*Edge Server
- Tom Polman
- Martijn Friggen
Configuration Article | CA-20210519-MH-02 VDG Sense | Setup | Edge Server  |  |
Introduction
The Edge Server functionality is to prevent data loss of a Sense server running in the cloud in case of an internet connection loss, by syncing the data recorded with a on-location (Edge) server back to the cloud server and re-indexing the video storage into the existing data, creating a seamless recording during the outage. Operator is informed of missing data in main storage and can then choose to sync the missing data into the main storage.
Configuration Example
In the example above, an Edge server configuration has been setup. On the left, a on-site server with devices has been configured. This server has a video storage retention time of 7 days and a total storage drive of 5TB. On the right is a Cloud server running with an identical copy of the Edge Server connected through an internet line to the Edge Server location. This server has a 30 day retention time and a storage drive of 40TB and serves as a back-up or any other off-site storage application.
In this situation, it’s possible that the internet connection is lost and the Cloud server stops receiving storage data from the on-site camera.
After the internet connection has been restored, it’s possible for the cloud server to resync with the Edge server by downloading the video storage from the Edge Server into a temporary folder on the cloud server.
After downloading, the video data in the temporary folder will be re-indexed into the existing video storage on the cloud server.
Configuration
Requirements
To setup a Edge Server configuration, the following requirements are needed
Time sync between all devices (Cameras, Edge Server & Cloud Server) using the same NTP Server
Minimum free space on the cloud server must be equal or more than the total disk size on the Edge server
Multicast of devices is recommended
The network bandwidth between Edge & Cloud server should be at least twice the bandwidth needed for camera streaming. This extra bandwidth is needed for data synchronization.
VDG Sense Pro license
VDG Sense API license on Management Server
Adding Edge Server(s) to Cloud server
Login on the Cloud Server with the Administrator user or a user with Administrator rights
Open Setup menu
Add all the devices of the Edge server(s). See the Devices category for more information.
Open the “Edge Server” configuration tab
5. In the lower left corner, click the ‘+’ button
6. Fill in the IP-address and Port of your Edge Server
7. Set the Retention Time to match the to the Edge Server. This will be used to indicate when storage on the Edge server is no longer available due to Edge server retention time. After this time, the edge request will automatically be deleted.
8. Set the Max Edge Bandwidth. This value will be used as an aproximate maximum download speed for download video data from the Edge Server. The higher the number, the faster the download will be complete but will affect streaming stability.
9 Set the Edge Request time out. This value will be used to create an edge request if the time between connection lost and reconnect event is longer than the edge request time-out.
Assigning Cloud Devices to Edge Devices
Once the Edge Server(s) have been added to the Cloud Server, the devices of the Edge Server must be assigned to devices on the Cloud Server. This information will be used to reindex the downloaded video data to the correct video stream.
Login on the Cloud Server with the Administrator user or a user with Administrator rights
Open Setup menu
Add all the devices of the Edge server(s). See the Devices category for more information.
Open the “Edge Server” configuration tab
Select the Edge Server from the list
Click the sub-tab “Device Table”
7. The table shows each device on the Edge Server
8. In the “Cloud Device” column, select the corresponding device
9. If you do not wish for the device to receive Sync Requests, either do not configure a device or uncheck the “Enabled” checkbox in front of the device