Intelligent Monitoring Configuration Tool Overview Software Version 1.0 and above EZPlugger 2004 Sony Corporation
Copyright Notice 2004 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. This manual may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form in whole or in part, without prior written approval from Sony Corporation. SONY CORPORATION PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL OR SUCH INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL OR INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF. Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice. Trademarks Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. i
Table of Contents Preface... 1 Introduction... 3 Device Configuration Workflow... 5 Setting Other Parameters... 6 Replicate Configuration... 7 Update Firmware... 8 iii
Preface Sony, a leader in audio and video and delivery systems has developed an end-to-end, IP based security monitoring solution. Sony s Digital IP Monitoring Solution is advantageous in a variety of markets including; medical, transportation, enterprise, retail, education and government. Sony introduces IP based security monitoring devices to the distribution channel for integration and resale across broad market segments to meet customer security requirements. The large scale deployments of Digital IP Monitoring Cameras and Video Network Stations present a challenge to the System Integrator because each IP camera or Video Network Station (for non-ip cameras) has a number of configuration parameters. While many of these parameters are provided to tailor the camera or gateway to its working environment a few key parameters are common to the basic deployment and operation of the devices. EZPlugger is a set of Wizards (tools) that allows the System Integrator to: 1. Quickly configure a large number of Sony Network Cameras or Video Network Stations for new installations based on a given network environment. 2. Replicate parameters from a source Camera or Video Network Station to all like device types found on the network. 3. Update the firmware in all Cameras and Video Network Stations on the network to the version included with EZPlugger. 1
Introduction In monitoring and surveillance applications, camera configuration can be one of the most time consuming factors in deployment. Configuring individual cameras with their network (IP) address and a minimal standard set of parameters has in the past required that each camera be accessed and the parameters set. The primary purpose of the IP Monitoring Configuration Tool (EZPlugger) is to allow the operator to establish a set of configuration parameters and then automatically propagate these settings to a number of attached Sony Digital IP Monitoring devices 1. The network (IP) Address of each device is automatically incremented to insure unique addressing. Additional functions include the ability to Replicate Parameters from a selected source device to other like devices on the network and Update Firmware of devices on the network. In addition, provision is made for generation of labels which can be attached to each camera or gateway making identification during their actual installation much easier. Network Cameras or Stations can be preconfigured at the System Integrator s facility prior to shipment to the installation site or, when necessary, configured at the installation site. EZPlugger is a set of Wizards (tools) designed for ease of use by operators that have little familiarity with network configurations or IP Addressing requirements. User oriented information is supplied as Help. For additional user information, click the EZPlugger icon on your Windows desktop. Then click Help on the EZPlugger application window. Note: Neither this document or the Help files are designed to teach use of the Microsoft Windows Operating System. Users should be familiar with the basic concepts of computer operation. 1 An IP Monitoring device can be either an IP Network Camera that connects directly to the network hub or switch or a Video Network Station used to attach a legacy camera which is not network compatible. 3
Device Configuration Workflow The EZPlugger tool is designed to assist in the New Installation of Sony Digital IP Monitoring Cameras and non-network cameras using Sony s Digital Video Network Station. EZPlugger can be used at either the System Integrator s facility or on-site at the installation location. In both cases the primary workflow is similar and illustrated to the right. 1. Cameras or the Video Network Stations are initially unpacked, inspected and then attached to the network. This connection can use a simple network hub, or switch. Each network device must be connected to a separate port on the hub/switch. Leave one port for connection of the EZPlugger host PC. Note: The discovery process will not work if you connect the IP Monitoring devices through a router. You MUST use either a hub or switch. 2. Once all devices are attached to the hub, connect the EZPlugger host PC (f not previously attached) and execute EZPlugger. EZPlugger will discover all attached IP Monitoring devices and identify them by device type/model. 3. After the discovery process completes, you will be prompted to enter a name that will identify the Configuration. Type the Configuration Name in the text box. EZPlugger will display a list of discovered devices. You should verify that the count returned by EZPlugger corresponds to the number of devices you have connected to the network. 