Limitations of free VM
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 7:00 pm
Hi,
I'm looking at a home surveillance recording system and have come across your firm in my travels. I have already looked at Zoneminder and, for a free product, found it to be pretty good. In fact I'd say it sets the bar for all (free and paid-for) products out there. My main concern with ZM is that development seems to have stalled and the future support is uncertain.
As far as my requirements are concerned, what I can say for sure is that I am looking for a software-only solution and will be using 2 or 3 IP-cams. And cost will be a significant factor in my decision.
Regarding your product, I have to say the cost of the paid-for product is rather high. That's not to say that it has been eliminated from my list but it will certainly count against it. That said, I have taken a look at the free VM you offer and was most impressed, given the limited tests I can currently run since I haven't yet bought any IP-cams! (It seems that the longer I wait, the choice of models increases and the prices reduce...)
Anyway, I have a few questions that have arisen as a result of my investigations:
1. Given your "black box" VM approach, is there any way for a VM's storage space (either free or paid-for system) to be increased once the system is up and running?
2. I see that there are online updates of the paid-for version but not of the free version. Does that mean that an update of the free VM will require the creation of a new VM, potentially losing data and configurations?
3. You allocate a port number to paid customers so that they can access the server remotely without using a DynDNS-type system. How long will the port number stay with the customer?
4. The product datasheet states that recordings on the free VM will be deleted after 1 day, which severely limits the usefulness of the product. Is this still the case?
5. Your site lists supported IP-cams. Does this list apply equally to the free and paid-for products? Is there any way to update the IP-cam list of the free VM, other than wait for a new release?
6. Is there much benefit in getting the 30-day trial of the paid-for product or is it pretty much the same as the free VM, except for the differences listed on the datasheet?
7. What are the ongoing maintenance costs of the 3-cam paid-for system after the first year has elapsed?
8. Https access seems to be very problematic. For example, Opera browser tells me:
a) the server name does not match the certificate name;
b) the certificate is not signed by a trusted authority. (indeed, it appears to be self-signed);
c) the server does not support secure TLS renegotiation.
and then drops back to http only.
Comodo Dragon says: "The site's security certificate is not trusted!
You attempted to reach 192.168.x.x, but the server presented a certificate issued by an entity that is not trusted by your computer's operating system. This may mean that the server has generated its own security credentials, which Comodo Dragon cannot rely on for identity information, or an attacker may be trying to intercept your communications." and then seems to drop https protection.
Firefox sends me through hoops but finally accepts the certificate at my own risk. So, unless you can offer a workaround, https access with a self-signed certificate seems to be problematic and apparently only possible with certain browsers. Is this a problem only with the free version?
Best wishes.
Edited: Re. question 3, I now see that's it's a paid monthly subscription.
Re. question 5, I've found the camera list update feature. The rest of the question still stands.
Question 7 and 8 added.
I'm looking at a home surveillance recording system and have come across your firm in my travels. I have already looked at Zoneminder and, for a free product, found it to be pretty good. In fact I'd say it sets the bar for all (free and paid-for) products out there. My main concern with ZM is that development seems to have stalled and the future support is uncertain.
As far as my requirements are concerned, what I can say for sure is that I am looking for a software-only solution and will be using 2 or 3 IP-cams. And cost will be a significant factor in my decision.
Regarding your product, I have to say the cost of the paid-for product is rather high. That's not to say that it has been eliminated from my list but it will certainly count against it. That said, I have taken a look at the free VM you offer and was most impressed, given the limited tests I can currently run since I haven't yet bought any IP-cams! (It seems that the longer I wait, the choice of models increases and the prices reduce...)
Anyway, I have a few questions that have arisen as a result of my investigations:
1. Given your "black box" VM approach, is there any way for a VM's storage space (either free or paid-for system) to be increased once the system is up and running?
2. I see that there are online updates of the paid-for version but not of the free version. Does that mean that an update of the free VM will require the creation of a new VM, potentially losing data and configurations?
3. You allocate a port number to paid customers so that they can access the server remotely without using a DynDNS-type system. How long will the port number stay with the customer?
4. The product datasheet states that recordings on the free VM will be deleted after 1 day, which severely limits the usefulness of the product. Is this still the case?
5. Your site lists supported IP-cams. Does this list apply equally to the free and paid-for products? Is there any way to update the IP-cam list of the free VM, other than wait for a new release?
6. Is there much benefit in getting the 30-day trial of the paid-for product or is it pretty much the same as the free VM, except for the differences listed on the datasheet?
7. What are the ongoing maintenance costs of the 3-cam paid-for system after the first year has elapsed?
8. Https access seems to be very problematic. For example, Opera browser tells me:
a) the server name does not match the certificate name;
b) the certificate is not signed by a trusted authority. (indeed, it appears to be self-signed);
c) the server does not support secure TLS renegotiation.
and then drops back to http only.
Comodo Dragon says: "The site's security certificate is not trusted!
You attempted to reach 192.168.x.x, but the server presented a certificate issued by an entity that is not trusted by your computer's operating system. This may mean that the server has generated its own security credentials, which Comodo Dragon cannot rely on for identity information, or an attacker may be trying to intercept your communications." and then seems to drop https protection.
Firefox sends me through hoops but finally accepts the certificate at my own risk. So, unless you can offer a workaround, https access with a self-signed certificate seems to be problematic and apparently only possible with certain browsers. Is this a problem only with the free version?
Best wishes.
Edited: Re. question 3, I now see that's it's a paid monthly subscription.
Re. question 5, I've found the camera list update feature. The rest of the question still stands.
Question 7 and 8 added.