Milestone X2, HX2, HX2P16 Getting Started Manual

Milestone Systems

Milestone Husky™ X2 NVR

Getting Started Guide

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

ii | Contents

Contents

Your new Milestone Husky™ X2 ............................................................................................. 3

Front view ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

Back view ........................................................................................................................................................ 4

Getting started checklist .......................................................................................................... 5

Before you install ........................................................................................................................ 6

Prepare network and devices ................................................................................................................... 6

Obtain a software license code ............................................................................................................... 6

Prepare your unit ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Turn on the unit and complete the Husky Assistant wizard ...................................... 9

Complete the Husky Assistant wizard ................................................................................................ 10

Install XProtect VMS ................................................................................................................. 12

Install a recording server ........................................................................................................................ 14

Install a failover recording server ........................................................................................................ 14

Download the latest XProtect® Device Pack .................................................................................... 15

Update Windows ....................................................................................................................................... 15

Install clients on other computers ..................................................................................... 16

Install XProtect Smart Client .................................................................................................................. 16

Install XProtect Management Client .................................................................................................... 16

System scaling ............................................................................................................................ 17

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

3 | Your new Milestone Husky™ X2

Your new Milestone Husky™ X2

You have just received:

• Milestone Husky™ X2

• Hard drives (if ordered from Milestone)

• Hard drive trays

• Power cable

• Getting started guide

Warranty agreement You can use your Milestone Husky™ X2 in different setups depending on your system
requirements:

• Standalone installation

• Multi-unit installation, where one Milestone Husky X2 takes the role of the management server and the

recording server, while other Milestone Husky X2 units are installed as recording servers

Milestone Husky X2 as the recording server in an existing XProtect system Note these flexible features:

• Milestone Husky X2 is shipped with XProtect video management software pre-loaded

• Husky Assistant completes the installation of XProtect to optimize the usage of Milestone Husky X2

• Milestone Husky X2 can be used with any version of the five XProtect VMS products by entering a valid

software license code (SLC)

Milestone Husky X2 exists in two models: HX2P16 and HX2, with or without a 16 x 1Gb/s PoE+ capable network
switch. This guide covers both models. The following sections will take you through the minimum steps to get
started with your Milestone Husky X2:

• Front view (on page 4)

• Back view (on page 4)

• Getting started checklist (on page 5)

For more product information and support, go to the Milestone Husky X2 product information web page
(https://www.milestonesys.com/HuskyX2-support/). You can also use your mobile phone to scan the QR code on
the back of the unit. This will take you to the same web page.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

4 | Your new Milestone Husky™ X2

Front view

Connectors

LED status indicators

LED colors

1. Left data hard drive bay

3. PoE

Blue means OK / Red means failure

2. Right data hard drive bay

4. LAN activity

Blue

5. Data hard drive activity

Blue means OK / Red means failure

6. Unit power

Blue means ON

Back view

Connectors

1. Power switch

6. 4 x USB 3.0 ports

11. eSATA storage port

2. Power supply

7. LAN port 2

12. I/O connector

3. DVI display port

8. Audio MIC

13. PoE+ network switch 16 x 1Gb/s (Option)

4. HDMI display port

9. Audio OUT

14. QR code for support and information

5. LAN port 1

10. Audio IN

15. Label with serial number

LED status indicators

LED colors

16. LAN ports activity

Flashing yellow

17. LAN ports link speed

Yellow = 100Mb/s. Green = 1Gb/s. Off = 10Mb/s

18. PoE switch LAN ports activity

Flashing yellow

19. PoE switch LAN ports power delivery

Green means OK / Red means failure

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

5 | Getting started checklist

Getting started checklist

This guide applies to all models of the Milestone Husky X2. Follow the checklist below to ensure that you carry
out the steps of your installation in the right order. Each step is detailed in the subsequent sections.

