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There are 3 main types of connections:

  1. Direct to Cloud (camera plug-ins)

  2. Cloud Gateway/NVR (bridged).

  3. Direct ONVIF.

Direct to Cloud

VXG partners with major camera manufacturers and has developed camera firmware plug-ins that are installed directly on cameras. This makes a connection between a camera and the cloud plug-and&-play and it doesn’t need any additional hardware on-premise.

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The plug-in performs the following operations:

  1. Maintains connection with the Cloud.

  2. Direct recording to the Cloud storage.

  3. Playback from local SD card storage.

  4. Remote configuration of a camera.

  5. Delivers camera events to the Cloud.

Installation of the plug-in

The plug-in can be installed camera’s Web UI as on the picture below

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It can be also installed using the Windows application – VXG Camera Finder which will find all supported cameras in a local network and install plug-ins automatically.

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Cloud Gateway/NVR

VXG Cloud NVR/Gateway is a software module distributed as a Docker image for x86 and ARM. It There is no need to do any network configuration, like port forwarding or opening ports. VXG offers pre-built plug-ins for major camera brands and models. The plug-in source code is open and publicly available for integration with new cameras.

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Cloud Gateway

Cloud Gateway is a software module that bridges connections between cameras and the Cloud VMS. Cloud Gateway provides full remote access to cameras' settings, Web UI, and edge storage. In addition, a separate Cloud NVR module can record video in its local storage (NVR mode) or just relay videos to the Cloud (Gateway mode). In both all cases, live and recorded videos can be watched and managed through the Cloud VMS.

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The VXG Cloud NVR/Gateway connects to Cloud Gateway works with any standard ONVIF or RTSP camera from the local network on one side and on the other side connects automatically to the Cloud bridging the connection between cameras and the Cloud.

System requirements

VXG Cloud NVR/Gateway can run on almost any x86 or ARM computer running Linux with Docker container support. Minimal system requirements for 20 cameras are 4GB RAM, Atom CPU or 4GB RAM, Raspberry PI 4.

NVR vs. Gateway modes

In the Cloud NVR mode, the videos will be recorded on a local hard drive. The recorded videos can be played through the Cloud and the user experience is the same as if videos were recorded on the Cloud.

In the Cloud Gateway mode, the video streams are relayed to the Cloud. The streams can be watched and recorded on the Cloud.

It is possible to run the NVR and Gateway mode at the same time having a videos recorded on-prem and on the Cloud.

and RTSP cameras connecting to them from a local network.

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Direct ONVIF

VXG works with any ONVIF or RTSP camera. A camera should have an IP address that VXG can access from the Cloud. The possible options are described below.

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This requires mapping of IP camera ports to external ports on a router. We usually require 2 ports: HTTP (80) or HTTPS (443), and RTSP (554) ports.

VPN

VXG supports connection through a variety of VPN clients. Once connected to your VPN, VXG can connect to your cameras using your VPN IP address.

IP address white-listing

Some firewalls will restrict accessing networks from unknown IP addresses. VXG supports a special Gateway Service that will pass through all traffic and all the connections will be made using a known IP address or a list of addresses.

Other cameras and connection options

Using a VPN router

VXG supports IPsec VPN tunneling and can establish a Site-to-Site VPN. Cameras can be then connected over ONVIF/RTSP using local (VPN) IP addresses.

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Other cameras

Mobile phone cameras

VXG Mobile applications for Android and iOS turn any phone into an additional video camera that can be used along with other cameras in the system.

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Wearable cameras and IoT devices

VXG offers an integration kit for wearable cameras and video IoT devices. VXG also offers engineering services to help with the integration.

DVR/NVR

VXG can connect to a DVR/NVR either directly using RTSP or through a Gateway via RTSP. In the case of a direct connection, this requires port forwarding or VPN to the DVR/NVR similar to the Direct ONVIF approach. In the case of the Gateway via RTSP approach, it requires setup of the Cloud Gateway/NVR in the same network with the DVR/NVR and adding each DVR/NVR channel using RTSP URL on the Cloud Gateway/NVR.