DW Spectrum Server Hardware Requirements

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Affected Roles: Administrator, Power Users

Related DW Software: DW Spectrum Professional

Software Version: DW Spectrum Server 6.1

Last Edit: February 2, 2026

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Hardware Requirements

The DW Spectrum Server application can be installed on most modern computers that are equipped with an x64-bit architecture. However, while DW Spectrum is a relatively lightweight application, the program uses a varying amount of hardware resources, depending on the intensity of its use. Its stability depends on the hardware quality upon which it is installed.

This can range from a low-end affordable CPU with a few GB of RAM on a headless Linux server to demanding systems requiring multiple enterprise-grade Xeon CPUs with powerful NVIDIA GPUs.

This article will outline the recommended hardware specifications required for hosting the DW Spectrum Server software in most situations.

**NOTE: 32-bit operating systems, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 10.15, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008|R2, and Windows Server 2012|R2 are no longer supported by DW Spectrum. Additionally, the desktop client will not function when using Macintosh OS X 10.11, 10.12, 10.14, or 10.15.

**NOTE: It is highly recommended to use a separate computer from the device that is hosting the DW Spectrum Server application when viewing, rather than running both programs full-time on the same device. This will help to keep the server device’s CPU from being overused and to mitigate processing issues.

Related Articles

• DW Spectrum - Client Hardware Requirements
• DW Spectrum - Maximum System Size
• DW Spectrum - Maximum Client Connections

Challenge of Identifying Minimum Specifications

It is challenging to declare specific hardware recommendations that will meet requirements for every situation and for all systems. DW Spectrum IPVMS is a completely scalable program, meaning that the size of a system can determines the limits of the system as well.

The quality of hardware and need for powerful processing resources increases with the number of security cameras that are added, the streaming resolution settings of each individual camera, the number of background programs that may be also running on a server (known only to the customer), etc.

With the consideration of all the above, it is recommended to refer to the DW Spectrum IPVMS Maximum System Size support article and/or to consult your Regional Sales Representative for your area for support with designing your system.

You may also use the DW IP Storage Calculator to estimate the number and type of servers that will be required to support your surveillance system.

DW Spectrum Server Recommended Hardware Requirements

The specifications outlined in this document assume that the Server is dedicated exclusively to running the DW Spectrum Media Server with default settings. Concurrently running resource-intensive, third-party applications or services may introduce instability and will likely necessitate a hardware upgrade beyond those recommendations.

For Servers with Less than 64 Connected Devices

(HD IP Cameras, I/O, Encoders, HD Streams)

For Servers with Up to 128 Devices

(HD IP Cameras, I/O, Encoders, HD Streams)

For Servers with Up to 256 Devices

(HD IP Cameras, I/O, Encoders, HD Streams)

Testing and Hardware Tiers

How did we come to the above recommendations? Our hardware tiers were validated during stress-testing methodologies designed to simulate continuous, operational load. The goal is to ensure long-term system stability without persistent high resource utilization.

A single server stress-test example incorporates the simultaneous execution of the following intensive tasks:

• Recording Load: Ingesting main stream data (e.g., 2.5 Mbps and sub-stream data (e.g., 192 Kbps) while the storage system is actively performing overwrite functions on older footage.
• Remote Live View: Two separate remote DW Spectrum Clients, simultaneously viewing 8 high-resolution and 8 low-resolution live streams.
• Remote Playback: Two separate remote DW Spectrum Clients, performing playback, with the Timeline manually changed every 60-seconds, viewing high-resolution and 8 low-resolution streams.
• Local Playback: One DW Spectrum Client running directly on the server host machine, performing playback with the Timeline manually changed every 60-seconds.
• Transcoding: Active 720p video transcoding to support mobile or we-browser client access.
• Export Operation: Exporting of a 16-channel, 1-hour video.

Guidance on ARM-Based Devices

Digital Watchdog offers ARM-based Linux products including the DW CloudCam Camera Series and DW MEGApix Ai Camera Series.

• Production Suitability: Users considering ARM-based devices for production environments must be aware that these deployments require specialized knowledge and experience to ensure long-term stability and reliability.
  • Regular ARM device firmware updates.
  • Device firmware updates.
  • Hardware maintenance and cleaning.

Why We Avoid Stating Minimum Requirements

While the DW Spectrum Server program is extensively scalable and can be an efficient application, capable of running on low-powered devices, we are careful about publishing “minimum” hardware specifications.

The VMS environment involves too many variables, like the number of cameras involved, recording resolutions, AI applications, rule complexity, client viewing habits, and concurrent user activity, to define a reliable and constant minimum.

For example, a DW Spectrum Site with one camera and minimal user interaction could function adequately on modest hardware, whereas a Site managing 2,000 cameras, complex rules, and hundreds of daily user connections would require robust hardware specifications.

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For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Rev: 06/25                              Copyright © DW. All rights reserved. Specifications and pricing subject to change without notice.