Prepare network and devices

• Assign static IP addresses to all system components and

cameras

• Make sure camera models and firmware are supported by the

XProtect system

• Cameras must be connected to the network, and you can

access them from your unit

Obtain a software license code

• Purchase XProtect software and obtain the license file

• Go to the Milestone website (https://online.milestonesys.com)

and register your SLC

This step does not apply to XProtect Essential+ systems

Prepare your unit

• Mount the unit using a shelf or rails to support the chassis

• Insert hard drives

• Connect peripherals, LAN, and power

On Milestone Husky X2 HX2P16, you can connect your cameras
and devices directly to the network switch LAN ports

Turn on the unit and complete the
Husky Assistant wizard

• Configure computer name and domain or workgroup settings

• Configure the network switch

• Select the pre-loaded XProtect software version or go to the

Milestone website (https://www.milestonesys.com/downloads)
and download the relevant XProtect version

Install XProtect VMS

• Detailed description of system installation (see "Install

XProtect VMS" on page 12)

• Detailed description of recording server installation (see

"Install a recording server" on page 14)

Download the latest XProtect Device
Pack

• A device pack is automatically included when you install the

XProtect software. For support of new devices and firmware
versions, get the latest device pack

Update Windows®

• Make sure that your Windows operating system is updated

with all the latest Windows updates

Install clients on other computers

• Install XProtect Smart Client (on page 16)

• Install XProtect Management Client (on page 16)

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

6 | Before you install

Before you install

Milestone recommends that you go through the steps described in the next sections before you start the actual
installation.

Prepare network and devices

1. Assign static IP addresses to all system components, devices, and cameras.

To prepare and configure your devices or cameras, follow the instructions provided by the camera
manufacturer.

2. Make sure that your cameras and devices are supported and connected to the camera network.

On Milestone Husky X2 HX2P16, you can connect your cameras and devices directly to the switch LAN
ports.

On the Milestone website, you can find a detailed list of supported devices and firmware versions
(https://www.milestonesys.com/supported-devices).

Obtain a software license code

Your Milestone Husky X2 is shipped with XProtect video management software pre-loaded, and you can use it
with any version of the five XProtect VMS products by applying a valid software license code (SLC). You receive
the SLC when you purchase the XProtect product. You can read more about Milestone XProtect products and
Milestone Care coverage on the Milestone website to find out which product matches your needs.

The SLC is printed on your order confirmation and the software license file is named after your SLC. Milestone
recommends that you register your SLC on the Milestone website (https://online.milestonesys.com) before
installation. Your reseller may have done that for you.

You can also run the free version of XProtect Essential+ on your unit. This version provides you with basic
functionality and a limited number of cameras compared to a purchased XProtect VMS system. In this case, the
license is provided with the installer. To receive this free license, your unit needs to be connected to the internet
during installation.

When you run Husky Assistant, you can see the version of the pre-loaded VMS. If you want a different version,
you can choose that option as long as you have a valid SLC.

If your unit is used as a recording server to an existing VMS system, you do not need an SLC. This setup is
covered by the SLC that you bought with the VMS system.

XProtect software is licensed through different types of licenses:

• Base licenses: Controls which XProtect product you can use.

• Hardware device licenses: Controls how many hardware devices you may connect to the Milestone

Husky unit. A hardware device can be a camera, encoder, or similar, identified by a separate IP address.
You do not need licenses for speakers, microphones, or input and output devices attached to the
hardware devices.

• Add-on product licenses: Your new Milestone Husky X2 can run any XProtect add-on product. Most

XProtect add-on products require additional licenses.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

7 | Before you install

After installation, the surveillance system runs on licenses that need to be activated before a certain period
ends. This is the grace period. Once the installation is complete, you can get an overview of your licenses for all
installations with this SLC on the Basics > License Information node in the Management Client.

Milestone recommends that you activate your licenses before you make the final adjustments.

• For online activation, log in to the Software Registration page with your My Milestone account on the

Milestone website (https://online.milestonesys.com/Account/Login).

• For offline activation, you must export a license request (.lrq) file in the Management Client, and then

log in to the Software Registration page and upload the .lrq file.

Once you have uploaded the .lrq file, Milestone emails you an activated .lic file for import.

