DW Spectrum - Storage Backup

Server Archive Storage Backup

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Affected Roles: Owner, Administrator

Related Digital Watchdog VMS Apps: DW Spectrum IPVMS

Software Version: DW Spectrum Version 5.0.0.36183

Last Edit: August 20, 2024

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Storage Backup

The DW Spectrum Storage Backup feature allows users to back up archived footage from system servers and save the duplicated footage to other available locations such as local HDD’s, NAS, DAS or offsite cloud-based locations such as FTP sites.

This article will outline how to configure Storage Backup and how to manage backup configuration for things like specifying cameras, content, streams and other settings.

What is Storage Backup?

Storage Backup can be configured to:

Save captured high-resolution streams, low-resolution streams, or all video streams.
Save archived footage for all cameras or only specified cameras.
Save specific types of recording such as motion, objects, and bookmarks.
Execute with different bandwidth settings on different schedules.
Estimate how long the backup queue time will take.

Automatic Issue Detection

If the backup process cannot be executed or if there is an unexpected failure (Hardware, Network, etc.), DW Spectrum will stop the backup process. The DW Spectrum Server will tag the time then restart from the position where it was stopped.

If the failure can be fixed on the scheduled day then the backup will resume. Otherwise, the backup procedure will be pending until the issues preventing the backup have been resolved. Backup will then restart from the position where it was stopped.

Extending Overall Storage

Once a Storage Backup has been executed, the backed up archives will still be able to be played using the DW Spectrum Client even after the original archive has been overwritten on the server’s local storage. This can help to potentially extend the total amount of storage for the system.

For example, if a DW Spectrum Server computer only has local storage for up to 7 days before storage starts being overwritten and has enough extra storage that will keep footage for up to 30 days, the Backup Storage feature can be configured to back up the archive once per week but up to one month’s worth of footage will be able to be played back from the designated backup location when viewed through the DW Spectrum Client.

**NOTE: Each DW Spectrum server will only backup archived recordings from its own storage archive. In a multi-server environment, Backup Storage should be specified for every server in the system to back up footage from all cameras.

Backup Storage Management

To configure the backup storage locations, connect with the Server with the DW Spectrum Client desktop application and log in as the Owner (admin) or as a user with administrator permissions.

In the Resource Tree (left-panel), right-click on the Server and select “Server Settings”.
Select the Storage Management tab and use the dropdown to choose the path or storage location (local drive, NAS) that you would like to use for “Backup”.
Click the Apply button to save the settings.
Select the Backup tab to access the backup configuration settings. Use the following section (Backup Settings) for more information.

Backup Settings

After selecting the backup location, you have the option to further configure backup settings for specific cameras and content.

Select the Backup tab to configure the backup settings. Click the Apply button after making changes to the configuration to save the settings.

The last time that backup was completed will be listed at the top of the Backup > Settings menu.

A. Backing Up Specific Cameras

To backup archive recordings for specific cameras, use the toggles next to the cameras that you would like to select.

Hold the CTRL or SHIFT keys to select multiple devices for a batch edit.
Use the CTRL+A keys to select all cameras to back up all cameras.
Toggle the “New Added Cameras to automatically include new cameras as they are added to the server.

B. Backing Up Specific Content

Users have the option to back up all recording content or specific video clips based on the recording type.

Use the “What to backup” dropdown to select what content to backup.

All archive
Motion
Objects
Bookmarks
Motion, Objects
Motion, Bookmarks
Objects, Bookmarks
Motion, Objects, Bookmarks

C. Backing Up Specific Streams

The user can also select which video stream to back up from each camera.

Use the “Quality” dropdown to select which video streams to backup.

All streams
Low-res (low stream/2^nd stream only)

D. Backing Up Future Footage

To have the system begin backing up footage from the current point in time, rather than begin backing up footage that has already been archived, you can click the Skip Current Queue button.

When clicked, the backup process will ignore the existing footage in the archive and only back up recordings from that point forward.

E. Bandwidth Settings

Click the Bandwidth Limit tab to set a bandwidth mode.

No Limit – the enter archive will be backed up immediately and use the fully available bandwidth. The footage will be written to the Main and Backup storage immediately and simultaneously. The footage will be backed up from the last time that a backup was completed or from the earliest point in the archive if this is the initial setup for backup. Afterward, the server will continuously back up live streams.

Fixed – the backup will be performed immediately but will not exceed the network bandwidth setting. The footage will be backed up from the last time that a backup was completed or from the earliest point in the archive if this is the initial setup for backup.

Scheduled – the backup is performed only during the selected days of the week during the allotted times. Highlight the cells within the scheduling grid. The footage will be backed up from the last time that a backup was completed or from the earliest point in the archive if this is the initial setup for backup.
- Unlimited – backup will occur without a bandwidth limit during the selected times.
- Limited to – bandwidth will remain within a specific Mbit/s during the selected times. Be aware that if the bandwidth limit is set too low/slow, the backup may not be fully completed within the specified timeframe.
- No Backup – backup will not occur during the selected times.

This concludes how to configure the Backup Storage settings for your DW Spectrum Server. Each server will backup its own archive to its storage, so be sure to set the backup settings for each server if you are using a multi-server system.

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: 866.446.3595 (option 4)

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

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DW Sales: 866.446.3595 [email protected] www.digital-watchdog.com