Product Overview
For enterprise security teams building large-scale camera networks, the AXIS S1296 Recording Server delivers a fully configured, rack-ready surveillance platform in a 2U chassis. Carrying 96 TB of raw storage across 12 hot-swappable Enterprise Class HDDs, it ships pre-configured in RAID 6 for 80 TB of usable, fault-tolerant capacity, with RAID levels 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10 all supported for flexible system design. Equipped with an Intel Xeon Silver processor, 32 GB of memory, and dual 800 W hot-plug redundant power supplies, it is built for continuous high-density recording. The server includes 96 AXIS Camera Station Pro licences and 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licences out of the box, supporting up to 150 video channels at 4 MP and 30 fps in a qualified retail scenario. Encrypted storage via a FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Trusted Platform Module, remote management through iDRAC 9 Express, and built-in OS recovery make it suited to demanding enterprise and government deployments. AXIS Site Designer configuration import streamlines commissioning across multi-site projects.
Key Capabilities
96 TB Raw Storage, RAID 6 Factory Default
Twelve hot-swappable Enterprise Class 8 TB HDDs deliver 96 TB raw capacity, with 80 TB usable after RAID 6 configuration. This protects against simultaneous dual-drive failure without halting recording, making it appropriate for environments where downtime is not acceptable.
150-Channel Qualified Recording at 4 MP
The server is qualified to handle 150 simultaneous video channels at 4 MP and 30 fps in a validated retail scenario. This performance-tested specification gives system designers a confirmed baseline for large camera deployments rather than relying on theoretical maximums.
96 AXIS Camera Station Pro Licences Included
Every unit ships with 96 Camera Station Pro licences and 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licences. For large deployments, this removes a significant separate software procurement cost and ensures the server is ready to manage cameras and audio devices immediately on installation.
FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Encrypted Storage
The onboard Trusted Platform Module encrypts recorded video on the hard drives to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 standard. This satisfies compliance requirements in government, finance, and critical infrastructure projects where data-at-rest encryption is mandated by policy or regulation.
Dual Redundant Hot-Plug Power Supplies
Two 800 W hot-plug power supplies ensure the server continues operating if one PSU fails. The failed unit can be swapped without powering down, which is essential for 24/7 surveillance operations in locations such as transport hubs, hospitals, or multi-site commercial estates.
NDAA and TAA Compliant
The S1296 carries confirmed NDAA and TAA compliance, making it eligible for use in US federal and Australian government projects subject to supply chain restrictions. Combined with RCM certification and regional part number coverage, it meets procurement requirements across multiple regulated markets.
Best For
- Large Commercial Campuses: Facilities managing 50 to 150 cameras across retail precincts, logistics centres, or corporate campuses benefit from the confirmed 150-channel performance and the included Camera Station Pro licences that cover the majority of a full deployment.
- Government and Regulated Environments: FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encrypted storage, NDAA compliance, and TAA compliance satisfy the procurement and data security requirements of local government, law enforcement support, and critical infrastructure operators.
- Mission-Critical Recording Infrastructure: Hot-swap RAID 6 drives, dual redundant power supplies, and iDRAC 9 Express remote management make this appropriate for server room deployments where unplanned downtime during a recording failure would have operational or legal consequences.
- Integrators Commissioning Multi-Site Projects: AXIS Site Designer configuration import and the included Camera Station Pro licences reduce on-site setup time, making the S1296 a practical platform for integrators rolling out standardised recording infrastructure across multiple locations.
Why Choose the AXIS S1296
The AXIS S1296 Recording Server is not a rebranded general-purpose server. It is a purpose-built, Axis-validated surveillance platform that ships with the software licences, RAID configuration, encrypted storage, and redundant hardware that an equivalent custom build would require extensive additional procurement and configuration to replicate. The 96 included Camera Station Pro licences alone represent substantial value in a large-site deployment, and the confirmed 150-channel at 4 MP performance specification removes the guesswork from system sizing. The Intel Xeon Silver processor and 32 GB of memory provide the headroom for demanding recording loads, while the dual hot-plug PSUs and hot-swappable drives protect against hardware failures that would otherwise cause recording gaps. The 5-year warranty with Next Business Day Onsite Support and the optional Keep Your Hard Drive service add further assurance for critical installations. Available through Security Wholesalers, the AXIS S1296 is backed by manufacturer compliance certifications covering the Australian market.
