ESM Architecture
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 under Microsoft Windows 2003 server. ipConfigure software components include:

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

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

Figure 1. Stand-alone configuration

 

The distributed architecture (see 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. Distributed configuration
 

The system components that make up the core of ESM's surveillance managment platform include:

• ipConfigure Software and Server(s)
  
  
  • Management Process

The management server provides a central point of access and control for the entire video surveillance system. The management server runs a Web server to provide both administrative and user access to the system. The database utilizes a SQL express or SQL database and runs on the management server (or optional 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 a Microsoft 2003 server operating system.

• IP Cameras

An extensive set of IP cameras are supported by the reference architecture, including cameras from Axis Communications. Axis provides a broad product line with cameras designed for professional video surveillance applications where superior image quality and advanced features are required.

• Gigabit Ethernet Switch(es)

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

Enterprise Surveillance Manager (ESM) Overview

ipConfigure Enterprise Surveillance Manager delivers an unparalleled enterprise -class of IP video surveillance management. ESM utilizes an HTML-based client interface, while running a service-based architecture at the core of the application. ESM can support an unlimited number of cameras, locations, and users across a distributed infrastructure while maintaining hardware independence and performance.

As an HTML-based application, ESM removes the need to install client software on each PC or workstation that will be viewing video data. Accessing both live and archived video across the enterprise is intuitive and seamless with advanced map navigation, archive search histograms, synchronized multi-camera playback, and alarm monitoring.

Enterprise Surveillance Manager (ESM) Summary

The combined enterprise architecture with the use of standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies delivered through a unified HTML interface puts ipConfigure Enterprise Surveillance Manager in a surveillance class of its own.

As the convergence between IT and security accelerates it is critical that today’s requirements and tomorrow’s needs can be satisfied. ESM delivers those capabilities by providing unparalleled scalability, compatibility, and manageability.

 

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