Vivotek VS2101 User's Manual

Product name: Video Server (VS2101)
Release Date: 2005/06/29
Manual Revision: 2.00

Web site: www.vivotek.com
Email: [e-mail]

[e-mail]

Made in Taiwan. ©Copyright 2000-2005. All rights reserved

- 1 -

Before You Use

It is important to carefully examine the contents with the Chapter Package Contents
after opening the package. If there is anything missing, contact your reseller. Read the
Chapter Physical Description
peripherals. Understanding the physical description can prevent damage caused by
abnormal usage and reduce most problems during installation.

Basically Video Server is a network device and should be easy to use for those who
already have basic network knowledge. If there is a system error and it does not recover
easily due to erroneous configuration, read the System recovery
Troubleshooting

Video Server has been designed for various environments and can be used to build
various applications for general security or demonstration purposes. For standard
applications, find the appropriate section in the Chapter How to Use
and follow the steps to setup the system. T o make best use of Video Server , read Chapter
Advanced Functions
detailed explanations of system configurations. To those professional developers, the
Appendix URL Commands of Video Server
Web-based application.

to restore factory default settings and perform installation again.

to get creative ideas and review Chapter System Configuration for

before assembling and operating the device and

section in Appendix

for your application

will be a very helpful reference to develop a

Surveillance devices may be prohibited by law in your country. Though Video Server is
not only a high performance surveillance system but also a networked video server,
ensure that the operations of such devices are legal before installing this unit for
surveillance.

Those paragraphs preceding with
Ignoring the warnings may result in serious hazards.

must be fully understood and cautioned.

- 2 -

Table of Contents

Before You Use.........................................................2

Package Contents .....................................................5

Features and Benefits................................................5

Physical Description ..................................................7

Front Panel.................................................................................... 7

Rear Panel..................................................................................... 8

Installation ............................................................ 11

Ethernet Environment ....................................................................12

Initial Access to the Video Server.....................................................12

Initial Access to the Video Server.....................................................13

Modem Environment......................................................................14

How to Use............................................................23

Authentication...............................................................................23

Installing Plug-in ...........................................................................24

Main Page ....................................................................................25

System Configuration..............................................28

Introduction...................................................................28

Setup Wizard............................................................................29

Application Wizard.....................................................................29

Definitions of Configuration ..............................................30

Advanced Functions ................................................41

Capture Up-to-date Still Images ......................................................41

Uploading Snapshots Periodically.....................................................44

Customize Graphics in Homepage....................................................45

Command Script for Complex Applications ........................................46

URL for External Device Control.......................................................49

URL of System Maintenance............................................................51

- 3 -

Configure System via FTP...............................................................52

Telnet Commands..........................................................................58

Appendix............................................................... 60

A. Troubleshooting.........................................................................60

B. Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................61

C. Upgrade System Firmware..........................................................65

D. URL Commands of Video Server ..................................................66

E. Settings of Supported PTZ Cameras .............................................78

F. Camera Control Cable.................................................................79

G. Time Zone Table........................................................................80

H. Technical Specifications ..............................................................83

- 4 -

Package Contents

If any of the following items are missing, please contact your reseller.

Video Server VS2101

Power adapter

I/O terminal connector

Null modem cable

Software CD

Quick installation guide

Camera control cable

War ran ty

- 5 -

Features and Benefits

Video Server is a high-performance networking video multiplexer. With powerful VLIW
DSP core and fully optimized algorithm, it can compress and transmit the high quality
real-time video through standard TCP/IP inter-network. In addition to meet the basic
needs of video feed, many advanced features are added to help building applications of
surveillance or web attraction. The state-of-art design well compromises among stable,
robust, simple-to-use and flexibility.

☆ Real-time motion- JPEG compression

Video input can be efficiently compressed into packets of JPEG images without delay.
Optimal compression engine makes the equivalently excellent image with much smaller
size. There is no more sacrifice in remote monitoring and storage. Five levels of
compression ratio and three sizes of image resolutions are easy to meet your
requirement.

☆ Robust system operation

Industrial real-time operating system prevents from malicious hackers and virus that
threat Windows or Linux systems. The on-board watchdog eternally monitors the system
operations for dead-proof.

