Setup

C-Werk Setup Checklist and Best Practices

Before you install C-Werk:

Make sure all Servers are connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and have unique IP addresses.
To prevent frequent system updates, which can cause system inoperability, it is recommended to use Windows 10 LTSB or Windows Server (see Operating system requirements).
Install all the latest Windows service/update packs.
Synchronize the system time with world time and specify the correct time zone.
For each Server, specify a unique Windows host name.
Specify a new password for the account of local administrator.
Synchronize the time of all Servers and IP devices.
Create another administrator account for backup. Specify a password for it.

Hardware setup:

On each Server, install an additional SSD specifically designed for storing metadata. It is highly recommended not to store the metadata either on the system drive or on the drive to which the archive will be recorded.
If the total size of an archive on one Server exceeds 30 TB, then it is necessary to divide it into several logical disks less than 30 TB each. For example, if the planned total archive size is 100 TB, divide it into 4 logical disks, 25 TB each. This will increase the recording stability and eliminate the risk of data loss.
If you are going to use any kind of video analytics (including motion detection for motion-based recording and other detection tools), it is recommended to use an NVIDIA GPU to increase system performance. For specific GPU requirements, see Hardware requirements.

C-Werk installation (see Installation):

Recommendation on how to choose the installation type:

Server and Client: choose this type of installation if you have no more than 5 Servers in one location, which should operate within the same Domain.
Failover Server and Client: choose this type of installation if you have 5 to 30 Servers (minimum 3) in one location, which should operate within the same Domain.

If you have more than 30 Servers in one location, or if they are spread between different locations, but you need to have unified user management across all Servers, please contact your manager or technical support for consulting.

Server and Client

Use the port range 20111-20210 (see Network settings utility, Ports used by the C-Werk Software Package).
Metadata database:
1. The path to the metadata storage folder can be specified only once during the installation process. If you decide to change it later, you will have to re-install C-Werk (without losing your configuration or video archive).
2. It is highly recommended to install it on SSD specifically designed for storing metadata.
  Do not install metadata on system drive because Metadata size tends to grow over time, and if the system drive space is not sufficient it might cause system issues.
  Do not install metadata on the drive to which the archive is recorded because it will affect recording performance.
3. Consider the disk space required for the database (see Disk storage subsystem requirements). For example, ≈1.5 TB is required to store metadata for 30 days for 50 cameras.

Failover Server and Client

The path to the metadata storage folder can be specified only once during the installation process. If you decide to change it later, you will have to re-install C-Werk (without losing your configuration or video archive). To specify the database path during installation, select Custom installation type and specify the path in the configuration window.
It is highly recommended to install it on SSD specifically designed for storing metadata.
Do not install metadata on system drive because Metadata size tends to grow over time, and if the system drive space is not sufficient it might cause system issues.
Do not install metadata on the drive to which the archive is recorded because it will affect recording performance.

Antivirus configuration (see Appendix 4. Using C-Werk with antivirus software):

Add the following processes to the exclusion list:
1. consul.exe
2. nomad.exe
3. apphost.exe
4. postgres.exe
Add the following folders to the exclusion list:
1. C:\ProgramData\Grundig\C-Werk
2. C:\Program Files\Grundig\C-Werk
3. C:\Program Files\Common Files\Grundig
4. Postgres and metadata folders if their location is not default.
Add the following ports to the exclusion list:
1. 20109-20210
2. If Failover Server and Client installation type is selected, then also add ports 4000, 4646-4648, 8300-8302, 8500, 8600.

Initial setup:

Activate the licenses (see Creating an activation request, Activation by applying license file).
Change the root password (see Working with users).
Create another administrator account for backup. Specify a password for it.
For Server only: configure Client auto-logout after 1 hour (see Configuring automatic exiting and locking of the Client).
Create the archive before adding cameras (see Configuring archives).

Creating archives (see Configuring archives):

Divide the archive into several volumes located on different devices.
It is highly recommended to create archive volumes no larger than 30 TB each.

Camera configuration (see The Camera object):

Connect the cameras to the Servers.
Synchronize the time of all Servers and cameras with a single NTP Server.
Add the cameras to the system (see Adding and removing IP devices, Bulk creation of IP devices). Preferred protocol: ONVIF generic.
Multistreaming:
1. Set different high and low quality streams for each video camera.
2. Low quality stream settings should be lower than the High quality stream.
3. Enable GreenStream in the camera context menu on the layout (see Selecting video stream quality in a Surveillance window (GreenStream)) or in the layout settings (see Selecting the default video stream for all cameras on the layout).
Codec type*: H.265 or H.264 is recommended. If you plan to use the Web Client, then H.264 is recommended since using H.265 leads to the stream recompression on the Server side.
FPS: the Low quality stream frame rate should be at least 6 to ensure the correct operation of the detection tools.
Resolution:
1. Aspect ratio should be the same for Low and High quality streams*.
2. The Low quality stream resolution should be no less than 640x360 and no more than 1280x720 to ensure the correct operation of the detection tools.
Bitrate:
1. Recommended type*: VBR.
2. Set maximum bitrate/bandwidth values.
3. Recommended bitrate: 1 Mbps per 1 MP.
GOV (also known as GOP, I Frame, etc.): it is recommended to have at least one keyframe per 2 seconds.

