AXIS Camera Station: Installation scenarios

Below are some examples of possible installation scenarios:

1. Basic installation

This is the basic and most common installation where AXIS Camera Station connects with a number of Axis network cameras or video servers. All viewing, recording and playback is done on the AXIS Camera Station. 

A typical environment could be a small to medium retail shop, a gas station or a school.

As illustrated below, the AXIS Camera Station can also be used with analog video cameras that are connected to an Axis video server only or together with network cameras. The AXIS Camera Station then enables users to digitally save recordings from analog cameras, which could be part of an existing CCTV solution.

2. Basic installation with remote access on the local network

The AXIS Camera Station connects with a number of Axis network cameras or video servers and is remotely accessed from the same local network using the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface. This scenario could be used when the AXIS Camera Station is located in a closed environment or away from where playback, viewing and administration are wanted.

A typical environment could be a school where AXIS Camera Station is located in the server room and the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface is used in the school office for viewing, playback and administration. 

The AXIS Camera Station Web interface will be able to view and playback events. The AXIS Camera Station Client will be able to view, playback and administrate. It is possible to use up to 10 remote AXIS Camera Station Clients for viewing, playback and administration. 

For playback and administration, the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface connects to the AXIS Camera Station, but for live viewing AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface connects directly to the cameras. 

3. Installation with local network spread over a geographical area

In this installation, the local network is spread over a geographical area and the Internet is used to transfer the network traffic through a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The AXIS Camera Station is located in a server room while the complete system is managed using the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface in another building or another part of the town, for instance.

A typical scenario could be a small enterprise that has network cameras or video servers in the production plant while the management of the system is at a separate office (head office).

4. Installation with local networks spread over a geographical area, including both local and remote cameras

In this installation, the AXIS Camera Station is connected with both local network cameras (or video servers), as well as a remote camera (or video server) through VPN over the Internet. The AXIS Camera Station is located in a server room while the complete system is managed using the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface in another building or another part of the town, for instance.

A typical scenario could be a small college with separate buildings spread around town. 

5. Remote access over the Internet using AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface

This installation is similar to the basic installation with the added exception that remote access using the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface is possible from anywhere on the Internet. The Firewall/Router between the local network and the Internet must be set up to allow network traffic from the Internet to access the AXIS Camera Station and to the separate cameras. Otherwise, the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface will not have access to the AXIS Camera Station for administration, playback and viewing. Normally, remote access to the cameras are set up by 'port mapping' in the Firewall/Router. 

A typical example could be a retail shop where the owner or a contracted security company remotely checks on the retail shop.

6. Local and remote cameras as well as remote access over the Internet using the AXIS Camera Station Client and Web interface

This is an advanced installation, which has both local and remote cameras, as well as remote access. This installation requires that the Firewalls/Routers are set up to allow remote access of the local cameras. If a proxy server is used to access the Internet, the AXIS Camera Station must be set up to use the proxy server for the remote cameras. 

If the AXIS Camera Station Client or Web interface is placed on the same network as the two remote cameras in the diagram, the Client or Web interface will always go outside of its local network and, therefore, will only be able to access the three cameras and AXIS Camera Station on the other LAN and not the two cameras on its local network--unless the local router allows this traffic. 

A typical scenario could be a school or retail store with different locations but with one common surveillance system, which can be remotely accessed from anywhere on the Internet by a supervisor or a contracted security company.