Cisco Cisco Video Surveillance Convergence Chassis 3RU Data Sheet

What: Cisco Systems

®

offers network-centric video surveillance

software and hardware that supports video transmission, monitor-
ing, recording, and management. These products protect customers’
existing investments in analog equipment while enabling these
devices to operate as part of an IP network-centric deployment.
Cisco

®

products enable any-to-any multivendor device interoper-

ability, allowing customers to build best-in-class video surveillance
systems that optimize price, performance, and function. 

Vision: Using the power of the IP-based Intelligent Information
Network, Cisco Intelligent Converged Environments video sur-
veillance products use a company’s existing investments in video
surveillance and physical security while enhancing the safety of its
people and protection of its assets. Video can be accessed at any
time from any place, enabling real-time incident response, investi-
gation, and resolution. The open, standards-based Cisco infra-
structure enables the deployment and control of new security
applications and maximizes the value of live and recorded video. 

Customers: Today, the majority of deployed video surveillance
systems are proprietary, single-vendor, analog implementations
that limit how, where, and when users can access video informa-
tion. Cisco changes this environment. Cisco core and advanced
technologies and convergence expertise help maximize video 
surveillance system owners’ return on investment and lower the
total cost of ownership in a highly scalable and secure manner.

Products: Cisco video surveillance portfolio works in unison 
with the advanced features and functions of IP network switches
and routers.

Cisco experience: As a user and a trusted advisor, Cisco has provided
networking expertise for years to forward-thinking organizations
that want to maximize the value of their applications, systems, and
personnel. This includes video surveillance operations made available
using the power of an IP-based infrastructure. Cisco understands
how to use the power of an IP network to deliver true innovation
that maximizes the value of systems and information.

• Analog-to-digital video camera encoders and digital-to-analog

video monitor decoders, known as “IP gateways”; the gateways
may be standalone modules or mounted in a Convergence
Chassis or Integrated Service Platform

• Video recording servers, known as “service platforms” 

• Video “Stream Manager” Software that provides video 

stream switching, recording, configuration, and monitoring

Cisco products differentiate themselves through performance,
function, and interoperability, and because they provide policy-
based access to real-time and recorded video anywhere, from any
network-connected monitoring platform (PC, dedicated video 
surveillance analog monitoring station, PDA, etc.).

Cisco provides an architecture for video surveillance known as
the Intelligent Converged Environment; it allows physical security
applications such as video surveillance to run on an IP-based net-
work infrastructure. Core (routing, switching, etc.) and advanced
(wireless, network security, etc.) Cisco technologies provide a
robust, proven set of features, making Cisco the ideal base to 
support world-class networked video surveillance.

• Recording: Receive and index live video surveillance feeds, and

manage its storage 

• Monitoring: Dynamically switch display(s) from one live video

surveillance feed to another 

• Archiving: Store recorded video for extended periods of time 

• Review and Export: Recall and view recorded video, and export

it as evidence

• Assessment: Assess video events in order to take appropriate

action

Any-to-Any Connectivity: 
• Access to video at any time from any place 

• Virtual matrix software uses the network to switch video

streams, with no change to the endpoint device 

Scalable and Reliable:
• Multicast support helps ensure intelligent and efficient band-

width utilization

• Integrated features for high availability

Flexibility:
• Linux-based for easy server deployment

• Use of standards-based video compression, including MPEG-4

• In the future video analytics and new applications will be added

via a URL-based API 

Open, Standards-Based Infrastructure 
• Allows new applications to use live and recorded video

Greater Video Surveillance Control and Protection 
• Enables real-time incident response, investigation, and resolution

• Reduced capital and operational costs, resulting in migration

away from proprietary single-vendor implementations

• Increased value from video, which can be accessed and used 

by many users and applications

• Ability to use existing investment in video surveillance and 

physical security

• Standalone video encoders and decoders, running Linux OS,

with MPEG-4 compression

• Distributed “virtual matrix” video stream switching between the

components of the surveillance system, without the need for a
central server 

• Full compatibility with leading analog and IP cameras, key-

boards, and monitors

• Superior video quality with very low latency—30 frames per 

second (fps) for NTSC; 25 fps for PAL; and CIF, 2CIF, 4CIF 
and D1 resolution

• Audio, contact closure, video, and data I/O ports for network,

camera, keyboard, and monitor connections

• Offered with 1, 2, or 4 10/100BaseTX/FX ports

• Dual streaming of video: Primary stream for live view at 1 to 30

fps with CIF to full D1 resolution; secondary video stream at
reduced rate or for storage

• Rack-mountable 16-slot chassis for Cisco Video Surveillance 

IP Gateway modules, and 10/100, Gigabit Ethernet, and USB
connectivity

• Connects to Cisco switch or router

• Future camera expansion is simple—just add a Cisco Video

Surveillance IP Gateway module

• Optional backplane with integrated 2-port Gigabit Ethernet

switch

• Optional contact closure and fiber to copper transceiver modules

• Optional redundant power supplies