Protect recording databases from corruption

Camera databases can become corrupted. Several database repair options exist to resolve such a problem. but Milestone recommends that you take steps to ensure that your camera databases do not become corrupted.

Hard disk failure: protect your drives

Hard disk drives are mechanical devices and 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)
• Strong magnetic fields (avoid)
• Power outages (make sure you use an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS))
• Static electricity (make sure you ground yourself if you are going to handle a hard disk drive)
• Fire, water, etc. (avoid)

Windows Task Manager: be careful when you end processes

When you work 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 is not given the chance to save its state or data before it is terminated. This may lead to corrupt camera databases.

Windows Task Manager typically displays a warning if you attempt to end a process. Unless you are absolutely sure that ending the process is not going to affect the surveillance system, click No when the warning message asks you if you really want to terminate the process.

Power outages: use a UPS

The single-most common reason for corrupt databases is the recording 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 recording servers from being shut down abruptly is to equip each of your recording servers 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 you assess your needs, however, bear in mind the amount of runtime you 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.