User Guide

XX210-00-01

Guide for Configuring the NVR

as a Failover Unit
Vicon Industries Inc., 89 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York 11788
Tel: 631-952-2288 Fax: 631-951-2288 Toll Free: 800-645-9116
24-Hour Technical Support: 800-34-VICON (800-348-4266) UK: 44/(0) 1489-566300
Vicon Industries Inc. does not warrant that the functions contained in this equipment will meet your requirements or that the
operation will be entirely error free or perform precisely as described in the documentation. This system has not been designed
to be used in life-critical situations and must not be used for this purpose.

www.vicon-security.com
Document Number: 8009-8210-00-01
Product specifications subject to change without notice.

Issued: 613
Copyright 2013 Vicon Industries Inc. All rights reserved.

Guide for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Guide for Setting the ViconNet NVR as

a Failover Unit

This guide provides a step-by-step procedure for using the ViconNet

MacroBackup feature. ViconNet offers a specific mode that allows running an
NVR in backup mode. The purpose of this mode is to allow a hot standby
NVR to exist on the network and to take over the recording of an NVR that
failed.
This feature will not help in cases where the device encoding the video (DVR,
encoder, IP camera) has failed.

Description
The MacroBackup option is installed when ViconNet is installed and licensed
as an NVR (other ViconNet licenses do not support the MacroBackup feature)
on a PC that meets the NVR specification. It shows under programs and by
default is not being run.
It is important to understand that the MacroBackup feature requires that
several configurations be done in advance in order to work properly.

Guide for for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Pre-Requirements

MacroBackup feature is fully supported in ViconNet version 5.6 and

higher
ViconNet must be fully installed and registered as an NVR prior to
setting and running macro backup
NVR must be connected to the Nucleus of the system
In the Nucleus, set the backup NVRs to get CFN messages
ViconNet must be removed from startup and MacroBackup added to
startup instead (see page 3.)

Conceptual Operation
MacroBackup works by using the regular ViconNet NVR software installed in
a standby mode. It is setup with macros that are identical to those on the
NVR it backs up, so if that fails, the backup NVR will start its macro and run
the same recording routine until the original NVR is recovered and brought
back online.
The name for each macro on the backup NVR must be the same as the
name on the NVR being backed up; this way, when a failure message for an
NVR is received, the correct macro will be launched.
In the same way, when the failed NVR is back online, the MacroBackup will
stop its recording (NVR needs to be restored to same configuration including
its name).
The MacroBackup feature can also be used to run a macro for failed edge
devices (i.e., DVR, IP camera), usually to send an email notification.

Example
System has 3 NVRs (NVR1, NVR2, NVR3); each runs a continuous
recording macro for 25 IP cameras. The macro is scheduled to run 24/7.
User chooses to add a backup NVR for failure purposes.

1 additional NVR is added to the system.

This NVR will have 3 macros written, one for every NVR it backs up.
Each macro will be for continuous recording of the same 25 cameras
the specified backed up unit records.
The macros will be named NVR1, NVR2, NVR3, matching the NVRs
camera they are backing up.
NVR will be switched from running ViconNet to running MacroBackup.

Guide for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Configuring an NVR to Run in MacroBackup Mode

In order to configure an NVR (after it has been installed and registered) to
run in MacroBackup mode, take the following steps:

Ensure ViconNet is not being loaded on Windows startup.

Depending on the NVR installation, there might be a shortcut to
ViconNet in the startup folder. That shortcut must be removed.
To open the startup folder click START -> ALL PROGRAMS
Locate the startup folder and right click on it with your mouse
Choose open all users
The startup folder for all users will open

If a shortcut to ViconNet exists, delete it.

Guide for for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Add MacroBackup to the Windows startup folder.

Browse to C:\ViconNet\VNVer\BinRealease and locate the
backupmacro.exe icon (if you installed ViconNet in a different
folder, locate the file there)
Right click and choose copy

Guide for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Browse to the startup folder (see above)

Right click and select Paste Shortcut to create a shortcut of
MacroBackup
End result should look like the following screen (note that
various icons may exist in the startup folder depending on the
computer; those do not need to be touched)

Guide for for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

Limitations
MacroBackup cannot run at the same time ViconNet software or Vicon SMS
is running on the computer. MacroBackup is meant to run on its own
computer.
There are two ways to access the setup menu on the NVR running
MacroBackup:

Close the MacroBackup window and run ViconNet (cant run both at
the same time).

Use the regular ViconNet GUI to do all the setup required

Once done, close ViconNet and re-run MacroBackup

Do the configuration remotely.

The NVR running in MacroBackup mode will have the special

GUI on but will still be accessible remotely from every ViconNet
PC through the setup list (authorization depending)

From any ViconNet computer on the same system, choose the

backup NVR by name from the setup list; it will open the setup
menu allowing all setup actions

Guide for Using ViconNet NVR Backup

MacroBackup runs its own special graphic user interface, not the
ViconNet one.
Macro backup window waiting on log in.

It is recommended to set auto-login in ViconNet setup for the systems

running MacroBackup; this will ensure that if the PC reboots, the application
will log in and function properly.
MacroBackup window in running mode.

Vicon Industries Inc.

Corporate Headquarters
89 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, New York 11788
631-952-2288 800-645-9116
Fax: 631-951-2288

Vicon Europe
Headquarters
Brunel Way
Fareham, PO15 5TX
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1489 566300
Fax: +44 (0) 1489 566322

Vicon Germany
Kornstieg 3
D-24537 Neumuenster
Phone: +49 (0) 4321 8790
Fax: +49 (0) 4321 879 97

Far East Office

Unit 5, 17/F, Metropole Square
2 On Yiu Street, Shatin
New Territories,
Hong Kong
(852) 2145-7118
Fax: (852) 2145-7117

Internet Address: www.vicon-security.com