Prepare your unit

Always place the unit on a shelf or use rails to support the chassis.

If you ordered the unit without hard drives, make sure that your hard drives are compatible with your unit.
For information on supported and approved hard drives, go to the Milestone Husky X2 product information
web page (https://www.milestonesys.com/HuskyX2-support/).

1. Locate the hard drives and slide them into the trays:

2. Use the supplied screws to fasten the hard drive to the tray in four places, two screws on each side.

3. Slide each tray as far as you can into the hard drive bays located on the front of your unit. Press the

spring-loaded front of the tray to close it.

4. Connect your peripherals: mouse, keyboard, audio, and cameras, to the backplane connectors.

5. Connect your local area network with internet connection, if available, to LAN port 1. This network is for

management and viewing.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

8 | Before you install

6. Connect your camera network to LAN port 2. If your unit is equipped with the 16 ports PoE+ capable

network switch, connect your cameras to the PoE+ LAN ports.

7. Connect the power cable and plug it into a power socket.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

9 | Turn on the unit and complete the Husky Assistant wizard

Turn on the unit and complete the Husky
Assistant wizard

Turn on your Milestone Husky X2 and wait for Windows to boot for the first time.

Configure the country, language, keyboard, and account information:

1. Select your region and click Yes.

2. Select the right keyboard layout and click Yes.

3. Add a second keyboard layout or click Skip.

4. Create an account with a user name and password.

5. Click Next and wait for the Windows desktop to appear.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

10 | Turn on the unit and complete the Husky Assistant wizard

Complete the Husky Assistant wizard

The Husky Assistant now starts automatically. This wizard helps you check, select, and configure your Milestone
Husky X2 with:

• Computer name and domain or workgroup

• Network switch configuration (HX2P16 only)

• VMS version

• Additional system optimizations

1. Select your preferred language and click Next.

.

2. Click Computer name / Domain changes to configure computer name and domain or workgroup

settings. When completed, Windows requires a restart to apply the changes.

3. Restart Windows and wait for Windows to boot.

The Husky Assistant restarts. Select your preferred language and click Next.

4. Because you have already configured the name and domain setting, click Next.

5. Configure the IP range of the network switch (HX2P16 only). Click Next.

.

6. You have three options:

• To install a standalone system with the pre-loaded XProtect version, select Install pre-loaded VMS

and click Next.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

11 | Turn on the unit and complete the Husky Assistant wizard

• To use your unit as a recording server, select the second option and click Next. Provide the IP

address of the computer with the management server installed, and credentials. The installation
files for the recording server will be downloaded from the management server later.

• To select another XProtect version, click the Download from Milestone link to download the

installation file. When your download is complete, click Next. Read the information page and click
Next.

7. The Summary screen appears. Verify your selections and click Setup to start the process.

• If you selected the pre-loaded VMS in step 6, the system automatically starts the installation of

XProtect. Continue to Install XProtect VMS, step 3 (see "Install XProtect VMS" on page 12).

• If you selected to install a recording server, continue to Install a recording server (on page 14).

• If you downloaded another XProtect version, continue to Install XProtect VMS, step 1 (see "Install

XProtect VMS" on page 12).

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

12 | Install XProtect VMS

Install XProtect VMS

The XProtect VMS installer installs all server and client components on your Milestone Husky X2. The recording
server is authorized, so you are ready to use the system after installation.

The recording server scans your network for hardware. Discovered devices are automatically added to your
system. Cameras are preconfigured in views, and a default operator role is created. After installation, XProtect
Smart Client opens, and you are ready to use the system.

When opening Management Client after installation, remember to assign cameras on both available data
storage drives. This ensures the use of all the available storage capacity and enables the best performance.

Microsoft® IIS is installed during the process. Afterwards, you may be prompted to restart your unit. Do so and
after restart, depending on your security settings, one or more Windows security warnings may appear. Accept
these and the installation completes.

