> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gsfcorp.gitbook.io/macula/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gsfcorp.gitbook.io/macula/administration-guide-v1.33.0/connect-recording-servers-manually.md).

# Connect Recording Servers Manually

When you have installed and initialized your recording servers, it is possible to connect them to your central server and conduct all the configuration of the recording servers through the central server.

It is possible to add recording servers manually, by entering all the necessary data manually instead of searching for existing servers. This approach may be helpful when you know the network configuration but actual servers are unavailable - whether they are unreachable for some specific reason or even if they have not been installed yet. The central server will connect these recording servers and apply all settings as soon as these servers become available.

If the number of servers is large it may be wise, though, to use automatic discovery in situ to save time and eliminate possible misconfiguration.

{% hint style="info" %}
Recording servers must be installed and initialized before the central server can apply settings to them.
{% endhint %}

First, locate the corresponding menu item in Macula Console by selecting *Configuration* in the sections' panel and then clicking *Servers* in the menu on the left.

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Click the *+ New server* button on the upper panel to bring up the *New Server* dialog box.

#### Details

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*Details* tab comprises general server settings.

<table data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th width="215">Setting</th><th width="379">Description</th><th>Default value</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Title</td><td>User-defined server name</td><td>[empty]</td></tr><tr><td>Failover node</td><td>Makes target server serve as a failover node; option is available for servers without any device configuration</td><td>Disabled</td></tr><tr><td><p>Show Open VCA video</p><p>analytics license</p></td><td>Access Open VCA license management for the target server</td><td>[button]</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Connections

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Select one of the existing connections or create a new one to be used as server location. Click the *Change..* button to bring up the network selection dialog box.

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If you wish to add a new network at this step, click the *+ New network* button to bring up the network setup dialog box. After creating the connection, you will be brought right back to the server configuration dialog box, with the new network having been added to the server settings.

<table><thead><tr><th width="195">Setting</th><th width="368">Description</th><th>Default value</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Network</td><td>Defines server location in the network; you can select one of the pre-created connections or create a new one on the spot</td><td>Internet only</td></tr><tr><td>Local IP address</td><td>Only available if a local network is chosen above; server's local IP address in the selected network</td><td>[empty]</td></tr><tr><td>Server port (local)</td><td>TCP/IP port for incoming local connections from Macula Console and Macula Monitor</td><td>60554</td></tr><tr><td>HTTP port (local)</td><td>HTTP port for local video streaming; enter 0 to disable HTTP connection</td><td>8080</td></tr><tr><td>Enable multicast mode (local only)</td><td>Allow data transmission in multicast mode from this server to the connected Macula Monitor applications</td><td>Disabled</td></tr><tr><td>Internet address</td><td>External (Internet) IP address of the target server; if a pre-created network is chosen, Internet IP is loaded from network configuration and the field is non-editable</td><td>[empty] or [automatic]</td></tr><tr><td>Server port (external)</td><td>External TCP/IP port for incoming connections from Macula Console and Macula Monitor; may differ from the local port of the same purpose</td><td>60554</td></tr><tr><td>HTTP port (external)</td><td>HTTP port for local video streaming; enter 0 to disable HTTP connection</td><td>8080</td></tr><tr><td>SNMP port</td><td>The port to be used for outgoing SNMP traps (from the Event&#x26;Action scenarios) and for incoming requests (NOT traps!) from third-party SNMP managers</td><td>0 (disabled)</td></tr><tr><td>SNMP community</td><td>SNMP community for outgoing SNMP traps (from the Event&#x26;Action scenarios)</td><td>0 (disabled)</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Failover

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If you wish to make this server a member of a failover cluster, click the *Change* button to open the existing cluster list. To remove this server from the failover cluster, simply select *none* in the cluster list.

<figure><img src="https://412599993-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FeNXnJx0OpvxnmpWqOBNm%2Fuploads%2FFQ4tmBOMR9u7GkhXW1Ha%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=faee467f-4300-4363-97ba-fdf62b54db9b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you need to create a new cluster at this point, use the *+ New failover cluster* button: you will be redirected to the corresponding dialog box and then, upon completion, brought back to the server configuration, with the newly created cluster already selected for the target server.

<table><thead><tr><th width="190">Setting</th><th width="387">Description</th><th>Default value</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Failover cluster</td><td>Makes server a member of a specific failover cluster</td><td>[none]</td></tr><tr><td>Current failover server</td><td>Failover server currently running instead of target server, if any; this field is informative (non-editable) and is only available if the target server has not been selected to be a failover node itself</td><td>[automatic]</td></tr><tr><td>Failover timeout</td><td>Time in seconds to wait before the target server is considered to be unreachable and replaced with a failover node</td><td>600</td></tr><tr><td>Central server connection timeout</td><td>Time in seconds to wait for the central server connection on server startup; after the timeout, the target server will start without central server connection</td><td>300</td></tr><tr><td>Auto recovery</td><td>Enable automatic replacement of a failover node with the original recording server after its recovery</td><td>Disabled</td></tr><tr><td>Recovery timeout</td><td>Time in seconds to wait before replacing the failover node with the original recording server, thus freeing the failover node; type zero here to enable immediate recovery</td><td>600</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Membership

Server membership in existing server groups is displayed. If no groups exist, the lists will be empty.

Manipulate groups with the *Add* and *Remove* buttons below or by simply double-clicking the desired group. One server may belong to a single or multiple groups at once.

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#### Permissions

Add users and/or user groups simply by checking at least one permission for the target server; remove by clearing permissions - either by unchecking them or by clicking the *Clear* button below. You can also double-click users to remove them from the list of privileged users.

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#### Watchdog

Here you can see and edit the watchdog service settings for the target server. Please refer to the Server Watchdog section for a detailed explanation of this; we strongly advise against changing the default settings unless you absolutely know what you are doing.

#### Storage

Manage storage configuration for the target server from here: click *Open storage properties* to bring up the dialog box. Detailed information and guidance on storage management can be found in the Storage topic.

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#### Management

Click *OK* to save your changes and close the dialog box; the newly created server will appear in the item list. The buttons on the upper panel will offer the following possibilities:

* *Edit*: go back to the dialog box to change server settings
* *Assign group*: select server group from the list and make the target server a member of it
* *Delete*: remove selected server(s)
* *X*: deselect all

Double-clicking the selected server will bring up the server settings' dialog box for editing.

The filter panel at the bottom enables you to view recently added/updated items, as well as other relevant filters. The filter that is currently active is highlighted blue: click the *N filtered* button to reset all filters and display all the available items again.

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