Home Security/file server.

[Outlaw]

I was looking at jbaldwinrobers (http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14236) post about the home print/file server and didn't want to thread steal.

Has/does anybody here run a home security system? By that I just mean cameras either around/in the house. This is going to be just an idea or though for me for a while yet as we have no place to do this yet.

I was curious on the type of hardware one would need/want for this type of system..

What I had in mind:
UP TO 8 Cameras (expandable to 16)
Recording 2 weeks worth of data (not sure on format/res)
ALSO USING THIS FOR:
File Server
Backup Server

Would not use for printer due to the fact this would sit in a closet of some sort probably in the basement.

OR

1 server for the security stuff and 1 server for the files/backups.

I also saw that jbaldwinroberts was going to use Xubuntu with Samba. I know I would have to check with hardware/software of the Security stuff but would this be a better choice over Server 2003 EE? I already have a copy with CALS(if needed).

I figure Server 2003 EE would be better for the files/backups but overkill in almost every aspect unless I was going to setup a domain which I have before for all of 4 pc's in the house. lol Anyways.. hopefully someone is/has done this and can help. BUT as always thanks for any input and advice!

Thanks,
Outlaw

[halcyonforever]

Things to point out on a security system:

What good are cameras without someone monitoring? Without active monitoring it only serves as a forensics tool and hopefully a deterent.

I would really recomend software that treats the camera as a motion sensor and only records motion activity... That will dramatically reduce your disk space usage and makes research alot easier... Sucks quite a bit to have to go through 8 hours of empty tape to find something that may or may be easy to spot.

Off-site storage. Make sure you have some way setup to replicate your security footage off-site. Doesn't do much good if the perp that your camera's catch pretty pictures of, walks up to the server and forcibly erases the hard-drive... Ideal istuation is an off-site server that recieves the duplicate footage live but only cache's about one day's worth of video

Redundancy. First a UPS ovbiously, but also be aware that if the cameras use an external power that needs to be on the UPS as well. Also consider a second power circuit. Easy tatic is to cut the power then wait for batteries to die... Also look into redundancy in your network connection for aforementioned off-site backup. This is one case where I would advocate stealing a neighbor's wi-fi as a fail over to someone cutting your phone/cable along with your power. Would probably be an easy arrangement and could even be a two way street... set up an access point for both networks and trade keys. That way if his goes out it can pick up on yours and vice versa. (I have that with my neighbors... if my network cuts out it picks up the neighbors, with limited permission)

Physical security to the server. Be sure to use "security through obscurity" (ie hide it)first, then harden the access point second. Network security, be sure to secure pretty much every port except those used for the video relay and file replication.

Notification. In addition to cameras I would use in numerous reed switches and relays wired through your paralell port connected to various doors/lights/valuable locations and connected to a digital map of your house. With the proper setup you can re-trace the steps of your perp without having cameras in sensitive areas and greatly assist law-enforcement with tracing the perps footsteps through the house. To turn all of this into a proper security system I would setup a client that can arm-disarm the system, and serve as a viewing portal to replay the last xx hours of video/switch activity.

Alot of this depends on the quality of crook you are looking to stop. Personally one of my job duties is security evaluation for a financial institution so I go at it with a different mind set.

I am now stuck on the idea of a real time display that combines motion sensing and reed sensors with a digital map overlay... very movie esque. Oh the ideas... I'm not going to get any work done because I will be planning this...

[Outlaw]

Whoa, didn't realize it has been that long. Sorry I was having issues posting before. Browser would lock when I hit Reply.

Anywho, That is a very detailed security setup. I think I should have been more specific with my thoughts as I don't think I have the funds and resources (which goes back to funds) to do that type of setup.

If I were able to afford that I would love to have all that redundancy in the event some was going to do this (assuming we had something worth all that trouble).

I do like the motion sensors though and it only recording on their detection of movement. That will help with HD space and also help with cost.

What kind of system resources do you think would be needed to run upto 8 cameras with all the necessary software? I don't want to be cheap but I don't want to overkill either.

