Introduction
EdgeVis v9.2 builds upon the introduction of EdgeVis Central Licensing (that launched to support EdgeVis Container in v9.1), and extends its capabilities to now support EdgeVis Hardware Encoders.
As part of the phased rollout of our new licensing system, we are only releasing an updated EdgeVis Server v9.2 and the first v9.2 Encoder firmware. We will roll out other components later in the year, including a release of VMS Gateway 9.2 in July.
Included in this release:
This release also marks the formal EOL of all v8 software - v8 now moves onto a final 12-month care and maintenance cycle, which will only cover major security issues.
EdgeVis Licensing and Central Licensing System
Version 9.1 (the previous release) was the first public v9 release that prepared users for the wider rollout of SaaS licensing to v9 encoders. It introduced the licensing necessary to support EVVR Containers, while simplifying support for v8 devices with the introduction of EdgeVis Legacy licences.
This release introduces the next step in a roadmap of releases to modernise our licensing scheme. Many customers are already licensed EdgeVis on a SaaS basis, and we are now introducing the appropriate licensing system to help you monitor and control your licences:
New SaaS licence types for EdgeVis v9 devices
As well as the standard One-In-One-Out licence (previously known as a Container licence), this release introduced Four-In-One-Out licences as a lower-cost licence for simpler deployments that can utilise quad-view to view all cameras simultaneously.
The first v9 firmware for hardware encoders
Going forward all new encoder features will only be released in v9 firmware. Not only does this firmware introduced support for SaaS licensing, it introduces a number of significant new features.
Ability to manage licences on a per-domain basis
Not only can licensing be managed at a server level, but v9.2 will, for the first time, allow administrators to manage licences on a per-domain basis. You'll be able to assign licences for the exclusive use of encoders within a particular domain, so that users in different domains don't use licences not intended for them.
More flexibility in licence management
CLS has been upgraded, firstly to list all licence purchases individually (with their own licence type, count and expiry), allowing users to see the breakdown of their entire licensing estate.
But secondly, you can now create separate licensing pools, so that servers/domains can be provided with exactly the licences you intend for them to use - this is especially powerful for per-domain licensing.
We appreciate that this is a big change and have created an overview document that explains:
What EdgeVis Encoders are supported by the new v9 firmware?
What the new licence types are, and the differences between them.
How to use the Central Licensing Service (CLS)
More info: EdgeVis v9 Licensing Overview
What do I need to do to prepare for v9?
If you already use v9.1 containers, you should be able to proceed with the upgrade seamlessly. All of your existing Container licences have been automatically converted to One-In-One-Out licences.
To upgrade your hardware encoders to v9.2 you must first contact Digital Barriers so that we can ensure that our licensing system contains the appropriate licences for your existing purchases.
Once we have provided the appropriate licences in CLS, we will supply you with the special gateway firmware to allow you to apply v9.2 to your encoders - this is to avoid users accidentally upgrading before licences are available.
Introducing EdgeVis Hardware Encoders v9!
As well as introducing support for v9 SaaS licensing, this release introduces a number of significant new features that expand the capability of your encoder. Additionally, most are available to EVVR Container users as well:
A whole new interface!
Hardware encoders are now aligned with EVVR Containers with the latest v9 user interface, while v9.2 introduces several new enhancements, including a whole new dashboard, as well as performance management tools:
4K input camera support
Most encoders can now accept 4K video feeds, record the original 4K footage to disk, and utilise the original 4K during full-resolution retrieval.
- 4K is not supported on the HD-IP470, EVVR-1R, and EVVR-1RL.
- EdgeVis transmission will still be limited to 1080p transmission.
Additionally, you can now choose whether to add your ONVIF camera in 4K or 1080p mode during addition:
USB camera input support
Any camera that supports UVC and either the YUV, MJPEG, or H.264 codecs can now be used with your encoder. Your encoder can support up to 2 USB cameras
- H.264 cameras are the most performant and support up to 4K but are harder to source.
