Global Security Solutions : IP Video Surveillance

Introducing ExacqVision Hybrid Servers

2U Rackmount Hybrid Servers - Space-saving, efficient 2U rackmount chassis - 16 or 32 analog inputs + 8 IP camera inputs included - Expandable up to 64 IP camera inputs in addition to analog inputs - From 500 GB to 6.0 TB storage - Included gigabit NIC, server-class hard drives - Switchable power supply - Unlimited client licenses - 3 year warranty

4U Rackmount Hybrid Servers - Highly configurable 4U rackmount chassis - 16, 32, 48 or 64 analog inputs + 8 IP camera inputs included - Expandable up to 64 IP camera inputs in addition to analog inputs - From 1.5 TB to 16.0 TB storage - Included gigabit NIC, server-class removable hard drives - Switchable power supply - Unlimited client licenses - 3 year warranty

Desktop Hybrid Servers - Low cost, space-saving desktop chassis - 4 or 16 analog + 8 IP camera inputs included - Expandable up to 64 IP camera inputs in addition to analog inputs - From 250 GB to 4.0 TB storage - Included gigabit NIC, server-class hard drives, switchable power supply - Unlimited client licenses - 3 year warranty

Home Security – Tips to Prevent Home Invasion

Troubleshooting IP Network Camera

Troubleshooting IP or network based live cameras is much simpler than it may appear. Most issues are related to power loss or a change in the network that supports the camera. All brands of cameras Axis, Sony, Panasonic and others are equally susceptible to outages and most likely will require some troubleshooting during the life of the
camera.

The following outline was written by Steve Surfaro of Axis Communications

When troubleshooting physical infrastructure, integrators must examine:
Cabling and wireless networks,
Equipment that controls the network devices and system power, and
Wiring plant that supports the multiple network-based security systems.

The wiring plant includes the telecommunications closet, the intermediate cross-connect, the main cross-connect and the data center, as well as the command monitoring center and the main cable head where the physical infrastructure connects to TELCO services, external WANs or the Internet.

To determine the source problem, ask these questions:

Is there power?
This is the most obvious place to start troubleshooting. Ferret out whether a break in the network cable is present or if the problem lies with the power sourcing equipment (PSE) or the powered device (PD) itself. It’s advantageous to have a network management system that can consistently monitor the endpoints of the network and pinpoint where performance has slowed down or stopped altogether, especially for larger networks.

Is the PSE’s capacity exceeded?
If an Ethernet cable connects devices to a Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switch, confirm that the device being powered can accept and use power from that Ethernet cable for its operation. As a safety precaution, a PoE switch or other PoE-compliant PSE won’t supply power over an Ethernet cable if it’s not connected to a PoE-compliant device.

Second, check the wattage rating of the network switch and the power requirements of all the PoE devices being powered by that switch. The PoE standard — also known as the IEEE 802.3af standard — designates a maximum power output of 15.4 watts per port, or 12.95 watts to the powered device after factoring in the normal power loss that occurs on a twisted pair cable. Attaching too many devices with large power requirements to a switch can exceed its power capacity. To determine the classification of a particular powered device, check the manufacturer’s specification sheet.

If the network switch supports the newly ratified Hi PoE standard — also known as IEEE 802.3at or PoE+ — it can deliver 25 watts of power per port, or 22.55 watts to the powered device once power dissipation in the cable is considered. If the Hi PoE network switch uses all four of the twisted pairs in the Cat 5 cable, it can deliver up to 51 watts of power per channel. This is more than sufficient to power and control pan/tilt/zoom network cameras, as well as (small) heaters and fans in outdoor network cameras, over a single Ethernet cable.

Is the wireless network experiencing interference?
Much like hardwired network systems, integrators should set up a network management system to monitor wireless transceivers or radios for power loss, fluctuating network throughput and poor signal strength. Radios can also be monitored for interference from external sources.

Rooting Out Logical Infrastructure Problems

When troubleshooting logical infrastructure, integrators must examine:
Network switches,
Firewalls, and
Network management systems.

This is the virtual portion of your network that controls how you segment access to network security devices and systems. It also involves the way you guarantee quality of service (QoS) for critical systems during spikes in bandwidth demand from various security systems on the network.

To determine where the problem might be originating in the logical infrastructure, here are a few pertinent questions to investigate:

Does the user have permission to access the system?
If a user complains that they’re not receiving information from a particular network-based device, check the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) to see if they have been granted permission to access that device. The VLAN is designed to separate groups of users to prevent unauthorized access to network components such as devices or databases.

For instance, human resources might have permission to look at an access control database but is barred from the access control panels themselves. A school superintendent may be able to see all of the video cameras in the district, but principals can see only the cameras covering their own campuses. Or in an emergency, first responders may be given temporary access to a building’s security cameras.

Is a new logical security application causing communication failures?
If network-based devices suddenly stop communication, check to see if the network administrator has introduced a new logical security application that may have triggered the failure. This could be a new proxy server that doesn’t recognize the device, a new firewall that creates a barrier between the device and the network in accordance with the company’s information security management (ISM) policy, or a piece of security software that is blocking the network port used by the device.

