IP video surveillance operating systems.
According to the generally accepted definition, an operating system (OS) is a set of programs that provide control of computer hardware, input and output of data, work with data, and execution of application programs.
The most widely known operating system is Windows, developed and improved by Microsoft. The reason for the popularity of this operating system is that Microsoft Windows is currently installed on most personal and portable computers. In fact, the user, once having chosen this operating system, does not tend to change his habit. As a result, demand determines supply — in Russia, almost all personal computers are supplied with a pre-installed Windows OS.
Of course, due to its popularity, the Windows OS interface is the most user-friendly, which is the main motivation for developers of various applications to use this operating system.
Microsoft is improving the operating systems of the Windows family that it develops, increasing reliability and reducing the likelihood of vulnerability to viruses. The current version is Windows Vista, which was developed in 2006 and replaced Windows XP.
Developers of modern digital video surveillance systems actively use Windows OS in their software products primarily due to its user-friendly interface and the prevalence of the operating system.
In relation to IP systems under Windows OS, both network video recorders (NVR) and operator workstation computers (Workstation) operate. o Inexpensive IP systems and so-called universal integrated systems, which are software that the user can install on any PC to work with IP cameras from various manufacturers, operate on the basis of user versions of Windows — Windows XP, Windows Vista.
Complete solutions supplied by a number of manufacturers – NVR or Workstation with pre-installed software – often use the so-called embedded operating system – Windows Embedded. Due to the fact that Windows Embedded provides extensive capabilities of the Windows operating system in component form, the developer can expand or limit the functionality of the finished device. For security systems, this allows for increased reliability and security of the device.
Another fundamental advantage of Windows Embedded compared to the user version of Windows is the lower cost of the license. Selling only software for creating an IP video surveillance system, the developer company actually shifts part of the cost of the system to the user, since the latter must purchase licenses to use the Windows OS. The manufacturer of the «boxed» version of the IP system, using Windows Embedded, includes the cost of the license in the price of the device, but this cost is an order of magnitude lower.
However, the most common embedded operating system today is the Linux OS, which belongs to the group of multitasking and multi-user Unix operating systems. Almost all IP cameras, encoders and decoders of network systems operate under this operating system.
The popularity of the Linux OS is primarily due to the fact that this operating system is an open source system. Unlike Windows, Linux is primarily a project that unites a large number of programmers and software companies around the world. Each participant can work on a common project or start developing a separate one. Everyone carries out independent testing of programs. The low cost of such developments and the high level of the free testing mechanism attract a large number of developers to Linux.
It should be noted that Linux OS is almost never used for Workstation IP systems. This is understandable. Linux OS is often criticized for its inconvenience in using on personal computers and laptops, primarily due to problems with hardware support and difficulties in setting it up. Unfortunately, Linux OS is not user-friendly for most PC users.
On the other hand, as an operating system for servers and NVR of a modern IP system, Linux is the best choice. Many distributions used together with Linux OS are absolutely free and allow solving various developer tasks.
There is an opinion in the security systems market that Linux OS is more reliable than Windows OS. Unfortunately, the reliability of devices with embedded Linux OS is often compared with that of personal computers with a user version of Windows. Such a comparison is certainly incorrect.
In turn, Microsoft often criticizes Linux, stating that the operating system is not very reliable and is vulnerable compared to Windows. It is difficult to figure out who is right. For now, both operating systems share the market, dominating in different segments: Windows — in the segment of personal computers and laptops, Linux as an embedded system is more often used for servers and network equipment.
Both operating systems coexist in network video surveillance systems. Thus, in professional IP systems, the NVR is a «black box» running Linux. The central server of the system, which administers all devices, stores and runs alarm scenarios, and reports on all events, is also a computer with Linux. However, access to all devices and programming is carried out directly from Workstation, which is controlled by Windows, providing a user-friendly interface.
It is difficult to say what the ratio of operating systems will be in the coming years. The free Ubuntu distribution for Linux contains a package of user programs for modern desktop applications and is updated every 6 months. User interest in Linux is undoubtedly growing. At the same time, Microsoft is actively promoting the embedded Windows Embedded CE system, declaring the possibility of access to the source code.
It is safe to say that the very presence of competition is already a positive fact that contributes to the development of technologies.
Time will reveal the leader.