- YUV and MJPEG cameras are limited to 720p due to processing overhead.
exFAT and large disk support
Users who utilise external USB storage devices can now take advantage of larger USB disks, expanding the maximum capacity of recording devices from 2TB to 8TB. This is made possible by the addition of the exFAT format to encoders.
Improved Object Detection
The built-in object detection of hardware encoders has been retrained and improved, helping EdgeVis identify relevant objects more reliably across supported deployments. Up to 22% better object detection recall compared with EdgeVis 8.7. The detector now recognises six key object types: people, cars, vans/trucks, buses, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Remote access over 4G modem
Users can now (optionally) whitelist IP addresses that are allowed access to the local web interface remotely over 4G. From within the encoder web interface, the Control local web access option in the Security and network section now offers additional options:
Support for the Sesanti CB-52 camera
Users now have the option of adding the CB-52 camera to EdgeVis encoders - when manually adding an RTSP camera, a new option is available to add the CB-52 camera:
New automatic SecureConnect entry for local web configuration
On new and upgraded encoders, there will now be an automatic entry for accessing the local web interface using EdgeVis Client and SecureConnect.
You will still need the encoder's web interface password to access this interface.
Hardware encoders also receive the v9.1 EVVR Container features!
The v9.1 introduced a number of new features that hardware encoders can now take advantage of:Boost mode for remote recordings download
(especially useful for 4K recordings!)
Improvements to ONVIF Profile S/T trigger transmission
In v9.1 all ONVIF Profile S/T events received by the encoder were sent to the server, which could result in poor performance and large amounts of disk usage on EdgeVis Server. This release introduces a second option (which is now the default) - only send the events if they are required by a CAMS alarm rule. This means only the requested events are transmitted, which can save over 95% of the bandwidth required.
However SDK users who want all events may want to change the setting to Send all events if they are using a secondary alarm system, using the SDK.
Other small changes/improvements
You can now configure your cellular modems so that they can connect using Auto, PAP, or CHAP connection methods (if directed by your SIM provider).
The list of modem APNs has been updated to update/remove out-of-date settings.
Users with Wireguard VPNs can use non-standard ports.
New EVVR Container updates
4K and USB Camera support
Containers also gain the same 4K and USB Camera support as hardware encoders.
Support for new licence types
v9.1 EVVR Containers supported the standard One-In-One-Out licensing mode (these licences were called Container in v9.1, and have been renamed to One-In-One-Out in v9.2).
The release adds support for the Four-In-One-Out licence mode. which can be selected during the initial configuration of your container, either using the local web interface or as an environment variable set during initial configuration.
More secure by default - containers now run as non-root
In line with best practices, this release upgrades the security of your container by running the container application using a non-root user. This means that the container runs as a standard user, and adds an extra level of protection in the event a malicious actor attempts to break out of the container.
More info: Upgrading your container from v9.1 to v9.2.
EdgeVis Server improvements
Per-domain licensing support
As mentioned earlier, administrators can now manage licences on a per-domain basis. You'll be able to assign licences for the exclusive use of encoders within a particular domain, so that users in different domains don't use licences not intended for them.
Domain-level bulk firmware updates
This release now allows domain-level administrators to manage the firmware on their encoders using the bulk firmware updater - this is now available from the Encoders settings section under Firmware management.
Web proxy web configuration
In previous releases, using a web proxy relied upon editing your server's configuration by hand - in this release, we have added a configuration page to the server's web interface to allow on-the-fly configuration of the web proxy setting.
Single Sign-on support can now be configured on a per-domain basis
This release extends the Single Sign-on support added in v9.1 so that it's possible to have a per-domain SSO configuration. This is now available within the User settings section under Single sign-on.
Domain and Server users can now utilise their organisation's existing Identity Provider to control which users can access EdgeVis Server and EdgeVis Client.