Milestone Basis+ 6.5 - Manual (Page 129)

Milestone XProtect Basis+ 6.5; Administrator’s Manual
Protecting Databases from Corruption
In the Administrator application’s Camera Settings for [Device Name] [Camera Name] window (see
page 39) you are able to select which action to take if a camera database becomes corrupted. The
actions include several database repair options. While being able to select such actions is highly
valuable, it is of course even better to take steps to ensure that your camera databases do not
become corrupted:
Power Outages: Use a UPS
The single biggest reason for corrupt databases is the surveillance system server being shut down
abruptly, without files being saved and without the operating system being closed down properly.
This may happen due to power outages, due to somebody accidentally pulling out the server’s
power cable, or similar.
The best way of protecting your surveillance system server from being shut down abruptly is to
equip your surveillance system server with a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). The UPS works
as a battery-driven secondary power source, providing the necessary power for saving open files
and safely powering down your system in the event of power irregularities. UPSs vary in
sophistication, but many UPSs include software for automatically saving open files, for alerting
system administrators, etc.
Selecting the right type of UPS for your organization’s environment is an individual process. When
assessing your needs, however, do bear in mind the amount of runtime you will require the UPS to
be able to provide if the power fails; saving open files and shutting down an operating system
properly may take several minutes.
Windows Task Manager: Be Careful when Ending
Processes
When working in Windows Task Manager, be careful not to end any processes which affect the
surveillance system. If you end an application or system service by clicking End Process in the
Windows Task Manager, the process in question will not be given the chance to save its state or
data before it is terminated. This may in turn lead to corrupt camera databases.
Windows Task Manager will typically display a warning if you attempt to end a process. Unless you
are absolutely sure that ending the process will not affect the surveillance system, make sure you
click the No button when the warning message asks you if you really want to terminate the
process.
Hard Disk Failures: Protect Your Drives
Hard disk drives are mechanical devices, and as such they are vulnerable to external factors. The
following are examples of external factors which may damage hard disk drives and lead to corrupt
camera databases:
• Vibration (make sure the surveillance system server and its surroundings are stable)
• Strong heat (make sure the server has adequate ventilation)
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