☆ Easy Web access via standard browser

Y ou don’t have to install any software to access Video Server. The embedded Web server
makes users can access Video Server anywhere over Internet with any popular Web
browser. As long as you are connected to network, you can cast your eyes on your
precious property.

☆ Password protection of system access

Password level protection is provided by the system to prevent from malicious intruders
from network. Once the password of administrator is entered, any user will need
password authentication to access Video Server. Each user can have individual access
right to view video or control external devices.

☆ Built-in motion detection

No more external sensors are required. The video channel can be setup to detect any
motion with customized settings. By tuning the object size and sensitivity, it is more
reliable to fit into your environment. With this built-in facility, you can easily setup a

- 5 -

security system in your home or office.

☆ Weekly schedule for automatic surveillance

The user-defined time period will repeat weekly to check any security settings and
accordingly sending notification or drive external devices. It is easy to install in SOHO,
retail shop and home as a security system.

☆ Flexible I/O control for external devices

There is one opto-isolated sensor input and one relay output to control external devices.
System integrators can easily replace the current analog systems to build an advanced
security system.

☆ Bundled powerful surveillance software

T o extend the capabilities of Video Server, a powerful surveillance program is included in
the package and totally free to use. Users can easily utilize the existing PC to be a digital
video recorder. Schedule or one-click recording keep every important moment in your
local hard disk; reliable motion detection and instant warning make you sharp for every
conditions. Quick and simple search and playback let you easily find the moment you
want to inspect more carefully and output to AVI files for ano ther copy.

☆ Remote system upgrade

T o achieve the promise we made to support our valuable customers in life-time, the most
up-to-date firmware is always put on our web site to add new functions or solve known
bugs. A free upgrade wizard is included to facilitate the job.

☆ Developer’s technical support

The high-performance Video Server can be integrated into many applications under
perfect control of budget. The complete programming interface and standard JPEG
format can ease and speed developers’ task. More creative ideas can be found on our
Web site.

- 6 -

Physical Description

Front Panel

BNC video input

75Ohms resistance video port for connecting an external camera. To ensure video
modulation type being correctly detected, cameras should be attached and powered on
before the Video Server is powered on.

- 7 -

Rear Panel

Status LED’s

Each time Video Server starts up, it will perform power-on-self-test, abbreviated as POST ,
to examine every hardware module. As soon as the administrator plugs in the power
connector both LED’s under the power LED will flash one by one until the diagnosis is
done. If the result is good, both status LED’s will turn off for a while and then follows the
pattern below. If any module fails, refer to the Appendix A for the error pattern and
follow the trouble-shooting procedures. If the system still cannot operate normally,
please contact your reseller for technical service.

Network Interface Condition LED2 (Heartbeat) LED3 (Status)

Ethernet

PPP with null modem

before installed OFF OFF
after installed flash OFF
during camera control flash Flash
after POST flash ON PPP with modem
before connected ON ON

after connected flash ON
before installed OFF OFF

after installed flash OFF

Ethernet 10/100 socket

Connect to an Ethernet network with a UTP category 5 cable of length shorter than 100
meters according to the standard. Once the Ethernet cable is connected without error,
Video Server will utilize the Ethernet interface prior to the modem attached to COM2.

- 8 -

COM port

This RS232 serial port can connect with a modem or included null modem cable to utilize
dial-up network when Ethernet is not available. If Video Server operates with Ethernet
interface, administrators may use this port to control PTZ camera attached to VIDEO.

General I/O terminal block

1 Å DI+ INPUT (Max. 50mA, 12VDC)
2 Å DI- INPUT
3 Å SW_COMMON OUTPUT (short with NC at initial state)
4 Å SW_NOPEN OUTPUT (Max. 1A, 24VDC or 0.5A, 125VAC)
5 Å RS485 B (inverting)

6 Å RS485 A (non-inverting)

Video Server provides a very flexible general I/O interface to combine with the user’s
security devices such as sensors, alarms, lighting or door locks. The general I/O terminal
block has six pins for device control. These pins can be divided into two categories based
on their functions, including RS485 and digital inputs and outputs.

If the device connected to COM has an RS485 interface, wire two control lines to pin 5
and pin 6. After switching to RS485 on the configuration page, the PTZ control
commands will be directed through pin 5 and pin 6. If the distance from the controlled
device is too far to allow accurate function, an external power source may be used to pull
high the RS485 signal.

