How to manage storage levels

Introduction

There are several options available to the user that allow improvement over the management of storage. 

Where To Start

The Server Report is a useful tool in the VCS that assists the user in figuring out which areas of the system have room for storage improvement. 

• Go to the Admin Panel of the VCS and click the “Diagnostics” button and select “View Server Report”
• NOTE: Alternatively, you can type the IP of the server followed by /report in a web browser to view the report. Example: “192.168.25.5/report”
• View the “Storage” column. This column represents the total amount of storage that each particular camera is taking up on the server.
• Work your way down the storage column and make a list of the cameras that have large storage sizes. These cameras should be analyzed first, and settings adjusted if need be.

Settings To Analyze

• Resolution
  • Lowering the resolution of a camera will lower the amount of storage it takes up on the server. The drawback is the camera’s image may not be as clear as at a higher resolution.

• Recorded Frame Rate
  • Lowering the frame rate of a camera will reduce the storage space it’s using. The drawback is if the frame rate is too low, the video may appear choppy while being reviewed.

• Recording Type
  • Make sure the recording type is appropriate for the camera’s purpose. A camera should only be set to continuous recording if necessary.

• Motion Zones
  • Review the motion zones and ensure they are set properly. Exterior cameras should not have motion zones on trees, the sky, or an unimportant street, as covering these areas will result in unnecessary footage. Draw the motion zones only over areas necessary to record video.

• Days Of Storage
  • Adjusting the days of storage that a camera holds will have a direct effect on the storage level. This can easily be done on certain cameras that aren’t as critical to operations, which will allow for more storage on critical views.