Buyer Decision Tips
Storage and RAID Planning: The S1296 ships in RAID 6 with 80 TB usable from 96 TB raw. If your project requires a different RAID level – such as RAID 5 for greater usable capacity or RAID 10 for maximum read performance – the server supports reconfiguration, but this will change your usable capacity and redundancy profile. Calculate your retention requirements against camera count, resolution, frame rate, and compression settings before finalising the RAID configuration, as RAID 6 is the safest default but not always the most storage-efficient choice for every project.
Licence Count vs Camera Count: The S1296 includes 96 Camera Station Pro licences, but the server is qualified for up to 150 channels. If your deployment exceeds 96 cameras, additional Camera Station Pro licences will need to be purchased separately to cover the full channel count. Plan your licence requirements at the design stage to avoid gaps between hardware capability and software coverage once the system goes live.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Part Number |
02542-001 |
| Form Factor |
2U rack-mount recording server |
| Processor |
Intel Xeon Silver |
| Memory |
2 x 16 GB (32 GB total) |
| Raw Storage Capacity |
96 TB (12 x 8 TB Enterprise Class HDDs, hot-swappable) |
| Usable Storage (RAID 6) |
80 TB |
| Supported RAID Levels |
0, 1, 5, 6, 10 (factory default: RAID 6) |
| Qualified Video Channels |
150 channels at 4 MP, 30 fps (retail scenario) |
| Included Licences |
96 x AXIS Camera Station Pro, 10 x AXIS Audio Manager Pro |
| Operating System |
Microsoft Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 |
| OS Drive |
240 GB SSD with built-in OS recovery |
| Ethernet Ports |
4 x RJ-45 (1 GbE / 10 GbE) |
| USB Ports |
2 x USB 2.0, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A |
| Video Outputs |
2 x VGA |
| Power Supply |
2 x 800 W hot-plug redundant PSU (100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz) |
| Security / Encryption |
Trusted Platform Module (TPM), FIPS 140-2 Level 2; encrypted HDD storage |
| Remote Management |
iDRAC 9 Express licence included |
| Operating Temperature |
10-35 degrees C; Storage: -40 to 65 degrees C |
| Operating Humidity |
20-80% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
| Weight |
26.1 kg |
| Compliance |
NDAA compliant, TAA compliant, RCM AS/NZS CISPR 32 Class A, EN 55032 Class A, FCC Part 15 Class A |
| Warranty |
5-year warranty; Next Business Day Onsite Support; Keep Your Hard Drive option |
Ideal Use Cases
Large Retail Precincts
The S1296 is qualified at 150 channels at 4 MP in a retail scenario, making it a directly validated platform for shopping centres and large-format retail environments running high-density Axis camera networks across multiple zones.
Transport and Logistics Hubs
Airports, distribution centres, and freight terminals require continuous 24/7 recording with no tolerance for downtime. Dual hot-plug redundant PSUs and hot-swappable RAID 6 drives allow maintenance without interrupting live recording operations.
Government and Regulated Facilities
FIPS 140-2 Level 2 encrypted storage, NDAA compliance, and TAA compliance satisfy the procurement, data security, and supply chain requirements of local councils, law enforcement support facilities, and critical infrastructure operators across Australia and other regulated markets.
Healthcare and Campus Environments
Hospitals, universities, and healthcare campuses with large Axis camera deployments can consolidate recording onto a single validated server, with iDRAC 9 Express remote management enabling IT teams to monitor and troubleshoot the server without requiring physical access to the rack.
