What is pStor: Hikvision’s Windows-based video storage software
One of the most challenging aspects of video security systems is that they generate data—lots of it. A single high-definition camera, after all, can produce several gigabytes every day. With installations ranging from small retail stores to large enterprise deployments, the storage requirement grows very rapidly. Fortunately, Hikvision’s Windows-based pStor software creates a fully enterprise-grade solution that is as scalable as it is cost-effective.
It is not surprising, perhaps, that traditional storage solutions are fraught with difficulties. Traditional storage solutions often create headaches, including:
One of Hikvision’s key solutions to these challenges is pStor. This software solution—which runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system—greatly simplifies the storage of video and picture recordings generated by security devices attached to the HikCentral Professional platform.
Essentially, pStor accepts video streams and images directly from security devices and then processes them so that they can be rapidly retrieved at a later date. Finally, it distributes the data intelligently across available storage resources such as local hard drives, RAID drives, or NAS and iSCSI storage systems.
The pStor software can scale from small, single-location deployments to enterprise installations, thanks to its ability to support both standalone and cluster storage modes. Moreover, its lightweight architecture—a simple, .EXE executable installation package—means that deployment is extremely simple, both to set up and to manage and maintain over time.
The powerful feature set of pStor delivers many important benefits to installers, security professionals, and end-customers alike.
Video and image streams are transmitted directly from network cameras to storage devices without requiring forwarding servers, creating shorter data transmission paths with higher efficiency and lower costs.
All video footage is accessible from a unified platform.
Physical storage spaces are virtualized and consolidated into shared storage pools, which are dynamically allocated on demand. This overcomes the traditional limitations of single-device storage capacity.
pStor works with many types of storage devices, including local servers (HDD or RAID), and third-party storage resources (NAS, IP-SAN or FC-SAN).
A scalable clustering architecture is built for storage growth.
Relevant security footage can be rapidly retrieved in real time.
In cluster mode, the system supports automatic failover when any pStor storage node fails, ensuring uninterrupted video recording write operations.
These technical benefits make pStor perfectly suited to different types of use cases.
Retail chains: Centralized access to all cameras while maintaining local storage for daily operations.
Transportation: Vehicles generate continuous video streams that must be stored locally, then uploaded to central servers when connectivity allows.
Cost-sensitive projects: Utilize existing Windows-based storage hardware, extending the life of current investments.
Growing businesses: Start small, and expand seamlessly without costly system overhauls.
Hikvision’s pStor storage solution provides powerful capabilities that operate seamlessly behind intuitive interfaces. It allows security professionals to focus on protection rather than data management. In an industry where reliability and accessibility are critical, pStor ensures that essential and relevant footage is always just a click away.
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