The NR8201/8301’s chief features are the built-in gateway, DHCP server, and Power over Ethernet (POE) ports. The gateway and firewall built into the device means that the camera data can be separated from the other network traffic, which not only allows for added security, but also easier network management and reduction of network traffic. The NR8201 contains four 802.3af compliant POE ports which supply power directly to up to four cameras, while the NR8301 allows for up to eight. With these features, not only is separate DC power to each network camera eliminated, but a separate POE switch is also rendered unnecessary.

The NR8201/8301 recording is based on the popular ST7501 central management software. Users are able to set recording schedules based on time and trigger preferences, set different levels of access privileges, and play back video with a few clicks of a mouse. Vivotek cameras plugged into the NVR device are automatically detected and configurable within the NVR software. The NR8201 supports a single 2TB SATA hard disk and is expandable via eSATA, while the NR8301 supports up to 2 x 2TB hard disks. Both units also allow for backup via USB, lockable hard disks, rack-mount design, and certifications such as CE and UL, making them wholly suitable to professional grade IT installations. A variety of storage and recording options
means that the platform is wholly suited to the megapixel cameras which are the driving force behind the growth of megapixel surveillance today.

Users interested in building a complete Vivotek-based solution will be pleased to know the NR8201/8301 interface with the VAST professional series central management software. A central location running VAST can take advantage of the hierarchical architecture and access sites running the NR8201/8301 and their cameras, allowing, for example, an IT department to view all locations and all cameras from a single console.

Such a distributed system offers advantages by reducing network loading by storing the data on each NVR on each LAN and accessing them only when needed, and provides for additional fault tolerance due to the
multiple systems running independently.

Vivotek
www.vivotek.com