DW Spectrum Session Duration Limit

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Affected Roles: All Users

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS

Software Version: Version 5.1

Last Edit: August 20, 2024

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Session Duration Limit

DW Spectrum Servers can be configured to limit the session duration of a connected client session. A session duration limit is enabled by default, set to recommended maximum session duration limit of 30 days.

The purpose of this configuration is to allow more agency over system security and for better resource management on the Server by limiting how long any user can remain logged in to a Server before being automatically logged out by the system.

This article will outline this security feature for System Owners and Administrators.

**NOTE: DW Cloud client connections are unaffected by the Session Duration Limit. This feature will only affect local connections and direct IP connections.

Configuring Session Duration Setting

Administrators can find the Limit Session Duration setting in the System Administration > Security menu, under the User Activity section.

Setting Session Duration Limit

Check the Limit Session Duration to enable this feature.

A lease time can be customized as needed and set to a duration limit of days, hours, or minutes.

By default, the setting will be set to “30 days”. This value can be increased or decreased as needed. If the total time is set for longer, the system will display a warning that the recommended maximum limit should not exceed 30 days.

The session duration limit can be disabled altogether to allow users to access the Server indefinitely and never be automatically logged out. However, it is not recommended to do so as ongoing concurrent connections to the Server can increase Server resource use over time.

For more information on setting the Session Duration Limit, refer to the article DW Spectrum – Changing the User Session Time Limit.

Connections Dropping Before Session Duration Limit is Reached

Client connections will remain active and connected until the Session Duration Limit that has been set for DW Spectrum is reached. However, in some cases, users might suddenly lose connection with the Server before the Session Duration Limit is reached. Such a scenario is likely due to a loss of connection for other reasons unrelated to the actual feature. Some possibilities are outlined below.

DW Cloud User Connectivity

DW Cloud connectivity is reliant upon several factors to maintain a connection with a Server:

Server upload speed and network stability.
Client download speed and network stability.
DW Cloud service status (such as if there is ongoing maintenance or DW Cloud service issues).
Other factors that may prevent the Client or Server connection from communicating properly through the DW Cloud service.

Regardless of if the session duration limit feature is enabled or disabled, client connections may still unexpectedly disconnect. The session duration can only be expected to operate as expected if there is a stable connection. Ultimately, this may be unavoidable as DW Cloud services frequently require maintenance that can result in short periods of downtime.

Local User Connectivity

Local user connection is a more stable method for session duration limit configurations as it does not rely on additional variables such as DW Cloud services. However, it should be noted that a client connection with the Server is still reliant upon network connectivity. This is especially relevant if the DW Spectrum Server has been port forwarded for remote connections.

Local user connectivity is dependent upon:

Server upload speed and network stability.
Client download speed and network stability.
Other unforeseeable factors that can cause remote client connections to fail to maintain communication with the Server over the Internet.

Client connections to the Server on the same physical local network are typically more stable than remote connections and are less likely to lose communication to the Server. This is because local connections are not reliant upon the DW Cloud service or Internet services.

Communication for local connections would only fail due to:

The client machine experiences issues such as the DW Spectrum Client application crashing, OS restart, or if the DW Spectrum Client was manually closed.
Server related issues such as the DW Spectrum Server application crashing, OS restart, software version updates, or if the DW Spectrum service application has been stopped.
Local network issues such as router failure, network conflicts, etc.

DW Spectrum Mobile Application Connectivity

The DW Spectrum Mobile application falls under the same considerations as when using DW Cloud when connecting remotely using a mobile network (4G/5G) or an outside wi-fi service.

When connecting onsite via the local wi-fi, the considerations are the same as a local user connection using the DW Spectrum Server’s IP address.

The only difference is that DW Spectrum Mobile application connections have a hard session limit of up to 180 days, regardless of the Server’s Session Limit Duration setting.

Web Client Connectivity

When accessing the Server using its web client, the considerations are the same as when using either DW Cloud or a local user and the Server’s IP address.

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