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Multiple Device Configuration Using the Axis Device Manager (ADM)
Multiple Device Configuration Using the Axis Device Manager (ADM)

In preparation for your Camera to Cloud (C2C) on boarding process, learn how ADM can be used to configure multiple Axis devices at the same

Updated over 3 months ago

Introduction

When you have multiple cameras recently acquired or provided, and you want for them to be ready for the Arcules web portal Camera to Cloud (C2C) onboarding process, but if you have to update their firmware and properly configure them, there is a solution: The Axis Device Manager (ADM). This application is the go-to-tool for fast and easy installation and configuration of new devices either one by one or in batches.

This article describes how you can use the ADM application for Windows, and by the time you finish this article's last step, your devices will be ready to be onboarded into the Arcules web portal.

Overview

First, you will need to install the Axis Device Manager application. This is explained in the Axis Device Manager Application Installation section. Then, you will need to incorporate the devices to the Axis Device Manager as described in the Adding Devices section. Afterwards, these sections below follow the steps required to properly configure your devices, including:

  1. Updating the Devices Firmware: Make sure all devices are up to date with the latest Axis firmware that corresponds to your camera.

  2. Updating the Devices Configuration: We need to make sure the device is reachable and can be accessed using the previously established credentials.

  3. Installing the Arcules ACAP Software: In the last step of the configuration, the ACAP software is installed to allow the future Arcules web portal connect to the devices.

Finally, the Validating the Status of a Device section, describes how you can check the status of a device to confirm everything is properly configured and ready to go.

Axis Device Manager Application Installation

Before start, make sure your devices are connected (power and internet). In case the devices you will use already have a password, you would need to reset these devices to properly defined a set of credentials that later will be used by Arcules ACAP software (instructions here: How do I reset my Axis product).

Note: The Axis Device Manager application is currently available only for the Windows Operating System.

  1. Go to: https://www.axis.com/support/tools/axis-device-manager#download-block

  2. Download and install the file called: AXISDeviceManagerSetup.exe

Adding Devices

After the installation is done, open the Axis Device Manager application.

  1. On the tool bar click in the first button, the one that says Add Devices.

  2. Another dialog titled Add Devices will appear.

  3. Enter the password for both devices (user: root, password: arcules).

    Note: You can select the checkbox Use this password for all devices without a root password to set the credentials for the other devices at the same time.

  4. After it has finished, you should see the Add Devices table with all the devices listed (the table's Status column is empty).

  5. Check all the boxes to select all the devices.

    Add Click in the Next button to add the devices to the Axis Device Manager.

    Click Finish and then you will see the following dialog.

  6. After the devices have been added, you should see them in the Manage Devices section of the Axis Devices Manager.

Updating the Devices Firmware

Now that devices have been added to the Axis Devices Manager, it’s time to update their firmware.

  1. In the Axis Device Manager application, select all the devices (either by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A, or by selecting one device and then pressing the Shift key and selecting with the mouse the remaining devices one by one).

  2. Right click on any of the devices to display the context menu and select Firmware Management and then Upgrade Firmware.

  3. You will see the following window

  4. Click Yes. Then, the Upgrade Firmware dialog will appear:

  5. When updating the devices firmware, we recommend to select one based on the information described in this link.

  6. After you click the OK button, go to the bottom part of the Axis Device Manager window and select the Task tab:

  7. In the Tasks section you will see the progress of the firmware update. Normally, it will take 5 minutes per device.

  8. Once the process is completed, you should see the devices’ firmware version updated in the Firmware column of the devices' table.

Updating the Devices Configuration

This step is required to run the device as the root user that was previously configured (in order to be able to install the Arcules ACAP).

  1. In the Axis Device Manager application, select all the devices (either by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A, or by selecting one device and then pressing the Shift key and selecting with the mouse the remaining devices one by one).

  2. Right click on any of the devices to display the context menu and select Configure Devices -> Advanced -> Set Configuration…

  3. The following dialog will appear

  4. Click OK, I understand!

  5. In the subsequent Set Configuration dialog, enter the following information:

    1. Uri combo-box: Select the Get option

    2. URL: axis-cgi/applications/config.cgi?action=set&name=AllowRoot&value=true

  6. Click Send

  7. The results of the configuration validation will be displayed in the Tasks section at the bottom of the Axis Device Manager window.

Installing the Arcules C2C ACAP Software

The ACAP package allows for devices to be properly managed by the Arcules web portal when registered.

  1. Download the Arcules C2C ACAP: Link here

  2. In the Axis Device Manager application, select all the devices (either by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A, or by selecting one device and then pressing the Shift key and selecting with the mouse the remaining devices one by one).

  3. Right click on any of the devices to display the context menu and select Install App...

  4. Follow the steps to select the ACAP file from your computer.

  5. In the following window where you are asked about to install any license, select No

  6. Then click on the Next button. In the following dialog, you will see a summary of the devices for which the ACAP will be installed.

  7. Click the Finish button. In the Tasks tab (located at the bottom part of the Axis Device Manager window) the progress of the ACAP installation will appear.

  8. Once the installation process has finished, the devices will have the ACAP software installed.

Validating the Status of a Device

Note: This step has to be done before the device is actually registered in the Arcules web portal (because the device username and password will change).

Once the ACAP installation is over, it's possible to check the status of the devices directly through the Axis interface.

  1. Go to the Axis Device Manager application.

  2. Click in the IP address of any of the devices listed.

  3. The default web browser will be opened presenting a small dialog requesting a set of credentials. Enter the previously configured credentials (user: root, password: arcules).

  4. The Axis configuration webpage will be opened.

  5. On the left panel select the Apps section.

  6. In the list of Apps, there will be one called Arcules Orchestration with a green light indicator on the left side of the name.

  7. In the right side of the Arcules Orchestration application there is a set of three vertical dots. Select them and choose the option App Log, that is going to open the log file.

  8. The log file will include the information regarding device configuration and status.

Conclusion

Now that the devices have been installed and configured using the Axis Device Manager, they are ready to be registered as camera to cloud (C2C) devices in the Arcules web portal. Follow the tutorial described here to learn how to do it.

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