larger than 30 TB each.

Camera configuration (see The Video Camera Object):

  1. Connect the cameras to the Servers.
  2. Synchronize the time of all Servers and cameras with a single NTP Server.
  3. Add the cameras to the system (see Adding and removing IP devices, Bulk creation of IP devices). Preferred protocol: ONVIF generic.

  4. Multistreaming:

    1. Set different high and low quality streams for each video camera.

    2. Low quality stream settings should be lower than the High quality stream.

  5. Codec type (warning): H.265 or H.264 is recommended. If you plan to use the Web Client, then H.264 is recommended since using H.265 leads to the stream recompression on the Server side.
  6. FPS: the Low quality stream frame rate should be at least 6 to ensure the correct operation of the detection tools.

  7. Resolution:
    1. Aspect ratio should be the same for Low and High quality streams (warning).
    2. The Low quality stream resolution should be no less than 640x360 and no more than 1280x720 to ensure the correct operation of the detection tools.

  8. Bitrate: 

    1. Recommended type (warning): VBR.

    2. Set maximum bitrate/bandwidth values.

    3. Recommended bitrate: 1 Mbps per 1 MP.

  9. GOV (also known as GOP, I Frame, etc.): it is recommended to have at least one keyframe per 2 seconds. 

May differ for different camera models.


Archive recording configuration (see Configuring recording to an archive):

  1. Link each camera to at least one archive.
  2. Configure recording to the archive (permanent or triggered by detection tools) for each camera.

  3. Make sure pre-recording is enabled (> 1 sec).

  4. Note that after you re-create the archive, it is necessary to re-create all recording rules in the detection tool settings or Programming settings.

Detection tool configuration (see Configuring detection tools):

  1. The motion detection tool should operate on a low quality stream (see Configuring VMD).
  2. Using masks, exclude the areas of the frame which constantly trigger motion detection (for example, on-screen display (OSD) or TV).
  3. Create automatic rules for recording to the archive (see Automatic Rules).
  4. Use a NVIDIA GPU for the detection tools operation if there is one.

Automatic notifications (see Configuring macros):

  1. Create and configure an email notification (see The E-mail notifier object).
  2. Configure a cyclic macro command (once a day) to check if all cameras are recording (see Checking for archive video recordings, Cyclical macros).
  3. Configure event macros based on statistical data (CPU load, free disk space, see Triggering macros by statistical data).

Users and roles (see Configuring user permissions):

  1. Create and configure the roles (see Creating and configuring roles).
  2. Create the users (see Working with users).
  3. Create the layouts and share them to users (see Configuring layouts).
  4. Check your setup by logging in under different user accounts and verifying the interface and permissions.

Backups (see Backing up a configuration):

  1. Create a new backup:
    1. After you complete the system configuration.
    2. Before you update to a new version.
    3. After you update to a new version.
    4. Periodically (recommended period is 1 month).

  2. To restore the configuration, use the backup created on the same version of software (see Restoring a configuration). Example: if backup was created on v. 1.0 then restore it only on v. 1.0.

Web Client (see Working with Axxon One Through the Web Client):

  1. Do not use H.265 in camera settings since it causes the stream recompression on the Server side. It is recommended to use H.264 for such cameras.
  2. Change the HTTP port from 80 to a custom port (see Configuring the Web Server).

System check:

  1. Monitor the CPU load (<= 60%).
  2. Monitor the RAM load (<= 60%).
  3. Monitor the disk load:
    1. Active time is lower than 50%.

    2. Average response time is lower than 1 sec.

  4. Monitor free disk space: system drive has not less than 20 GB.
  5. Use the statistics panel in Web Client (see Viewing Camera and Archive Statistics).

What are the Axxon One limitations?

The list of Axxon One limitations is given in the Limitations of Axxon One section.

What graphics card do I need to run Axxon One?

Axxon One needs a video card with OpenGL version 2.0 or above and the following extensions: ARB_vertex_program, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_ARB_framebuffer_object for OpenGL.

You can run OpenGL Extension Viewer (download) to check extensions.

Axxon One is guaranteed to work with:

  • discrete GPU NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE/GeForce 200 or higher (512MB) or discrete GPU AMD Radeon HD 5000, Radeon HD 6000 or higher;

  • integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 or higher.


Complete guide Hardware requirements

Learn more

How do I check if my camera is integrated with Axxon One?

  1. Please refer to the Drivers Pack documentation web-page.
  2. Download the list of supported devices from the latest release in xls.
  3. Open the file and go to the Axxon One tab.

If your device is listed, it is integrated via the vendor protocol. When adding a device, select the model.

Full article Adding and removing IP devices

Learn more

If your device is not listed, you can still use it in Axxon One:

Via General Device

General Device is a universal driver that enables AxxonSoft products to work with almost all devices from the relevant manufacturer. General Device is a generic driver that supports nearly all devices from a particular camera vendor.