Multi-Site Integrator Rollouts
AXIS Site Designer configuration import and the out-of-the-box Camera Station Pro licence bundle reduce per-site commissioning time. Integrators standardising on the Axis ecosystem across multiple client sites benefit from a consistent, pre-validated hardware and software stack at each location.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your project requires a rack-mount recording server validated for up to 150 Axis cameras at 4 MP, includes a need for encrypted storage to FIPS 140-2 Level 2, demands NDAA or TAA compliance, and requires enterprise-grade hardware redundancy including dual hot-plug PSUs and hot-swappable RAID drives for 24/7 continuous operation.
- Choose a different model if: Your deployment is smaller – for example, under 32 cameras – as a larger rack server of this specification and cost will exceed what a smaller-footprint recording server or desktop NVR can deliver at a more appropriate price point. Similarly, if your site has no server room or rack infrastructure, a tower-form recording server may be more practical.
- Consider storage expansion planning if: Your retention requirements exceed 80 TB usable at the target channel count and resolution. While RAID level can be changed to increase usable capacity, this involves trade-offs in redundancy. Plan storage sizing at the design stage using your confirmed camera count, resolution, frame rate, and retention period before specifying the S1296.
FAQs
- How many cameras can the AXIS S1296 record simultaneously?
The S1296 is qualified to record 150 video channels at 4 MP and 30 fps in a validated retail scenario. This is a performance-tested specification, not a theoretical maximum. Real-world channel capacity will vary based on camera resolution, frame rate, compression settings, and motion levels, so Axis provides this qualified figure as a reliable baseline for system design.
- What is the usable storage capacity after RAID configuration?
The server ships pre-configured in RAID 6 using 12 x 8 TB Enterprise Class HDDs, giving 96 TB raw and approximately 80 TB of usable, protected storage. RAID 6 tolerates simultaneous failure of any 2 drives without data loss. If you reconfigure to RAID 5, RAID 10, or another supported level, usable capacity and redundancy characteristics will change accordingly.
- Does the S1296 include AXIS Camera Station licences, or do I need to purchase them separately?
The S1296 includes 96 AXIS Camera Station Pro licences and 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licences as part of the out-of-the-box package. If your deployment requires more than 96 camera licences – noting the server is qualified for up to 150 channels – additional Camera Station Pro licences will need to be purchased separately to cover the remaining channels.
- Is this server compliant with NDAA and Australian procurement requirements?
Yes. The S1296 is confirmed NDAA compliant and TAA compliant, and carries RCM certification to AS/NZS CISPR 32 Class A, which covers Australian and New Zealand electromagnetic compatibility requirements. Part number 02542-001 covers the AU region. These certifications make it suitable for government and regulated commercial procurement in Australia where supply chain compliance is a requirement.
- How is recorded video secured on the S1296?
The server uses a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2, which encrypts video data stored on the hard drives. This ensures that even if a drive is physically removed from the server, its contents cannot be read without the correct decryption keys. This level of encryption is typically required for government, healthcare, and financial sector deployments.
- Can the S1296 be managed remotely without physical access to the rack?
Yes. The server includes an iDRAC 9 Express licence, which is Dell’s integrated remote management interface. This allows IT administrators to monitor server health, receive hardware alerts, and perform management tasks over the network without needing to be physically present at the rack. This is particularly useful for monitoring in unmanned server rooms or across multi-site deployments. The S1296 is available through Security Wholesalers for Australian projects requiring local procurement support.
- What happens if a power supply or hard drive fails during recording?
The S1296 is built with two 800 W hot-plug redundant power supplies, so if one PSU fails, the other takes over instantly with no recording interruption. The failed unit can then be replaced without powering down the server. The 12 HDDs are also hot-swappable, and the factory RAID 6 configuration tolerates the failure of any 2 drives simultaneously, allowing failed drives to be replaced and the array rebuilt without halting operations.
Additional Information
AXIS 02542-001 Datasheet