This setup would mostly be for backyard and around the house/garage. I don't need to see the guy/girl stealing a pack of gum from the gas station down the block. :D Although that would be cool. lol

And thanks for the detailed response. Sorry I didn't get back sooner.

[J-Roc]

I've looked into this because i have recently recieved some free cammera's and a capture card.

On ebay you can get kits for $150-250 depending on the amount of cammera's. Also, most newer capture cards have 4-8-16-32 cammera inputs. You can get a 8 cammera card for less than $20 on ebay. Also, my capture card is pretty old and it was setup for motion recording so im fairly certain thats a standard function amongst brands. The software for my card also has remote viewing cappabillities so i could check in on things while abroad. Security cammera's and the capture card use BNC connectors on a coax cable, you can buy little adapters for cheap and use regular tv cable. Both cammera's i have are 24 volt so you'll probly need a power adapter to power them.

I hope this helps.

[edit]
Forgot to mention that almost all capture cards have audio input (the amount of inputs will vary) so you could stash microphones around the house and catch the thief's voice.

[Outlaw]

Actually it does help. I always forget to check Ebay and even Craigslist for almost anything. What kind of system are you running all that on? That is where my concern is mainly. I have a couple older pc's (P4's almost a GB memory) and just wondering if they would work, or if an upgrade would be needed.

Thanks for the info.

[J-Roc]

I havent hooked up the system yet but it was all attached to a early k8? system with 512mb ram and a 200Gb hard drive. The capture card is from 2001 so a top end system for that time period should be considered minimum for today.

Also, the capture cards will have minimum system requirements on the package description.

[jdbnsn]

This is one project I would LOVE to see a how-to worklog on, very interesting ideas here. Just be sure not not reveal your security soft-spots in the process. I really hope you build this.

[Outlaw]

As long as funds are good I think I may be able to start this project.

The system I would be running the security stuff from would be:

P4 2.0Ghz 400FSB
768MB RAM
30GB HD (testing to keep cost down for now)
ATI 32MB PCI GFX Card (probably wont be used)

[Ichbin]

Am i the only one that finds outlaws name ironic in this situation?

:)

[Outlaw]

lol, I actually didn't even think of that until now. But everyone, even the outlaws, have something they would like to protect. :D

[halcyonforever]

Some of the ideas I presented were a bit over the top but there are a bunch that can be done fairly inexpensively.

For example reed switches are pretty inexpensive right around $1-3 a piece.

The dual power circuit can be nixed for most people. I would still recomend the UPS but you could use that to provide power to other emergency services in the house... such as a TV for sorm warnings.

Scratch my whole access pannel idea... that was way over the top. Just an idea I hit upon that I thought would be interesting...

[J-Roc]

Yeah i would have to second a UPS, it's not going to protect you in thoes times the power is out for a long time but it will help stop the computer from turning off during short power outs, line drops, spikes. My UPS's works for about 10min when the power is cut but im running everything from my reciever, tv, computer, and monitors. So i think if you dedicated a UPS to an as energy effecient computer as possible(just the box), you could extend this up to 20min or even longer depending on what UPS you select.

[Outlaw]

I would definitely do the UPS and would get as big as I can depending on funds at the time.


**Not sure if this should be it's own post**
But what I think I can do sooner then the security is putting both my CS Server and extra PC into THIS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=11-123-126-02.jpg%2c11-123-126-03.jpg%2c11-123-126-04.jpg%2c11-123-126-05.jpg%2c11-123-126-06.jpg%2c11-123-126-07.jpg%2c11-123-126-08.jpg%2c11-123-126-09.jpg%2c11-123-126-10.jpg%2c11-123-126-11.jpg%2c11-123-126-12.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16811123126&Depa=0&Description=CHENBRO+SR10769-BK-H+Black+Pedestal+and+Rackmount+Convertible+Server% 2fWorkstation+Chassis) case. There is plenty of room for everything and should be enough air flow.