4. You set the configuration information to match the installation location requirements and then execute the configuration process. All IP Monitoring devices are configured to match the settings. 5. Once configuration is complete you save the configuration information. 6. As a final step you print identification labels for each attached IP Monitoring Camera or Video Network Stations and apply the labels to their corresponding device. After configuration is complete the devices are disconnected from the hub/switch and boxed for shipment to the customer s location. Once the Sony Digital IP Monitoring Cameras and Video Network Stations have been installed on-site you connect EZPlugger host PC to the network, execute EZPlugger and then Device Discovery. After the devices have been recognized you recall the saved configuration corresponding to the customer s location. EZPlugger gives you an option to manually adjust the configuration of individual devices. EZPlugger will configure all the devices with the revised data. As a final step, print a summary of the configuration for future reference. Occasionally, IP Monitoring Cameras or Video Network Stations will be shipped to the customer s location prior to configuration. The same workflow is followed in this case. One exception is where individual cameras or stations require a different setting to one of the supported parameters. In this case you will be able to make this individual adjustment during the initial device configuration. Another exception is where Network Cameras have been configured prior to shipping but the Video Network Stations are to be configured on-site. In this case the initial Device Discovery following installation will recognize the additional devices and they can be configured at that time. 5
Setting Other Parameters Setting of parameters outside of those supported by EZPlugger is realized using the webpage available on each camera and making final adjustments. Using the information contained in the printed configuration report, determine the IP Address of the target camera and access the camera s webpage using the Web Browser on your computer. Refer to the User Guide for the specific IP Monitoring Camera or Video Network Station and adjust the parameters as needed. 6
Replicate Configuration Typically, additional device parameters are set to tailor the Sony Digital IP Monitoring Cameras and Video Network Stations to the specific operating environment. This tailoring process uses a Web Browser and is performed on one device at a time. (Setting Other Parameters) Again, this device by device approach can be very time consuming in a large installation. EZPlugger s Replication Wizard allows you to replicate (copy) a defined set of parameters from a designated source device to all like type devices (targets) on the network. The workflow is very similar to the workflow for Device Configuration with the exception that you would fully configure a single device setting all parameters using the Web Browser interface. The major difference in the Replication Wizard workflow is that following Device Discovery you will be prompted to select which device will be used as the source. All other like devices on the network are, by default, target devices. The specific parameters transferred from the source to all target devices are indicated in the parameter information document for each device type. Replication of configuration requires that all devices of the same type as the source/target are at the same firmware version. This is to insure that parameters transferred from the source are valid in target devices. Following the device discovery process and prior to the start of replication the Wizard verifies the firmware version on the target devices. If an update is required you will be notified to Upgrade Firmware before the replication process starts. Note: Replication of a configuration can take an extended period of time because priority is given to serving pictures from the device to Sony s RealShot Manager or other associated viewing system. Replication of a configuration is realized in a two step process. The parameters are first captured from the source device and then sent to each target device. The 2 nd step is a command sent to each device to load the new parameter settings. Until the load command is executed the original settings remain in effect. 7
Update Firmware EZPlugger s Update Firmware Wizard provides a simple way to bring all Sony IP Monitoring Cameras and Video Network Stations attached to the network to a common firmware level for each device type. The workflow for the Update Firmware process is similar to the Device Configuration workflow. Once device discovery is complete you are prompted to select which device types you wish to update. Upgrade progress is displayed. Note: Updating the firmware in a large number of IP Monitoring Cameras and Video Network Stations can take an extended period of time because priority is given to serving pictures from the device to Sony s RealShot Manager or other associated viewing system. Update firmware is realized in a two step process. The 1 st step transfers the new firmware file to each designated device. The 2 nd step is initiated by a load command to each device which causes the new firmware to be loaded into the device and the device to be restarted. 8