The best way to test for these problems is to shut down the new application and see if the device begins communicating again. Start with the simplest communications path possible and then add layers of logical infrastructure and tracking when things start to fail.

Troubleshooting Specific, Network-Based Security Systems

After investigating the infrastructures, integrators should move on to the specific network systems for further inspection. The diagnostic strategies for two of the more popular network-based security systems — video surveillance and access control — are very similar.

Is the powered device working?
Whether it’s a network camera or a card reader, the first thing to check is the device itself. Is it receiving power? Are all its parts functioning? If the problem doesn’t seem to be power or part failure, try resetting the device. Start with a soft reset: simply powering down the device and then powering it back up again. If that doesn’t work, a hard reset will restore the device’s settings to its factory default. Then you can change the settings one at a time to see if a particular new setting is causing the problem.

Is the problem in the firmware?
One of the most common oversights in upgrading network-based systems is firmware compatibility between the network camera and the video management system or between the card reader, the door control panel and the access control management system. A manufacturer might have shipped you a firmware revision for the network device that isn’t supported by the management system. Or the network administrator might have upgraded the management system without considering its compatibility with the network device. Any of these scenarios could lead to a communications issue.

Are the databases synched?
If multiple network-based security systems are designed to work in tandem, it’s important to synchronize their databases to ensure that they operate properly. For example, a visitor management system might allow visitors to enroll online to ensure a badge is waiting for them when they arrive at the facility. However, if that information doesn’t automatically populate the access control system database, then the visitor’s badge won’t be recognized by the card reader.

Is remote access being hampered?
For network video surveillance systems in particular, problems can emerge with WAN connectivity when monitoring video streams remotely. To correct, first ensure that the individual monitoring the cameras is accessing the correct static IP addresses. If the network doesn’t use static IP addresses for the network cameras, check that correct port forwarding or network address translation protocols are in place. This might require specialized programming to determine if the camera’s video stream is transmitting properly through the router.

Hosted video solutions US Relay avoid much of this complex protocol connectivity by connecting the cameras to an outside dispatch service. The service automatically reconfigures the cameras to stream video to a hosted video portal, where it can be accessed by remote users.

Keeping It Simple

Even in a complex network environment, the simplest approach is the most effective one. Start troubleshooting by ruling out more obvious problems such as power loss before exploring other possible issues affecting system performance. Try to recreate a simple communications path between the network device and the user of that device’s information — be it a video stream or an entrance permission. Then gradually introduce other areas of the network to determine where and when the problem occurs. This systematic layering of complexity will make it easier and faster for you to root out the problem and bring the security systems back to full operation.

Troubleshooting Checklist:

Check physical infrastructure
Power to all devices?
Manual soft or hard reset?
PoE capacity exceeded?
Wireless interference?

Check logical infrastructure
User permission for VLAN?
New logical security application?
(Proxy server, firewall, security software, etc.)
Firmware compatibility?

10 Home Security Tips

It's a good idea to think about home security, even if you are a renter or live in a condominium with a guard or in a gated community. Anyone can be a victim of theft, and if you are home when a burglar intrudes, the crime can escalate into something even more dangerous.

For the safety of you and your family, you may want to consider having a home security system installed, but there are also a lot of common-sense things you can do that don't involve spending a lot of money on fancy alarms or security cameras. Let's take a look at some basic tips:

1. Secure garage doors and windows

While most people have solid doors and locks for front and back home entrances, they sometimes forget that garage doors should be of good quality as well. This includes walk-through doors and the doors for cars. Older automatic garage door openers were relatively easy to hack, so if your model is more than 15 or 20 years old, you may want to upgrade to a newer system that employs rolling codes.

Most garages have windows, and because this area tends to be father away from your living area than other parts of the house, a broken window is less likely to be heard. You may want to consider upgrading your windows to use security glass or shutters, but at least make sure locks are secure. Also watch out for entry doors with windows in or next to them, as these can be broken to allow a thief to stick an arm through and unlock the door from within.

2. Lock detached garages and storage sheds

Even if you don't keep anything particularly valuable in your garden shed, realize that thieves can walk in and grab tools such as hoes, axes, and shovels which can be used in breaking windows to allow entry into your house. Also, unsecured ladders should be locked up somewhere inside, as they can allow burglars access to second story windows, which many homeowners forget to close and lock.

3. Keep windows and doors locked

Speaking of windows, it's a good idea to keep them closed and locked when you're not at home (and if you live in a high-crime neighborhood, you may want to keep them locked when you're there as well). Also keep doors locked, even when you are home. In addition to regular knob locks, consider adding deadbolts for extra security against having a door kicked down.

4. Don't tempt burglars

Got a big plasma tv? A fancy car? Jewelry? That's fine, but don't tempt people into crimes of opportunity by allowing these items to be easily seen by anyone passing by your home. If you have valuable cars in your garage, consider curtains for the windows so people can't see in. Likewise, don't place expensive (and portable) items right in front of bedroom or living room windows.