Generic Drivers (General device, generic)

Full article

Via ONVIF

Notes on configuring video cameras connected via ONVIF

Full article

Via RTSP

Configuring connection of video cameras via RTSP

Full article

How to install Axxon One?

Please refer to the Installation web-page.

How do I bulk create devices?

To create several IP devices at once in Axxon One, do the following:
  1. Create a CSV file containing the parameters of the devices to be added.

  2. Drag & drop the created file to the field in IP Device Discovery Wizard in Axxon One.

Complete guide Bulk creation of IP devices

Learn more

How do I add and remove a Server from an Axxon-domain?

A distributed system based on the Axxon One VMS is created within an Axxon-domain, i.e., a selected group of Axxon One Servers.

A new Axxon-domain can be created in one of two ways:

  1. During installation of the Axxon One software package with the Server and Client configuration.
  2. When attempting to connect to a Server which does not belong to an Axxon-domain.

Creating a new domain

Full article

A Server can be added to an existing Axxon-domain from any Server within that Axxon-domain.

Adding a Server to an existing Axxon-domain

Full article

You can remove a Server from an Axxon-domain on any Server within the domain.

Removing a Server from an Axxon-domain

Full article

In the program activation utility, you can also exclude a Server from the Axxon-domain.

Excluding the Current Server from an domain

Full article

Which ports are required for Axxon One operation?

All default ports used for Axxon One operation are listed in the Ports used by the Axxon One Software Package section.

For information on how to change the default ports, see Configuring the Server ports.

License

How is Axxon One licensed?

There are 6 types of Axxon One licenses:


Axxon One Demo

Upon installation, the software will be launched in Axxon One Demo mode. You can use the system with some features from 8:00 to 18:00.


Axxon One Free

1 Server, 4 video channels

Basic features


Axxon One Start

Maximum number of Servers − 1, maximum number of channels − 64

Some features


Axxon One Professional

Maximum number of Servers − 30, unlimited number of channels

Some features


Axxon One Enterprise

Maximum number of Servers − 30, unlimited number of channels

Some features


Axxon One Unified

Unlimited number of Servers and channels

All features


Axxon One license types

Full article

How to activate a license in Axxon One?

You can launch the product activation utility from the Windows Start menu: Start → Programs → Axxon One → Utilities → Activation utility.

Complete guide Axxon One Activation utility

To activate Axxon One, do as follows:

  1. In the activation utility, create an activation request.
    Creating an activation request
    Complete guide

  2. Submit the received activation request to the AxxonSoft manager.

  3. Upload the received license file to the system.
    Activation by applying license file
    Complete guide

How do I see features available under the activated license?

  1. Run the activation utility Start → All Programs → Axxon One → Utilities → Program Activation.

    Full article Axxon One Activation utility

  2. Save the license file.

    Full article Saving the license file

  3. Decode the license file on the website https://sale.axxonsoft.com/sale/.

    Full article Decoding the activated license

Archive

How to configure an archive?

In Axxon One, the archive can be stored both on local disks and on network disks. You can also connect external archives − a set of video recordings with time links.

On the basis of one Server you can create an unlimited number of archives.

Archives are configured in the following order:

  1. Create archives. Archives are created and configured in the Archive tab (Settings tab).
  2. Configure recording of the video stream from video cameras to the archives.

  3. Configure data replication, if necessary.

Complete guides

Creating archives

Configuring recording to an archive

Configuring data replication

Attention!

We do not recommend you to operate a large single volume video footage archive. 

It's more practical to divide the archive to multiple volumes located on different hardware devices. We recommend you to create an archive with volumes no larger than 30 TB each.

How do I set up an archive in the network storage?

The procedure of creating and configuring an archive on one or several network storages is described in the Creating a network archive section.

For information on how to select the cameras which will record to the archive, see Configuring recording to an archive.

How can I replicate data from one archive to another?

For information on how to configure the archived data replication, see Configuring data replication.

Other

How to uninstall Axxon One?

To remove Axxon One and prerequisites, do as follows:

  1. Remove Axxon One and delete the configuration.

    Full article Removal

  2. Go to Control Panel → Programs.
  3. Perform the uninstall of Postgres NGP, Axxon DetectorPack, Drivers Pack, Guardant Drivers.
  4. Clear the folder: C:\Program Files\AxxonSoft.
  5. Clear the folder: C:\Program Files\Common Files\AxxonSoft.
  6. Clear the hidden folder: C:\ProgramData\AxxonSoft.
  7. Remove the registry entry through the Registry Editor:
    1. In х64 systems: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AxxonSoft.
    2. In x86 systems: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\AxxonSoft.

How do I connect to Axxon One from a smart-phone or tablet PC?

Axxon One apps are available for: iOS and Android platforms.

