ESM Architecture

• Interface
• Features
• Architecture
• Specifications
• Compatibility
• 

The sections that follow describe the key components of ipConfigure reference architecture for video surveillance with Enterprise Surveillance Manager (ESM). Components are described as well as its interaction with other components in the reference architecture.

ESM Architecture Components
In the reference architecture, ipConfigure ESM's application software is used to capture, store, access, and manage video surveillance content. ipConfigure ESM provides a three-tiered application model, with each tier running as independent services in Microsoft’s Windows Web Server (2003/2008) OS. ipConfigure software components include:

• Management database engine (SQL Server)
• Management web server (Microsoft IIS)
• Recording services (motion detection, recording, and delete routine)

Stand-alone Architecture
In a stand-alone architecture a single server is utilized to run both the management and recording services (figure 1).

figure 1

Distributed Architecture
The distributed architecture (figure 2.) leverages a separate management server and one or more recording servers for more scalable applications. Each recording server operates autonomously while supporting auto recovery and self-healing capabilities.

figure 2

System Components

ipConfigure Software and Servers
Management Process
The management server provides a central point of access and control for the entire video surveillance system. The management server runs Microsoft’s Windows Web Server (2003/2008) to provide both administrative and user access to the system. Microsoft’s SQL Server database runs on the management server (or optionally on a dedicated server) to manage meta-data for archived video location and system information. The management server also runs under Microsoft Windows 2003 server.

Recording Process
Surveillance video is captured directly from assigned network cameras to one or more recording servers. The recording server evaluates the stream for motion, upon motion detection the video is moved to the assigned storage volume and event meta-data is sent to the management server. The recording server utilizes Microsoft’s Web Server (2003/2008) operating system.

IP Cameras
ipConfigure supports a broad range of IP cameras, including Axis, IQinVision, Sony, and Panasonic. These modern cameras can utilize existing wiring, provide a better wireless reception, and are better suited for remote surveillance needs.

Gigabit Ethernet Switch(es)
Each system is connected to one or more Gigabit Ethernet switches to provide bandwidth and redundancy for fail-over. Data from any camera can be recorded to any archiving server in the configuration, under the direction of the management server.