5. Keep your yard well lit

Burglars prefer to work in dark and shadows, since they're less likely to be seen that way, so make sure your yard doesn't provide thieves a place to hide. Install outdoor lights with motion- or heat-detecting sensors, so they will turn on at night when someone approaches the house. The backyard, front yard, and side yards should all have security lighting. (For energy efficiency, get lights with motion/heat sensors rather than units that simply stay on all night.)

6. Cancel deliveries when out of town

Nothing invites a theft so much as a house with no one home. If you are going out of town, don't make it obvious to passing thieves. Have the paper and mail put on hold (in most areas, the post office will hold mail for up to 30 days, and you can simply go to the post office to pick it up when you get back) or have a sitter pick them up for you. Automatic lights that come on at night will also help fool burglars into thinking someone is home.

7. Change locks when moving into a new home

Even if you're a renter, it's a good idea to have the door locks changed when you move into a new house or apartment. Unless you are moving into new construction, you have no idea of knowing how many keys have been made over the years that fit your door.

8. Don't put your name and address on your keys

Keys get lost all the time, and you may think it's a good idea to have your name and address on your key ring (to help speed recovery), but all that really does is let the finder know where your house is, and now they have the keys that open the front door. They could call you and tell you they've found your keys and to meet them at such-and-such a place and even as you're heading off to meet them, they are back at your house, letting themselves in to steal your valuables.

9. Don't leave keys outside the house

To this day, a lot of people still leave spare sets of house keys under doormats, above door frames, under pots, rocks, etc. No matter how tricky you think you are being in choosing a concealing spot, a burglar can find it. Thievery is what they do for a living so of course they know all the tricks. If you're worried about losing your keys and not being able to get into your house, consider installing biometric door locks (these open your door with a thumbprint) or locks that open when PIN codes are entered.

10. Install a safety spy hole or "peep hole" at your front door

Even as a child, you were probably told never to open the door for strangers. This is prudent advice even for adults. In order to see who is at the door, consider installing a safety spy hole or peep hole. This makes it easy to see who's outside without them seeing in, and it's a relatively inexpensive home security upgrade.

As you can see from this list, there are a lot of home security precautions you can take that will make your house less of a target for thieves. In addition, they cost little or no money to implement, so what are you waiting for? Make your home safe!

LED flashlight Night Vision Camera

Ghost hunters, rejoice. Not only does this $150 LED flashlight record 640×480 video at 30 frames per second, it’s also got an eight foot nightvision range that allows it to record in complete darkness.

There’s a five-hour rechargeable lithium ion battery, support for microSD cards up to 8GB (20 hours of video) and, oh yeah, it’s a flashlight too. You know, for seeing in the dark.

According to the product description:

With this hidden camcorder that looks and acts like a regular LED flashlight, you can use it as just that, and record at the same time. With the built-in nightvision, you can record crystal clear footage and take pictures without anyone knowing exactly what you’re doing. This is great tool for bouncers or security guards working in dark bars or clubs for when they check IDs. Also great for regular surveillance hoping to protect themselves, throw the Flashlight Camcorder in your car or pocket and be prepared for any break down or nighttime excursion.

This actually seems like it’d be very useful for certain applications, and not ridiculously expensive at $150. Aside from ghost hunting and ID checking, this product will unfortunately be a big topic of discussion at peeping clubs everywhere. Do they have peeping clubs?

Contact Us at 918.877.0036 to find out more.

Three Men Wanted For Cellphone Store Crime Spree

Axis network cameras chosen to improve security for Prague’s buses

3 Feb 2010
Lund, Sweden, Headquarters
Axis network cameras chosen to improve security for Prague’s buses

Axis Communications’ network cameras will be installed in buses for municipal transport in Prague. The 3,500 AXIS 209FD-R Network Cameras will be part of a system for monitoring each vehicle’s interior, improving passenger security and providing evidence to help solve incidents of vandalism and other crimes. The installation started in November 2009 and the whole installation will be finished in 2014.
 
Axis network cameras will be installed of 620 buses for municipal transport in Prague. The new buses will have a modern design and meet strict environmental criteria.

”Several transportation authorities have chosen network video products to improve safety and security in their transit systems, or to view and share real-time information on traffic and road conditions, says Ray Mauritsson, President of Axis Communications. “Axis’ network video products have been installed in many demanding environments, including buses in Stockholm, trains in Zurich and subway cars in Moscow.”

The AXIS 209FD-R Network Camera is a palm-sized, discreet, rugged network camera specifically for the tough environments found in mass transit vehicles. Its durable transparent cover provides excellent protection against dust, humidity and vibrations. The small built-in heater eliminates condensation on the lens or cover. The cameras are designed for easy installation and can withstand the tough and changing conditions in buses.

About Axis Communications
Axis is an IT company offering network video solutions for professional installations. The company is the global market leader in network video, driving the ongoing shift from analog to digital video surveillance. Axis products and solutions focus on security surveillance and remote monitoring, and are based on innovative, open technology platforms.

Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide with offices in more than 20 countries and cooperating with partners in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1984, Axis is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, under the ticker AXIS.

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