Example URL with standard Server settings for Axxon One:

Axxon One 1.0: 192.168.0.10:80

Full articles:

Direct Server connection in the AxxonNet iOS mobile client

Direct connection in the AxxonNet mobile client on Android OS

Apps are described here:

General information about the AxxonNet iOS mobile client

General information about the Android mobile client

Can I change the NetBiosName on the computer that has the Axxon One Server installed?

Yes, the Axxon One Server will be available under the new NetBiosName or IP address from the external network or under the Server name in the Axxon One configuration from the internal network. 

The NetBiosName of the computer may contain up to 15 characters.

By default, the Server name in the Axxon One configuration corresponds to the NetBiosName of the computer on which it is installed. You can change the Server name from the Backup and Restore Utility.

Full article Changing the Server name

I don't have video from the camera in Axxon One. What should I do?

  1. Ping the camera.
  2. Check that the camera is available in the Web-Interface.
  3. Check the connection settings (port, login, password) in Axxon One.

  4. If the camera's integration with Axxon One is via vendor protocol, verify that the model and version of the firmware in the documentation and on the camera are the same.

    How do I check if my camera is integrated with Axxon One?

  5. If the camera is connected via ONVIF:
    1. Check the connection in the ONVIF Device Manager.
    2. Synchronize time between camera and Server.
    3. Enable the ONVIF option on the camera, if there is one.
  6. If the camera is connected through the RTSP protocol, check the connection in the VLC Media Player.
  7. Check the network. The firewall, antivirus, SmartScreen, UAC and other software can use the port you want for connecting to the camera.

  8. Make sure that Axxon One license file allows the sufficient number of video channels. If channels are not enough, please contact your AxxonSoft manager to request the new license file.

    How do I see features available under the activated license?

How do I configure multi-domain monitoring (Cross-System Client)?

Cross-System Client empowers users to connect to multiple servers on various domains and in different systems from a single client workstation.

Full article Cross-System Client

For this to take place, the following conditions must be true:

To configure connection to servers from different domains, go to Settings → Options → Automatic connection.

Full article Configuring Cross-System Client and autologon

How do I set up e-mail sending in case if camera recording stops?

If a specific video camera or a group of cameras does not record to the archive for some time, you can set up e-mail notifications about this. To do this, it is necessary to create a macro that checks if there is a record in the archive, and set up sending an e-mail notification when it is triggered. Do the following:
  1. On the Programming tab, create a macro for the Check archive record events.
  2. In the macro settings:
    1. select a camera or a group of cameras for which you want to check the presence of a record in the archive;
    2. select an archive to check;
    3. specify the depth of the check.
  3. Select the action to be performed if there is no record in the archive for the specified period. To do this, in the Execute if no video in archive field of the created macro, select the Notification: Send E-mail action. In the action settings:
    1. select the used E-mail message object;
    2. set the e-mail addresses to which the notification will be sent;
    3. write the subject of the email and the message itself.

Complete guide

Checking for archive video recordings

E-mail notification

How to reduce the CPU load?

To reduce the CPU load, it is necessary to configure hardware decoding of displayed video. For a complete configuration guide, see Configuring hardware video decoding for display on the Client.

Besides, the detection tool settings can affect the CPU load − for example, decimation, fps, etc. Settings of each detection tool are described in the Configuring detection tools section. Please note that the number of detection tools should match the CPU capabilities. You can check it in the platform calculator, and the calculation algorithm is described in the Recommended platform calculation section.

How to restore the configuration?

To restore a configuration, use the Restore mode in the Backup and restore utility. For a complete guide, see Restoring a configuration.

Attention!

We can guarantee that your configuration will be fully restored if:

  • the backup was created on the same software version (including the build number);
  • the backup was created on the same PC (for licensing without the Guardant key).

How to configure Axxon One with NAT?

Consolidating the Servers from different networks separated by routers into the Axxon domain, as well as connecting the Clients to the Server behind NAT is described in the Using Axxon One with NAT section.

Content

  • No labels

What are the Axxon One limitations?

What graphics card do I need to run Axxon One?

How do I check if my camera is integrated with Axxon One?

How to install Axxon One?

How is Axxon One licensed?

How to activate a license in Axxon One?

How to uninstall Axxon One?

How do I see features available under the activated license?

How do I connect to Axxon One from a smart-phone or tablet PC?

Can I change the NetBiosName on the computer that has the Axxon One Server installed?

I don't have video from the camera in Axxon One. What should I do?

How do I add and remove a Server from an Axxon-domain?

How do I configure multi-domain monitoring (Cross-System Client)?

How to configure an archive?

How do I set up e-mail sending in case if camera recording stops?

How to reduce the CPU load?

How to restore the configuration?

Which ports are required for Axxon One operation?

How to configure Axxon One with NAT?

How do I set up an archive in the network storage?

How can I replicate data from one archive to another?

How do I bulk create devices?

Axxon One Setup Checklist and Best Practices

How to install Axxon One in Linux OS?