Understanding Verkada's Approach: Why There's No Traditional Local Storage
If you're accustomed to traditional CCTV systems, you might be looking for the NVR, DVR, or microSD card slot on your new Verkada security camera. You may be surprised to find that there isn't one. Verkada has fundamentally re-engineered the concept of camera storage, moving away from these traditional, often failure-prone methods.
This guide explains Verkada's unique hybrid cloud architecture. We'll clarify why there's no need for separate local storage devices and how their innovative approach provides a more reliable, secure, and accessible solution for your video security needs. This isn't a problem to be fixed; it's a feature to be understood.
Key Concepts of Verkada's Storage Model
You may be experiencing the following 'symptoms' or questions when getting used to the Verkada system:
- You cannot find a physical SD card slot on the camera body.
- You're looking for instructions on how to connect the camera to a local Network Attached Storage (NAS) or DVR.
- You're concerned about what happens to your footage if your facility loses its internet connection.
- You are unsure how long video footage is actually retained on the camera itself.
- You have questions about the security and reliability of a cloud-based system.
- You're trying to figure out the best way to download large video archives for long-term keeping.
How Verkada's Hybrid Cloud Storage Works
Let's break down the core components of the system to understand how it all fits together without a traditional NVR.
1. The Role of Onboard Solid-State Storage
The key to the entire system is that every Verkada camera has a built-in, industrial-grade solid-state drive (SSD). This is not the same as a consumer-grade microSD card.
- No Moving Parts: Unlike the hard drives in a traditional NVR, this SSD has no moving parts, making it far less likely to fail.
- High Endurance: It's specifically designed for the constant writing and rewriting required by a 24/7 security camera.
- On-Device Retention: Each camera stores a rolling buffer of footage directly on the device. Depending on the model you purchase, this can range from 30 days up to 365 days of continuous video recording.
2. The Smart Bandwidth Cloud Connection
Verkada cameras are cloud-managed, but they are engineered to be incredibly efficient with your internet bandwidth.
- Low Bandwidth Usage: In their resting state, Verkada cameras use a tiny amount of bandwidth (around 20 kbps) just to maintain a secure connection with the cloud for health monitoring and status.
- Intelligent Streaming: When you access the video feed, the system is smart. If you are on the same local network as the camera, it streams the video directly from the camera to your browser, using no internet bandwidth. If you are remote, it streams the encrypted footage via the cloud.
- Recording During Outages: If your internet connection fails, the camera continues to record and store footage on its onboard SSD. As soon as the internet is restored, it automatically uploads this stored footage to the cloud, filling in any gaps in your remote timeline.
3. The Benefits of the Hybrid Cloud Approach
This unique architecture provides several distinct advantages over traditional systems.
- Enhanced Reliability: By removing the central point of failure (the NVR/DVR), the system becomes more resilient. If one camera fails, it doesn't affect any others.
- Increased Security: Footage is encrypted both in transit and at rest on the camera. There is no single box that a thief can steal to erase all your evidence.
- Scalability: Adding a new camera is as simple as plugging it in and connecting it to the network. There's no need to worry about running out of channels or storage on a central recorder.
- Accessibility: You can securely access live and historical footage from any device, anywhere in the world, through the Verkada Command platform, without needing to configure complex VPNs or port forwarding.
4. How to Access and Archive Your Footage
Accessing your video is simple and intuitive.
- Verkada Command: Log in to the web-based Command platform or use the mobile app. You can view live feeds, scrub through historical timelines, and search for events.
- Archiving: If you need to save footage beyond your camera's retention limit, you can easily create and download archives of any event. These archives are stored indefinitely in the cloud at no extra cost and can be downloaded to your local machine whenever you need them.