Video Server provides one digital input and one relay switch. Pin 1 and pin 2 can be
connected to external sensor and the state of voltage will be monitored according to the
programmed scripts in configuration. The relay switch can be used to turn on or off
external devices.

- 9 -

Restore button

There is a button hidden in the box for restoring the system factory default settings.
When the system fails to install or operates abnormally, use the included assistant stick
in the package and follow the following procedures to reset the system back to its
original status.

Poke the assistant stick into the hole to press down on the restore button. Restart the
system by unplugging and re-plugging the power jack. While keeping the button pressed,
the system will perform POST twice rather than the usual once, which can be observed
from the flashing LEDs. After the system flashes the LEDs for the second time, withdraw
the stick to release the button. The system will have restored factory default settings at
that moment.

Power adapter

Connect the power jack of the included power adapter. Connecting the power adapter
should be the last operation while physically installing Video Server.

The power adapter of Video Server and the external power supply are prohibited to

exist together. Only one source can feed power to Video Server. Improper usage will
result in serious damage.

- 10 -

Installation

To easily fit into various environments, the Video Server automatically detects the
attached interfaces and configures itself to the best condition. Therefore users need not
care whether the connected cameras are either NTSC or PAL, how to select the network
between Ethernet and modem, and whether the Ethernet speed is 10Mbps or 100 Mbps.
If the connected motorized camera is on the support list, users only need to plug and
play without complicated configurations.

The Video Server supports Ethernet and modem interfaces according to the user's
existing network. Ethernet can provide higher bandwidth to achieve the best
performance while dial-up network with modem is more common in current Internet
applications. Refer to the related installation section for your network environment. If
both interfaces are available, Ethernet is recommended and will be chosen as the first
priority if Ethernet cable and modem are concurrently attached. Managing to install in
the other interface will automatically clear the previous network settings to start new
installation.

In the following content, "user" refers to those who can access the Video Server and
"Administrator" refers to the supervisor who has the root password to configure the
Video Server in addition to general access. Administrator should carefully read this
manual, especially during installation.

- 11 -

Ethernet Environment

Hardware installation

Before installing multiple Video Server’s at the well-chosen locations, the administrator
should memorize the serial numbers on the packages respectively for future use.

Cable connection

Shut down all the peripheral devices prior to connection. The video BNC, Ethernet cable
and power adapter are essential for basic viewing function. If the attached cameras
belong to the same motorized model, they can be concatenated to single COM port and
will be differed by camera ID set on the cameras. Refer to the related configuration
section for detailed description.

Power on

Make sure all cables are correctly and firmly connected. Before turning on Video Server,
remember to run Installer program on PC or notebook in the same network first. As long
as the “Reset network at next boot” option in network Web page is enabled, the
Installer program is needed to install Video Server. Turn on cameras, sensors, alarm
devices, and then attach power adaptor of Video Server to the electric power socket.
After the POST (power-on self test) is complete and the result is successful, Video Server
is ready for software configuration as described in this manual. At this stage, network
speed and video modulation type are automatically detected.

Connect the jack of the power adapter to Video Server prior to plugging the utility

end into the utility power socket. It will reduce accidental electric surge shock.

- 12 -

Initial Access to the Video Server

The Video Server can be connected either before or immediately after software
installation onto the Local Area Network. The Administrator should complete the network
settings on the configuration page. For complete protection from illegal usage, the Video
Server provides two privileges and always needs user name and password before access.
The standard level is the USER mode that consists of twenty user profiles. Each user is
able to access the Video Server except for system configuration. Twenty users’ profiles
are also maintained by the administrator. The highest level is ROOT mode that only
opens to Administrator for initial setup, system configuration, user administration and
software upgrade. The user name of the Administrator is internally assigned to “root”.

When connecting to the Video Server, users will be requested for user name and
password by an authentication message window. A root password, identical to the Video
Server's serial number, is needed for the initial access to a newly installed Video Server.
The administrator must change the root password immediately after the initial
installation to ensure security. The new root password should be well memorized since
there is no way to retrieve or recover it. After changing the password, the browser will
display an authentication window again to ask for the new password.