1. Run the Milestone XProtect VMS installer file from the location where you saved it.

2. The installation files unpack. Depending on your security settings, one or more Windows

®

security

warnings appear. Accept these and the unpacking continues.

3. When done, the Milestone XProtect VMS dialog box appears.

1. Select the Language to use during the installation (this is not the language that your system uses

once installed. You select system language later). Click Continue.

2. Read the Milestone End-user License Agreement. Select the I accept the terms in the license

agreement check box and click Continue.

3. In Type the location of the license file, enter your license file from your XProtect provider.

Alternatively, use the browse function to locate it. The system verifies your license file before you
can continue. Click Continue.

If you do not have a valid license file you can get one for free. Click Download free XProtect
Essential+ license.

The free license is downloaded and appears in the license file field. Click Continue.

4. Select Single computer.

A list of components to install appears (you cannot edit this list). Click Continue.

5. In the Specify recording server settings window, do the following:

1. In the Recording server name field, enter the name of the recording server. The default is the

name of the computer.

2. The Management server address field shows the address and port number of the management

server: localhost:80.

3. In the Select your media database location field, select the location where you want to save your

video recording. It is recommended that you save your video recordings in a separate location
from where you install the program and not on the system drive. The default location is the drive
with the most space available.

4. In Retention time for video recordings, define how long you want to save the video recordings

for. You can enter between 1 and 999 days, where 7 days is the default retention time.

5. Click Continue.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

13 | Install XProtect VMS

6. In the Select file location and product language window, do the following:

1. In the File location field, select the location where you want to install the program.

2. In Product language, select the language in which your XProtect product should be installed.

3. Click Install.

The software now installs.

7. When the installation is complete, a list shows the applications that are installed on the computer.

Click Continue to add hardware and users to the system.

Note: If you click Close now, you bypass the configuration wizard and the XProtect Management Client
opens. You can make configurations, such as adding hardware and users to the system, in the
Management Client.

8. In the Enter user names and passwords for hardware window, enter the user names and passwords

for hardware that you have changed from the manufacturer defaults.

The installation program will scan the network for this hardware as well as hardware with manufacturer
default credentials.

Click Continue.

9. In the Select the hardware to add to the system window, select the hardware that you want to add

to the system. Click Continue.

10. In the Configure the devices window, you can give the hardware descriptive names by clicking the edit

icon next to the hardware name. This name is then prefixed to the hardware devices.

Expand the hardware node to enable or disable hardware devices, such as cameras, speakers, and
microphones.

Note: Cameras are enabled by default, and speakers and microphones are disabled by default.

Click Continue.

11. In the Add users window, you can add Windows users and basic users. These users can have either the

Administrators role or the Operators role.

Define the user and click Add.

When you are done adding users, click Continue.

When the installation and initial configuration are done, the Configuration is complete window appears, where
you see:

• A list of cameras and devices that are added to the system

• A list of users who are added to the system

• Addresses to the XProtect Web Client and Milestone Mobile server, which you can copy and share with

your users

When you click Close, the XProtect Smart Client opens and is ready to use.

Finally, when the Husky Assistant completes the setup process, click Finish.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

14 | Install XProtect VMS

Install a recording server

If you chose to use Milestone Husky X2 as a recording server in the Husky Assistant wizard, the recording server
installation starts automatically while the Husky Assistant wizard runs in the background. When prompted:

1. Select the Language that you want to use during the installation. Click Continue.

2. Select:

Typical: to install a recording server with default values

Failover: to install a recording server as a failover recording server, complete the steps described in

Install a failover recording server (on page 14)

Custom: to install a recording server with custom values.

3. Specify the recording server settings:

• Recording server name

• Management server address

• Media database location for saving recordings

Click Continue.

4. If you selected Custom:

1. Specify the number of recording servers that you want to install on this computer. Click Continue.

2. Specify the service account. If needed, enter a password and confirm it. Click Continue.

5. Select File location for the program file. In Product language, select the language in which you want to

install the server. Click Install.

6. The software is now installed. Once it is completed, you see a list of successfully installed components.

Click Close.

