C5672M-A | 1/15
USER GUIDE
VideoXpert Accessory Server
User Guide
Contents
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
About the VideoXpert Accessory Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Configuring the Accessory Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Changing the IP Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Enabling a Second Accessory Server (Failover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Using the Accessory Server as an Arbiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Configuring DHCP Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Configuring NTP Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Server Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Updating the Accessory Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Restoring the Accessory Server to Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3
Getting Started
Before setting up a VideoXpert Accessory Server, you should have already set up and configured your Core or CMG servers. If using
multiple servers in a small cluster, all servers must have their virtual IP address configured before you begin configuring the Accessory
Server.
The VideoXpert Accessory Server operates in conjunction with servers running Core versions 1.7.8617.34 or later and Media Gateway
versions 1.6.8616.18 or later.
Before you start the Accessory Server, ensure that it is connected to the same network as your VideoXpert resources. Take care when
assigning the Accessory Server’s IP address; you cannot change the address after initial setup, as it becomes an integral part of your
VideoXpert network.
1. Start the accessory Server.
2. Provide the IP address you want to assign to the Accessory Server.
3. Provide the Netmask and Gateway of the Accessory Server.
R
ESULT:
The system completes the setup process and returns you to a command prompt. You can now connect to the Accessory Server’s Web
interface using the IP address you assigned to it, through which you can configure services supporting your VideoXpert network.
About the VideoXpert Accessory Server
The VideoXpert accessory Server is designed to provide supplemental services for VideoXpert, offloading your system’s support require-
ments to a separate server. The Accessory Server provides the following services:
• Act as a load balancer for a small cluster and provide active failover services: The Accessory Server acts as a
load
balanc
er for multi-CMG clusters. Presently, the accessory Server’s load balancer functionality is recommended for clusters of 2
CMG servers; the servers in the cluster must use the same virtual IP address to utilize the accessory Server as a load balancer. The
load balancer maximizes the processing throughput of your VideoXpert servers while maintaining the availability of your VideoXp
ert
servers; should one of the servers in the cluster fail, the other(s) will continue operating as normal.
NOTE: The failover model supports failure of a single server in a dual CMG environment. It does not provide protection against more
than one failed server (e.g. 2 CMG’s, 2 Accessory Servers, or a CMG and an Accessory Server) in this sort of environment.
• Act as an arbiter for your cluster: VideoXpert clusters must contain an odd number of servers. If your cluster has an even number
of servers, you can enable the Accessory Server’s Arbiter service. The arbiter provides the deciding vote in elections determining
the primary server in the cluster; the arbiter does not contain the system database. Setting your accessory Server as the clust
er’s
arbiter prevents y
ou from having to run another server to provide arbitration services for the cluster.
• DHCP Server: The accessory server can act as the DHCP server for devices in your VideoXpert network. You can define the address
ranges supported on your network.
• NTP Server: VideoXpert servers must be time-synchronized to ensure proper operation. The accessory
Server can act as both an
NTP s
erver for your VideoXpert network, or simply as an NTP client to remain synchronized with the rest of your VideoXpert devi
ces.
4
You must configure the accessory Server as either an NTP server or client; you cannot save the accessory Server’s configuration
without selecting NTP options.
Configuring the Accessory Server
The accessory Server’s web interface allows you to select the support services you want to run. If, after configuring a service, you want
to turn it off, simply deselect the option in the web interface.
Load Balancer functionality requires all servers in the cluster to use the same virtual IP address. You do not need to enable the func-
tionality; the load balancer takes effect as soon as you point the accessory Server to the address of a CMG server in the cluster.
1. Open a web browser and go to the IP address of your accessory Server.
2. Provide the IP address of a Core server. If your VideoXpert environment contains a cluster of CMG servers, provide the virtua
l IP
address of the CMG c
luster.
