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Hardware Components
The Steelbox Network Media Appliance and the Steelvault storage arrays feature a number of ports that provide connectivity to networks, devices, and system firmware updates.
Steelbox Network Media Appliance (NMA) Connectivity
Although Keyboard/Mouse/VGA ports are present on each appliance, they are not required for proper operation. All programming and administration tasks are performed via the Command Line Interface through a Telnet session or directly connected to the RS232 console port.
- Steelbox 1100 Hardware Components
- Steelbox 1250 Hardware Components
- Steelbox 2000 Hardware Components
- Steelbox 2500 Hardware Components
- Steelbox 3000 Hardware Components
Steelvault Storage Arrays
The Steelvault Storage Arrays provide the video repository the Steelbox NMA uses to catalog recorded camera streams. Multiple storage arrays can connect to single NMA through Gigabit Ethernet. Each storage array connects to the NMA via Ethernet port IF0. Some Steelvault units feature a second Gigabit Ethernet port, "IF1". This port is not currently used, and care should be paid when cabling between the systems to make sure the active connection, "IF0" is used.
Under normal operating conditions, all functionality of the Steelvault is monitored and accessible through the NMA to which it connects. Array health and all management tasks are performed directly on the Command Line Interface of the NMA.
- Steelvault 5100 Hardware Components
- Steelvault 5200 Hardware Components
- Steelvault 5300 Hardware Components
- Steelvault 5400 Hardware Components
- Steelvault 5600 Hardware Components
Typical Architecture
The components of the Steelbox solution work together to provide an infrastructure based recording solution for IP video. This methodology easily leverages existing networks minimize the impact of IP video within legacy infrastructures. Using multiple Ethernet ports on the Steelbox NMA, system administrators, integrators, and design teams can use the Steelbox as an aggregation point for IP video on the network as opposed to traditional solution that rely on transport of video from end point to end point.
Video streams can be processed through one or more ports of the NMA. This allows the Steelbox NMA to segment incoming camera traffic across diverse network infrastructures to obtain the total throughput of 1.5Gbps of video data.
Client workstations are typically located on a combination of existing network segments and new network expansion on the camera networks. The Steelbox NMA provides transparent connectivity between network interfaces as the source of the video data to clients. Client workstations obtain video data directly from the Steelbox NMA, both recorded and live, removing all information about camera and storage destinations from client visibility.
The Steelbox solution operates well in distributed recording environments. Through the use of Steelbox MPlex, the system can record MJPEG and MPEG4 video streams locally at a high frame rate and distribute the video to remote clients at a lower frame rate. Additionally, MPlex allows frame rate reduction over time saving disk space and maximizing storage capabilities.
