Preparing to add Axis video units

Before adding video units to your client accounts, you need to complete pre-installation steps, such as installing the latest firmware for your video unit, opening the default ports, and obtaining the owner authentication key (OAK) for your video unit.

1. Ensure that the video unit is Supported by Stratocast™ and that it is running the recommended firmware version for your device.
2. (Axis cameras only) If your video unit is already added to another Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) or Axis Video Hosting System (AVHS) service, contact the service provider to unregister the video unit.
   Important: You cannot add Axis video units that are already registered to another VSaaS or AVHS.
3. (Axis cameras only) If you are using the camera to record at night or in environments that are poorly illuminated, make sure that the camera supports the day and night functionality. With this functionality, the camera automatically switches to night mode when the ambient light goes below a certain level. Refer to the Axis website for more information.
   CAUTION: When recording at night or in environments that are poorly illuminated, Axis cameras that do not support the day and night functionality might produce video with poor image quality.
4. If your video unit was previously used by another video management system (VMS), restore the server settings of your Axis video unit.
5. Get the video unit’s serial number and owner authentication key (OAK). If you cannot find the OAK, contact Stratocast™ support.
   Important: Whenever contacting Stratocast™ support, make sure to have the video unit’s serial number. You can find the serial number in the product documentation that is provided by your video unit manufacturer. If you cannot find it, contact your video unit manufacturer.
6. Install the latest firmware for your video unit.
7. Open the following outbound ports that are used by video units:

   TCP 80, 443, 8080, 8081

   HTTP communication Axis dispatch servers

   TCP 21001 - 21050 (inclusive)

   Camera video streaming

8. Locate the video unit’s One-click camera connection button because you must press this button when adding your video unit (see the product documentation for your Axis video unit). If you cannot access this button, because the video unit’s location is inaccessible, do the following:
   1. Open the video unit’s web page.
   2. Click Setup > Basic Setup > TCP/IP .
   3. In the Services group, click Always in the Enable AVHS area.
      Because the video unit constantly tries to connect to the AVHS service by using the Internet, you do not need to press the video unit's One-click camera connection button.
9. To ensure that the process of adding your video units goes smoothly, it is recommended to do the following:
   1. Ping the Axis dispatch servers from your Axis video unit.
   2. Check the default gateway of your Axis video unit.
   3. Configure the DNS server addresses of your Axis video unit.
   4. Check the server settings of your Axis video unit.