The other important part is network settings. The software configuration above makes
the Video Server easily accessed through local networks. However Administrator should
review the network settings on the configuration page according to the existing service.
The safe and easy way is to compare the network settings with another PC or
workstation in the same network.

By default the Video Server will acquiring IP address automatically every time it reboots.
If the network settings are sure to work all the time, disable the “Reset network at
next boot” option if this IP address is already reserved for this the Video Server.
Clearing this option will fix IP address of the video server every time it boots up. If the
option stays checked, the Video Server will pick up any available IP address
automatically every time the system boots up.

- 13 -

Modem Environment

Hardware installation

Though Video Server is designed to serve real-time images in Ethernet, it also supports
the dial-up network. To use a dial-up network, the Ethernet socket should be left
disconnected since Ethernet is the first priority among available interfaces. After
powering up, Video Server will detect if any external modem is connected to the modem
port . As soon as a modem is detected, the heartbeat LED will flash periodically. If no
modem responds, Video Server will assume the included null modem cable is connected
to perform system configuration. Then both LED’s under the power LED will turn on until
the dial-up connection over null modem is established.
Installations of both null modem and modem are introduced as follows. The null modem
mode can be used for point-to-point connection in local environment; the modem mode
also applies to TA in ISDN network. Though the baud rate can be setup to 115200 bit per
second, the actual data rate depends on the network connection.
In the following content, dial-in connection denotes a passive Video Server waiting for a
phone call to establish a point-to-point connection. Dial-out connection denotes an
active Video Server to dial out to the other end of a dial-up server or any Internet service
provider, abbreviated as ISP, to request a point-to-point connection.

Cable connection

Null modem mode

- 14 -

Shut down the peripheral devices prior to connection and keep the power adaptor
unplugged until other cables are firmly connected. In the environment without Ethernet,
administrators can use the included null modem cable to connect to Video Server directly
and access point-to-point. After necessary information is entered and saved, turn off
Video Server and remove the null modem cable. Follow the installation of modem mode
in next paragraph to connect to Internet. Note Video Server will not really reset system
where it is used to in null modem mode.

Modem mode

If users have setup a re mote dialup server or subscribed to an ISP service, Video Server
can be configured to dial to the server upon user-defined events. Otherwise it will wait
permanently for the user’s call to establish a network connection to provide services.
Before installation, make sure the necessary dialing information is correctly setup via
Ethernet or null modem connection.

Power on

Make sure all cables are correctly and firmly connected. T urn on cameras, sensors, alarm
devices, and then finally attach the power adaptor of Video Server to the electric power
outlet. Since most automatic detections of hardware perform when the system starts,
Video Server should be turned on after all peripherals are turned on and ready .

- 15 -

Software installation

Via Ethernet

Enter the COM configuration Web page and select the driver type as modem. Well
configure each field for dialing information. Refer to the COM section in Definition of
Configuration for detailed description.

Via null modem

Install a new modem

1. Open the control panel and double click the modems icon.

2. Check "Don't detect my modem......" item

and click on

to install a new modem.

3. From (Standard Modem Type) choose the
Standard 33600 bps Modem and click on

.

- 16 -

4. Choose the serial port that the included null modem cable is attached to and click on
. The null modem is now ready for use.

If no Dial-Up adapter exists
in the system, Windows may
automatically prompt to
install. Press

to
continue. If it does not start
automatically, double click
the network icon in control
panel to install Microsoft
dial-up adapter.

- 17 -

Setup a new connection

1. After the 33600 bps modem is installed, open the
dialup network folder in Windows to build a new
connection.

2. Select the device as the newly
installed standard 33600 bps modem

3. Just enter arbitrary digits as phone
number and click on

. The

phone number here is not important.

and click on

.

4. After clicking on

, this new

connection will display in the Dial-up
Networking folder and will be used for null
modem connections.

- 18 -

5. Right-click on the newly setup connection icon for entering properties.

6. In the first General page, clear "Us
code and Dialing Properties" option and
click on

7. Select 115200 as the speed and click on

e area

.

.

8. On the second page, only check "Enable software

c

ompression" and "TCP/IP" while leaving others

blank. Keep other settings as default values and click
on

.