3- CD/DVD Drive Bays
8- HD Drive Bays
Enough room for 2 PSU's on top
Enough room for 2 motherboards side by side
2 120MM Fans at 113CFM (MID)

Hardware used-
PC1 (CS Server):
P4 1.7Ghz
768 SDRAM
40GB HD
CD-ROM

PC2 (EXTRA):
P4 2.0Ghz
512MB DDR
30GB HD (ATM)
CD-RW

[moon111]

As an occasional hardware reviewer, I never understood why these companies that make security products ever do reviews. Yes reviews are a good form of advertisement (if the product is good.) But for a product many might not know how easy or hard it's to set-up, the right review would educate. I might be able to afford the parts, but might not want the labour.

[grizzlyironbear]

Well you guys seem to have the hardware issue taken care of so let me be the devil's advocate if you will....First thing you have to take into consideration is the fact that the cameras WILL bring undue attention to yourself. The camera's are a great deterrent to the average thief, but to a professional, they are a neon sign in vegas. Also have to remember that the average in home camera system nets a higher electricity bill. you might want to look into possibly taking the tower thats doing the recording.....off-site. oh and look into getting the surveillance system on its own power lines APART from the house. that way if the thief decides to try to cut your power, the cameras will still be live. Also if they have any notifications of power, i would alter them so that you cant tell if they are on or not. This way the thief cant tell if they are REAL camera's or fake, and if there is no power indication, they will end up thinking they are fake, and letting you film them. :) just my two cents on the issue :)

[nevermind1534]

The best UPS is one that you make yourself. It will last far longer than any retail one.

[Outlaw]

Right now this is all in the setup and planning stage. It's not going to be put into effect for a while. I do understand that having a camera visible is going to be a "neon sign" but was also looking at the bullet cameras which from some of the dimensions are hard to tell what they would be unless you walk up to it (ex. 1"x3"). The UPS I will leave to the company because I don't want to risk loosing the equipment that is suppose to be running 24/7. My luck it would fail, blow out the PC, and we would get robbed while we were on vacation.. lol

I don't think I would be able to get away with having another power line run to the house. Plus wouldn't that mean another power meter which would show there is another line coming in? It's not a bad idea, just imo not doable with my funds and resources. Depending on the house and layout, I could have a generator backup that would kick in if the power went out. Obviously generators only last so long too but I guess it depends if you want that 500Gal drum out back or not. :D

Hopefully this addressed everyones input and thank you for sharing them. Hopefully we can get a house sooner then I think we can and I can get this started.

Thanks again everyone!

[halcyonforever]

The ultimate decision for something like this is the cost vs benefit vs risk equation. Don't go overboard on a security system that ultimately costs more than what you are trying to protect. Don't get your self in a position where you end up paying more than the cost of replacing what might be stolen.

Now most of the ideas presented so far are on the range that having a decent home theatre would justify the expenses because a simple spare computer and camera system is relatively in-expensive to put together. Once you start getting to the generator/alternative power/off-site monitor, then you have to really ask, is this worth it.

On the topic of real versus fake cameras at my previous job at a private college, we installed a fairly detailed camera system with active monitoring. At my behest we also installed almost twice as many dummy cameras with nothing but a darkened dome lens and a blinking led. I had a number of the active cameras pointed at locations where the dummy cameras were ovbiously "blind" (I set alot of the dummy cameras up with an intentional "blind" spot to the casual observer). Those cameras would continiously catch illicit activities because the individuals would just stand in the blind spot and think they were safe.

In a more criminally focused security system, you can use dummy cameras to increase the security profile, but can also cause a criminal to take an alternative route that may result in increased opportunities for detection. (using the above setup, I was able to covertly convince a criminal to take an alterntive route through a flowerbed with a particular type of dirt not found on the rest of campus, I was able to use the evidence of that dirt being on the perp's shoes and pants as a means of identification of the criminal)

[Outlaw]

I agree with the generator/alt power source and being worth it... I wouldn't go this route for that fact. Also I am looking to do a good system not the Million dollar ones lol althought that would be cool. This system would be more for "monitoring" the main points or ones that might be an issue. There isn't a lot that we own that would be worth actually breaking in and stealing. I'm not looking to spend 6G on this but just something that would be able to keep an eye out while we were on vacation or kids in the backyard.

That is funny though with the dummy cameras.