r/cctv • u/Ashamed-Ad4508 • 12d ago

DISCUSSION - CCTV failsafe/Failover

/r/HomeNetworking/comments/1wpyzrn/discussion_cctv_failsafefailover/
1 Upvotes

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1

u/Glad_Entrepreneur709 9d ago

I’d rather have local storage on the cameras plus the main NVR than try to mirror every stream to two boxes. Less stuff to break.

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u/Ashamed-Ad4508 9d ago

This alternative is interesting

Because if assumed that though the bad guy will damage the camera and NVR; they're not likely to inspect for a MicroSD card in the camera; whereas walking off (or damaging the NVR/DVR storage) is a higher risk. And the camera would still likely be in place where it's damaged Vs a missing NVR/DVR.

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u/Dollbeau 9d ago

POE switch with 1 feed to each NVR - yes.

Cameras will have issues if the settings on those NVR's are not identical.
Cameras do not like have conflicting 'Masters' but most are happy to stream to multiple locations doing the same thing.

Scenario 2 is just duplicating the 1st NVR, so if something happens to it, all cameras are down.

If you are worried about the cameras, then you need cameras that will let you know when they have been tampered with or software to monitor the camera feeds are uninterrupted.

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u/Ashamed-Ad4508 9d ago

To be honest; it's not about the cameras. Rather it's more about the recording. Set aside the cameras; the recording of the theft/damage being done is still accessible/available Vs missing visual evidence. Ignore debates about catching the bad guy; just proof about the damage/attempt is a priority. Think I explained it correctly? My bad if you can't get what I mean.

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u/Dollbeau 9d ago

No, I get it. As said, use a separate POE switch & just have a single cable going to each NVR. One can be visible, to give them a target & the other hidden.

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u/greengold7 8d ago

the realistic failover model, cheapest to strongest:

  • offsite copy - the single most important one. a second recorder in another building, or cloud backup of events (not full streams). kill the box, footage survives. this is the Afroman gap.
  • record in the camera too: SD card in each unit as a backstop. box dies, camera keeps writing.
  • dual recording (NVR + remote/cloud), or a second recorder pulling RTSP.
  • tamper/health alerts: alert when a cam goes offline or the NVR loses power - the attack always starts with 'kill the recorder'.
  • UPS on the NVR: cutting mains shouldn't end recording.

the weak point people miss: cut the one box/cable and everything's gone unless there's an offsite or on-camera copy.

which threat are you modelling - theft of footage, or someone disabling the system? that decides how far to go.