- 19 -

Now the connection is ready to use for null
modem. Double click the newly setup
connection. A dialing information window
will pop up. Enter “root” as user name and
the serial number labeled on the bottom side
of the box as the password and click on

. Notice that the letters in the serial
number should be capital form. For example,
type 'A' instead of 'a'. After some negotiation
prompts, a connection status window will
show the speed is 115200 bps.

After connection is established successfully , go to the next section, First access to Video
Server.

If an error message indicates a hardware error while connecting for the first time,
especially in Microsoft Windows 2000 environment, try again to recovery the possible
detection failure.

- 20 -

First access to Video Server in null modem mode

Through direct connection by null
modem cable, administrators can
connect to “http://200.1.1.1” in
the web browser. “200.1.1.1”
will be the default IP address of
Video Server in dial-in connection;
“200.1.1.100” will be the given
IP address for the user's PC by
Video Server. The user name and
password are the same as what
was entered during software
installation.

After successful authentication, administrators should see the motion pictures in the
main page. When using Microsoft Internet Explorer, administrators must allow installing
a plug-in provided by Video Server additionally prior to viewing motion pictures.

Change initial password of administrator

For best security, administrators must change the password on the security page of
configuration immediately. After changing the password, the browser will display the
authentication window again to confirm the new password.

Manage user privilege

Administrators can add up to twenty user profiles in the Security option. While Video
Server accepts dial-in connection and acts as a server , the user name and password used
in dialing are the same as what is stored in the user database managed for web access.
Any managed user can be authorized during PPP negotiation and access web pages.
However, only administrators can access the configuration page.

Complete network settings

Basically the null modem is used to setup the later attached modem where Ethernet is
not available. Refer to the modem setting in the COM

section for details about ISP
information. After everything is set and saved, turn off Video Server and replace the null
modem cable with modem for dial-up network. Since the null modem connection is used
to configure Video Server in advance for modem connection, administrators cannot
connect again without restarting the system.

- 21 -

First access to Video Server in modem mode

If the dial-out is not prohibited and the attached modem is recognized, Video Server will
send out the system startup log and connection log by email or FTP according to user’s
settings as soon as the system is ready. That can be used to verify if the settings work.
Then Video Server will always wait for someone to dial in. To dial in Video Server, setup
a connection in dialup network on PC where the phone number is the phone line of Video
Server. After connecting successfully, start the Web browser and connect to
“http://200.1.1.1” . In this case, Video Server runs as a dial-up server and assigns the IP
address of “200.1.1.100” to the PC at the other end. While seeing the authentication
message window, type “root” as user name and the serial number of Video Server as the
initial password. The point-to-point connection allows users connecting Video Server for
surveillance at any time.

If the administrator has setup some conditions in the application Web page or the script
file, Video Server will automatically dial out based on the administrator's configuration.
Refer to the Application
security applications.

section in the Chapter Definitions of Configuration for special

- 22 -

How to Use

Open your familiar web browser and connect to Video Server just like a general web site
and the video will present on demand. Make sure the web address of th e target Video
Server is accur a te.

Authentication

After opening the Web browser and typing in the URL of Video Server, a dialogue window
will pop out to request a username and password. For administrator’s initial usage of
Video Server, enter the username as “root” and the password as the serial number in
capital letters. The serial number can be found on the labels under the body of Video
Server and the top side of the carton. The primary users will be allowed to enter as soon
as the administrator finishes adding user profiles. Upon successful authentication, the
main page will be displayed.

For demonstration purpose, enter the Security
demo account and choose permitted services. Once the demo account is setup, any one
may watch the video by using “demo” as user name while ignoring the password.
Different from primary users, the demo account has certain limitations that are
determined by administrators.

In the figure, the foreground is the
login window and the background
shows the message when
authentication fails. The user may
check the option to save the
password for future convenience.

Web page of configuration to activate the

- 23 -

Installing Plug-in

If it is initial access to Video Server via the Web browser supporting server push, the
motioned pictures will display directly. If the Web browser is Internet Explorer in
Windows, users will be asked to install a new plug-in that is provided by Video Server.
This plug-in has been registered for certificate and is used to display motioned pictures

in the Internet Explorer. Users may click on

to install the plug-in. If the web

browser does not allow the user to install, check the security option to lower security
levels or contact network supervisors.

- 24 -