Understand edge storage in video surveillance, how local recording and failover work, applications in low-bandwidth environments, SD cards, cameras and VMS.
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Edge Storage, also known as local recording, is an efficient recording architecture designed primarily for video surveillance projects in locations with limited or unavailable network bandwidth.
Edge storage can increase system reliability by preserving continuous recording and complete video evidence during network or server failures. In this role, it operates as a failover recording layer.
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Edge storage is especially important in mobile and remote applications such as public transportation systems, trains, buses, and agricultural operations where network infrastructure may be unstable or unavailable.
“This technology enables high-resolution data to be captured locally while lower-resolution streams are transmitted across bandwidth-constrained networks.”
Main Edge Storage Applications
Edge storage has two main applications in video surveillance systems:
- It is particularly useful in mission-critical environments such as airports and major transportation hubs, where continuous data availability is essential;
- It allows data to be stored directly on the source device, enabling operation in environments with unstable network coverage.
Recording Redundancy
In this context, edge storage can serve as an essential part of a contingency strategy. It provides an additional recording layer that complements centralized storage.
“Security cameras monitoring entrances and exits can use edge storage to maintain continuous recording even during network failures, reducing the risk of losing critical video evidence.”
Edge storage can record video locally whenever the centralized system is unavailable, or it can operate in parallel with the Video Management System (VMS) for continuous recording.
One of its main benefits is failover recording. During network outages or maintenance, video can be temporarily stored on the camera’s SD card.
When connectivity is restored and the system returns to normal operation, the central VMS can automatically retrieve missing clips from the camera and merge them into the existing recording timeline.
This improves resilience and helps prevent loss of critical video data.
Recording to secondary storage during a failure:
- During normal operation, the camera streams video to the VMS for storage.
- If the network fails, video clips are temporarily stored on the camera’s SD card.
- When the network returns, the VMS retrieves the missing clips and merges them into the recording.
Edge-storage redundancy can also be integrated with NAS (Network Attached Storage) architectures, depending on camera and VMS compatibility.
Low-Bandwidth Environments
Edge storage is valuable in systems with limited bandwidth, where continuous transmission of high-quality video may be impractical.
Combined with edge storage, advanced video compression can significantly reduce bandwidth and storage requirements while preserving relevant forensic information.
A typical example is onboard train surveillance. Edge storage enables continuous recording while the vehicle is moving because video is stored locally, eliminating dependence on a constant network connection.
When the vehicle reaches a station and network connectivity becomes available, recordings can be transferred to the central system.
Storage Cards for Video Surveillance
Storage cards used in video surveillance are predominantly based on Secure Digital (SD) technology, including variants such as SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity).
These flash-memory devices provide local storage capacity for devices such as video cameras and other embedded equipment.
In our Online Store, we provide SD cards designed specifically for video surveillance applications.
These cards are optimized for surveillance workloads. Industrial-grade models are designed for endurance and operation under demanding environmental and temperature conditions.
Cameras with Edge Storage
Cameras with edge storage can record video directly on an SD card, improving system resilience and enabling high-performance surveillance applications in remote locations.
In our Online Store, we offer a range of cameras designed for reliable video surveillance applications.
Video Management Software
Os Video Management Software (VMS) são componentes essenciais em sistemas de videomonitoramento, proporcionando uma plataforma centralizada para gerenciar e analisar feeds de vídeo de múltiplas câmeras.
When integrated with edge storage, a VMS can significantly improve system resilience and operational flexibility.
We work with leading manufacturers and certified technologies to provide reliable and advanced video-surveillance solutions.
Contact our Engineering Department to evaluate VMS options and define the solution that best fits your video surveillance requirements.