3. Provide the password of the admin user for VideoXpert.
4. Select the support services you want to employ.
5. Select an NTP option. The accessory Server can act as an NTP client, or an NTP server for your VideoXpert network.
Changing the IP Address
You cannot change the address of the accessory Server through the Web interface. You must SSH into the accessory Server, edit the
interfaces file and then restart the server.
5
Enabling a Second Accessory Server (Failover)
Select Enable 2nd Accessory Server if running two accessory Servers in a failover (high-availability) configuration. In a high-avail-
ability configuration, the accessory Server that you configure first will act as the primary accessory Server; the secondary server will
come online only if the primary falls offline.
You only need to run the initial setup on the secondary server. The primary server transfers settings to the secondary automatically. You
cannot configure the secondary server independent of the primary server; in the event of a failover, you must wait until the original
primary server comes back online to make configuration changes to the accessory Server.
NOTE: The failover model supports failure of a single server in a dual CMG environment. It does not provide protection against more than
one failed server (e.g. 2 CMG’s, 2 Accessory Servers, or a CMG and an Accessory Server) in this sort of environment.
Using the Accessory Server as an Arbiter
Select Run Arbiter if your CMG environment contains an even number of servers and you want the accessory Server to act as the
cluster’s arbiter. The arbiter serves as the deciding vote in elections determining the primary server for the cluster, but does not actually
store the VideoXpert database or serve data to users.
NOTE: If you re-image or replace your primary Core server, you must disable, and then re-enable the Arbiter service, so that the Accessory
Server will recognize the new server.
Configuring DHCP Services
Select Run DHCP if you want the accessory server to act as a DHCP server for your VideoXpert network. Provide the subnet IP, Netmask,
Broadcast Address, Gateway Address, and IP Range to configure DHCP services. Select ranges with an ample number of extra addresses
to cover any cameras or VideoXpert devices you may add to the system later; presently. To add additional IP ranges, click Add Another.
You cannot set or delete MAC reservations through the accessory Server interface at this time.
Configuring NTP Services
You must configure the accessory server as an NTP server or client before you can save your accessory server’s configuration. Servers
and devices within VideoXpert must be time-synchronized. The accessory server can act as an NTP client if your VideoXpert network
already contains an NTP server; if you opt to run as an NTP client, you must provide the address of an NTP server on the network. Other-
wise, you should configure the accessory server as an NTP server. When enabling the NTP server, you can provide time in one of two
ways:
• Get time from another NTP server: select this option to get and verify time against another time server; you must prov
ide the
address of the NTP se
rver providing time before you can save your configuration.
• Set time manually. Select this option to manually set a date, time, and timezone for the VideoXpert system.
NOTE: Changing time within an active VideoXpert system is likely to cause errors in data access and retrieval.
Server Status
Go to the Status page of the Accessory Server’s web interface to view the up/down status for the Accessory Server’s services. If DHCP
is enabled, the Status page will also list leases.
6
Updating the Accessory Server
The Accessory Server will fall offline while updating. It is recommended that you schedule the update to prevent impact on the network.
Updates for the Accessory Server come in the form of zip files. Do not unpack the zip files to update the server.
1. Click Update on the Accessory Server configuration page.
2. Click Browse and select the .zip update package.
3. Click Update Server.
Restoring the Accessory Server to Defaults
You can go to the Restore Defaults page to return the Accessory Server to its factory defaults. The Accessory Server does not have a
“backup” function; you will lose your current settings if you restore the server to its factory defaults.
Pelco, the Pelco logo, and other trademarks associated with Pelco products referred to in this publication are trademarks of Pelco, Inc. or its affiliates. © Copyright 2016, Pelco, Inc.
ONVIF and the ONVIF logo are trademarks of ONVIF Inc. All other product names and services are the property of their respective companies. All rights reserved.
Product specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.
P
elco, Inc.
3500 Pelco Way Clovis, California 93612 USA
(800) 289-9100 Tel (800) 289-9150 Fax
+1 (559) 292-1981 International Tel
+1 (559) 348-1120 International Fax
www.pelco.com
/