*May differ for different camera models.

Archive recording configuration (see Configuring recording to an archive):

Link each camera to at least one archive.
Configure recording to the archive (permanent or triggered by detection tools) for each camera.
Make sure pre-recording is enabled (> 1 sec).
Note that after you re-create the archive, it is necessary to re-create all recording rules in the detection tool settings or Programming settings.

Detection tool configuration (see Configuring detection tools):

The motion detection tool should operate on a low quality stream (see Configuring VMD).
Using masks, exclude the areas of the frame which constantly trigger motion detection (for example, on-screen display (OSD) or TV).
Create automatic rules for recording to the archive (see Automatic Rules).
Use a NVIDIA GPU for the detection tools operation if there is one.

Automatic notifications (see Configuring macros and counters):

Create and configure an email notification (see The E-mail notifier object).
Configure a cyclic macro command (once a day) to check if all cameras are recording (see Checking for archive video recordings, Cyclical macros).
Configure event macros based on statistical data (CPU load, free disk space, see Triggering macros by statistical data).

Users and roles (see Configuring user permissions):

Create and configure the roles (see Creating and configuring roles).
Create the users (see Working with users).
Create the layouts and share them to users (see Configuring layouts).
Check your setup by logging in under different user accounts and verifying the interface and permissions.

Backups (see Configuration backup):

Create a new backup:
1. After you complete the system configuration.
2. Before you update to a new version.
3. After you update to a new version.
4. Periodically (recommended period is 1 month).
To restore the configuration, use the backup created on the same version of software (see Configuration restore). Example: if backup was created on v. 1.0 then restore it only on v. 1.0.

Web Client (see Working with C-Werk Through the Web Client):

Do not use H.265 in camera settings since it causes the stream recompression on the Server side. It is recommended to use H.264 for such cameras.
Change the HTTP port from 80 to a custom port (see Configuring the Web Server).

System check:

Monitor the CPU load (<= 60%).
Monitor the RAM load (<= 60%).
Monitor the disk load:
1. Active time is lower than 50%.
2. Average response time is lower than 1 sec.
Monitor free disk space: system drive has not less than 20 GB.
Use the statistics panel in Web Client (see Viewing Camera and Archive Statistics).

What are the C-Werk limitations?

The list of C-Werk limitations is given in the Limitations of C-Werk section.

What graphics card do I need to run C-Werk?

C-Werk needs a video card with OpenGL version 2.0 or above and the following extensions: ARB_vertex_program, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_ARB_framebuffer_object for OpenGL.
You can run OpenGL Extension Viewer (download) to check extensions.
C-Werk is guaranteed to work with:
discrete GPU NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE/GeForce 200 or higher (512MB) or discrete GPU AMD Radeon HD 5000, Radeon HD 6000 or higher;
integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 or higher.
Complete guide Hardware requirements.

How do I check if my camera is integrated with C-Werk?

Please refer to the Drivers Pack documentation web-page.
Download the list of supported devices from the latest release in xls.
Open the file and go to the C-Werk tab.
If your device is listed, it is integrated via the vendor protocol. When adding a device, select the model.
Full article Adding and removing IP devices
If your device is not listed, you can still use it in C-Werk:
Via General Device. General Device is a universal driver that enables Grundig products to work with almost all devices from the relevant manufacturer. General Device is a generic driver that supports nearly all devices from a particular camera vendor.
Full article Generic Drivers (General device, generic)
Via ONVIF.
Full article Notes on configuring video cameras connected via ONVIF
Via RTSP.
Full article Configuring connection of single-channel devices

How to install C-Werk?

Please refer to the Installation web-page.

How do I bulk create devices?

To create several IP devices at once in C-Werk, do the following:
Create a CSV file containing the parameters of the devices to be added.
Drag & drop the created file to the field in IP Device Discovery Wizard in C-Werk.
Complete guide Bulk creation of IP devices

How do I add and remove a Server from an Domain?

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Which ports are required for C-Werk operation?

All default ports used for C-Werk operation are listed in the Ports used by the C-Werk Software Package section.

For information on how to change the default ports, see Configuring the Server ports.

License

How is C-Werk licensed?

There are 3 types of C-Werk licenses:

C-Werk Professional.
1. Maximum number of Servers − 30, unlimited number of channels.
2. Some features.
C-Werk Premium.
1. Maximum number of Servers − 30, unlimited number of channels.
2. Some features.
C-Werk Ultra.
1. Unlimited number of Servers and channels.
2. All features.

Upon installation, the software will be launched in C-Werk Viewer mode with all features except archive recording.