You can check the state of the recording server from the Recording Server Manager tray icon.

7. When the Husky Assistant completes the setup process, click Finish.

Install a failover recording server

After you have selected Failover in the recording server installation wizard, you continue installation as follows:

During the installation process, you are asked to specify a user account under which the Failover Server
service should run. This user account must have administrator rights in the system.

1. Specify failover recording server properties. Click Continue.

2. When installing a failover recording server, you must use the particular user account labeled This

account. If needed, enter a password and confirm it. Click Continue.

3. Select File location for the program file. In Product language, select the language in which you want to

install the server. Click Install.

4. The software now installs. When done, you see a list of successfully installed components. Click Close.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

15 | Install XProtect VMS

You can check the state of the failover recording server from the Failover Recording Server Manager
tray icon.

5. When the Husky Assistant completes the setup process, click Finish.

Download the latest XProtect® Device Pack

A device pack is a set of drivers that is installed with your XProtect system to interact with your devices. A device
pack is installed on the recording server. Milestone adds support for new devices and firmware versions on an
ongoing basis, and releases device packs every two months on average. A device pack is automatically included
when you install the XProtect system. To get the latest device pack, manually check for newer versions to
download and install.

To update your device pack after installation, go to the download section of the Milestone website
(https://www.milestonesys.com/downloads) and download the relevant installation file.

If your system uses very old cameras, you may need to download the device pack for legacy devices
(https://www.milestonesys.com/community/business-partner-tools/device-packs/).

Update Windows

To update your Windows operating system with all the latest Windows updates, go to Windows Update settings
and check for updates. Make sure to install all available updates and restart the unit if required.

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

16 | Install clients on other computers

Install clients on other computers

For best performance, you can access your XProtect system from other computers via dedicated clients:

• XProtect Smart Client used for viewing video

• Management Client used for configuring and managing the system

Install XProtect Smart Client

The XProtect system has a built-in public installation web page. From this web page, you can download and
install XProtect Smart Client on any other computer on the network.

1. To access the public installation web page, enter the following URL in your browser:

http:// [computer address]/installation/

[computer address] is the IP address or host name of your Milestone Husky X2.

2. Click All Languages and run the downloaded file.

To read more about installing XProtect Smart Client on other computers, see the XProtect VMS Getting Started
Guide on the Milestone website (https://www.milestonesys.com/support/manuals-and-guides/).

Install XProtect Management Client

The XProtect system has a built-in administrative installation web page. From this web page, administrators can
download and install the Management Client on any other computer on the network.

1. To access the public installation web page, enter the following URL in your browser:

http:// [computer address]/installation/admin

[computer address] is the IP address or host name of your Milestone Husky X2.

2. Click All Languages for the Management Client installer. Run the downloaded file.

To read more about installing XProtect Smart Client on other computers, see the XProtect VMS Getting Started
Guide on the Milestone website (https://www.milestonesys.com/support/manuals-and-guides/).

Getting Started Guide | Milestone Husky X2 NVR

17 | System scaling

System scaling

To be able to scale to thousands of cameras across multiple sites, the system consists of components that
handle specific tasks. If you have installed all components on a standalone Milestone Husky X2, you can instead
install the components on separate dedicated servers in a distributed system to scale and distribute the load.

Depending on the system configuration, one standalone Milestone Husky X2 can handle 133 cameras with the
stream configuration: 720p, 25fps, 2Mb/s.

Not all components are needed in all installations. You can always add additional recording servers, failover
recording servers, or Milestone Mobile servers for hosting and providing access to Milestone Mobile clients and
XProtect Web Client.

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About Milestone Systems

Milestone Systems is a leading provider of open platform video management software; technology that helps the
world see how to ensure safety, protect assets and increase business efficiency. Milestone enables an open
platform community that drives collaboration and innovation in the development and use of network video
technology, with reliable and scalable solutions that are proven in more than 150,000 sites worldwide. Founded in
1998, Milestone is a stand-alone company in the Canon Group. For more information, visit:
http:/ /www.milestonesys.com.