Install guide (Windows)

Requirements

Sentinel runs on a dedicated Windows PC. Recording copies each camera's own video stream without re-encoding it, so it uses very little processor time. The S.I. detection is what sets the processor size.

• Measured: on our 8-camera reference PC (6-core Ryzen 5 5600G, Windows 10 Pro), S.I. used about 55 to 60% of the processor and recording plus live view used under 10%. Every 16-camera figure is estimated and hasn't been tested at that size yet.
• 32, 64 and 128 cameras (estimated): call us. We estimate those sizes need more cores, faster network cards and RAID or NAS-class storage, and we size them per site.
• Avoid Windows Home. It isn't a good fit for always-on services or remote management.
• Graphics cards: today's installer runs S.I. on the processor and doesn't use a graphics card.
• Storage rule of thumb: TB per camera per 30 days ≈ the camera's total bitrate in Mbps × 0.324. For planning, allow about 1.5 TB per 4 MP camera per 30 days, then add 20%.
• Network: put the cameras on their own VLAN or subnet, and give the Sentinel PC a static IP address (or a DHCP reservation).
• Viewing: any current Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari browser, on a PC or phone. No plugins.

Run the installer

J&J Technical Services gives you the installer file. There's no public download link. Everything Sentinel needs (its runtime, the video tools and the S.I. models) is inside the installer, so nothing else has to be installed first.

1. Sign in to Windows as an administrator. The installer asks for administrator rights because it sets up Windows services and firewall rules.
2. Run the installer and read the Welcome page. It explains that Sentinel installs as Windows services for recording, S.I. and automatic updates. If Sentinel is already installed it is upgraded in place, and your cameras, settings, users and recordings are kept.
3. Accept the license agreement. You can't continue without accepting it.
4. Choose the install folder. The default is C:\Program Files\JJSentinelNVR. Most sites keep the default.
5. Let it install. It stops any Sentinel services that are already running, copies the files, sets up the services and firewall rules, then starts the services. This takes a few minutes.
6. Finish. The last page says the recording and S.I. services are running and that the console opens at http://localhost:8000/ on this PC. Leave Launch J&J Sentinel ticked to open it now. The installer also adds a J&J Sentinel NVR shortcut on the desktop and in the Start menu.

Firewall rules

The installer adds these inbound rules to Windows Defender Firewall. The uninstaller removes them.

In development The next update checks the camera search rule when Sentinel starts and puts it back if it's missing. It also accepts replies from any private address range, so cameras still on a factory address in another private subnet can be found.

The Windows services

Sentinel runs as Windows services, so it records even when nobody is signed in to the PC. They start automatically with Windows. You'll find them in the Windows Services app.

The log files are in C:\ProgramData\JJSentinelNVR\. The camera stream log, ingest.log, is in the relay folder inside it. See Where the logs are.

In development The next update also sets Windows to restart any Sentinel service on its own within seconds if it stops.

Where Sentinel keeps its data

• C:\Program Files\JJSentinelNVR: the program files. Updates replace these.
• C:\ProgramData\JJSentinelNVR: your database, settings, recordings (in the rec folder), logs and license key file. Upgrades and uninstalls keep this folder.

Your license key

License keys come from J&J Technical Services. A new install starts in evaluation mode (30 days, up to 8 cameras, exports watermarked) until you enter your key.

1. Sign in as an admin. On an install without a key, Sentinel opens the License page first. You can also open it from the License tab (admins only).
2. Enter the key. Under Install a license key, paste the key J&J Technical Services sent you and choose Install key, or choose the key file and click Upload file.
3. Check the status. The badge next to License should say Active. The page also shows who it's licensed to, your camera count and your industry packs. If it says Needs activation, follow the steps on the page or call support.

Sentinel stores the key in C:\ProgramData\JJSentinelNVR\license.key. Don't edit or move that file. Keep the email or file from J&J Technical Services somewhere safe in case you ever need to reinstall. Upgrades and automatic updates keep your key exactly as it is.

DEMO edition: the DEMO needs a DEMO key from J&J Technical Services. Without one it shows the activation screen. A DEMO key doesn't work in the full edition, and a full key doesn't work in the DEMO.

First sign-in

1. Open the console. On the Sentinel PC, use the desktop shortcut or go to http://localhost:8000/. From another PC on the same network, go to http://<Sentinel PC address>:8000/.
2. Sign in with the administrator account J&J Technical Services or your installer set up for you. This guide doesn't publish any sign-in details. If you don't have them, call support.
3. Choose a new password. Sentinel asks you to set your own password the first time you sign in. On new installs it must be at least 12 characters, use letters and numbers, and not match your username or a common password.
4. Enter your license key if the License page opens (see above), then follow the Quick start.

Upgrading and uninstalling

• Upgrading: most updates arrive automatically (see Updates). If J&J Technical Services sends you a newer installer, run it over the top. It upgrades in place and keeps your data and key.
• Uninstalling: use Start > J&J Sentinel NVR > Uninstall. It removes the services, firewall rules and program files. Recordings and the database in C:\ProgramData\JJSentinelNVR are kept. Delete that folder yourself only if you're sure you don't need the footage.