Full article C-Werk license types

How to activate a license in C-Werk?

You can launch the product activation utility from the Windows Start menu: Start → Programs → C-Werk → Utilities → Activation utility.

Complete guide C-Werk Activation utility

To activate C-Werk, do as follows:

In the activation utility, create an activation request.
Complete guide Creating an activation request
Submit the received activation request to the Grundig manager.
Upload the received license file to the system.
Complete guide Activation by applying license file

How do I see features available under the activated license?

Run the activation utility Start → All Programs → C-Werk→ Utilities → Program Activation.
Full article C-Werk Activation utility
Save the license file.
Full article Saving the license file
Decode the license file on the Sale website.
Full article Decoding the activated license

Other

How to uninstall C-Werk?

To remove C-Werk and prerequisites, do as follows:

Remove C-Werk and delete the configuration.
Full article Removal
Go to Control Panel → Programs.
Perform the uninstall of Postgres NGP, DetectorPack, Drivers Pack, Guardant Drivers.
Clear the folder: C:\Program Files\Grundig.
Clear the folder: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Grundig.
Clear the hidden folder: C:\ProgramData\Grundig.
Remove the registry entry through the Registry Editor: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Grundig.

How do I connect to C-Werk-phone or tablet PC?

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Can I change the NetBiosName on the computer that has the C-Werk Server installed?

Yes, the C-Werk Server will be available under the new NetBiosName or IP address from the external network or under the Server name in the C-Werk configuration from the internal network.

The NetBiosName of the computer may contain up to 15 characters.

By default, the Server name in the C-Werk configuration corresponds to the NetBiosName of the computer on which it is installed. You can change the Server name from the Backup and Restore Utility.

Full article Changing the Server name

I don't have video from the camera in C-Werk. What should I do?

Ping the camera.
Check that the camera is available in the Web-Interface.
Check the connection settings (port, login, password) in C-Werk.
If the camera's integration with C-Werk is via vendor protocol, verify that the model and version of the firmware in the documentation and on the camera are the same.
How do I check if my camera is integrated with C-Werk?
If the camera is connected via ONVIF:
1. Check the connection in the ONVIF Device Manager.
2. Synchronize time between camera and Server.
3. Enable the ONVIF option on the camera, if there is one.
If the camera is connected through the RTSP protocol, check the connection in the VLC Media Player.
Check the network. The firewall, antivirus, SmartScreen, UAC and other software can use the port you want for connecting to the camera.
Make sure that C-Werk license file allows the sufficient number of video channels. If channels are not enough, please contact your Grundig manager to request the new license file.
How do I see features available under the activated license?

How do I configure multi-domain monitoring (Cross-System Client)?

Cross-System Client empowers users to connect to multiple servers on various domains and in different systems from a single client workstation.

Full article Cross-System Client

For this to take place, the following conditions must be true:

The Proffesional or Enterprise or Unified license is enabled on each server to which the client connects.
How is C-Werk licensed?
How to activate a license in C-Werk?
Connection to all Servers made via with the same user name/password combination on each Domain.

To configure connection to servers from different domains, go to Settings → Options → Automatic connection.

Full article Configuring Cross-System Client and autologon

How do I set up e-mail sending in case if camera recording stops?

If a specific video camera or a group of cameras does not record to the archive for some time, you can set up e-mail notifications about this. To do this, it is necessary to create a macro that checks if there is a record in the archive, and set up sending an e-mail notification when it is triggered. Do the following:

On the Programming tab, create a macro for the Check archive record events.
In the macro settings:
1. select a camera or a group of cameras for which you want to check the presence of a record in the archive;
2. select an archive to check;
3. specify the depth of the check.
Select the action to be performed if there is no record in the archive for the specified period. To do this, in the Execute if no video in archive field of the created macro, select the Notification: Send E-mail action. In the action settings:
1. select the used E-mail message object;
2. set the e-mail addresses to which the notification will be sent;
3. write the subject of the email and the message itself.

Complete guide

Checking for archive video recordings

E-mail notification

How to reduce the CPU load?

To reduce the CPU load, it is necessary to configure hardware decoding of displayed video. For a complete configuration guide, see Configuring hardware video decoding for display on the Client.

Besides, the detection tool settings can affect the CPU load − for example, decimation, fps, etc. Settings of each detection tool are described in the Configuring detection tools section. Please note that the number of detection tools should match the CPU capabilities. You can check it in the platform calculator.

How to restore the configuration?

To restore a configuration, use the Restore mode in the Backup and restore utility. For a complete guide, see Configuration restore.

Attention!

We can guarantee that your configuration will be fully restored if:

the backup was created on the same software version (including the build number);
the backup was created on the same PC (for licensing without the Guardant key).

How to configure C-Werk with NAT?

Consolidating the Servers from different networks separated by routers into the Domain, as well as connecting the Clients to the Server behind NAT is described in the Using C-Werk with NAT section.

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Documentation for C-Werk 2.0.