Axis Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II Recording Server 8TB 32 Channel Intel Core Ultra 5 16GB Windows 11 IoT

Product Overview

Pre-validated and purpose-built for medium-to-large Axis camera deployments, the AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II is a tower-form recording server designed to remove the guesswork from system sizing and software integration. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with 16 GB of RAM, it arrives with 8 TB of enterprise-class HDD storage, a 256 GB SSD operating drive, and Microsoft Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 pre-installed. The server supports up to 32 video channels at a validated recording bitrate of 256 Mbit/s, making it suited to multi-camera commercial and institutional environments. Included in the package are 16 AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses and 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licenses, so the system is operational without additional software purchases. A Trusted Platform Module certified to FIPS 140-2 Level 2 provides hardware-level protection for cryptographic keys and certificates. The tower form factor suits comms rooms and server areas where rack space is not available, and the five-year warranty with Next Business Day Onsite Support reduces operational risk for critical installations.

Key Capabilities

Best For

• Medium-to-Large Commercial Deployments: The 32-channel validated capacity and 256 Mbit/s bitrate support make this server suited to sites running 16 to 32 Axis cameras across multiple areas or floors.
• Comms Rooms Without Rack Infrastructure: The tower form factor allows placement on a shelf or floor in a server room or comms cupboard where rack-mount units are not practical or cost-effective.
• Projects Requiring Integrated Audio Management: The inclusion of 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licenses makes this server well suited to sites that need centralised control of IP speakers and audio zones alongside video recording.
• Security-Critical Installations Needing FIPS-Compliant Storage: The FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified TPM satisfies cybersecurity requirements for government, education, healthcare, and corporate environments where cryptographic key protection is mandated.

Why Choose the AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II

The AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II stands apart from generic server builds because every component has been validated by Axis Communications against the AXIS Camera Station Pro software stack. This means installers can commission a 32-channel site with confidence in sustained performance at up to 256 Mbit/s without running their own benchmarks. The bundled 16 AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses and 10 AXIS Audio Manager Pro licenses represent genuine cost savings over sourcing hardware and software separately. The FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified TPM adds a layer of cybersecurity assurance that off-the-shelf servers do not provide. The five-year warranty with Next Business Day Onsite Support and Keep Your Hard Drive service is a meaningful commitment for mission-critical sites. Available through Security Wholesalers, the S1216 Tower Mk II is a straightforward choice for integrators who need a validated, fully licensed recording platform without the overhead of manual assembly or software negotiation.

Buyer Decision Tips

Key Features & Technical Specifications

Model	AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II Recording Server
Part Number	03428-006
Processor	Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 235
Memory	16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Operating System	Microsoft Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024
OS Drive	256 GB SSD
Included Storage	8 TB (1 x 8 TB Enterprise Class SATA HDD, 7200 rpm)
Total HDD Slots	2 (1 occupied, 1 free)
HDD Type	Cold-swappable Enterprise Class SATA
RAID Support	RAID 0, RAID 1 (not configured by default)
Validated Video Channels	Up to 32
Validated Recording Bitrate	Up to 256 Mbit/s
Included Licenses	16 x AXIS Camera Station Pro, 10 x AXIS Audio Manager Pro
Security Module	Trusted Platform Module, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified
Power Supply	500 W, 80+ Platinum (100-240 V AC, 7.0 A, 50/60 Hz)
Typical / Max Power Consumption	80 W typical / 110 W maximum
Rear Connectors	1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 USB-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2×1, 3 x DisplayPort
Dimensions (H x W x D)	367 x 169 x 301 mm
Operating Temperature	0°C to 45°C
Operating Humidity	20-80% RH (non-condensing)
Warranty	5 years with Next Business Day Onsite Support and Keep Your Hard Drive service

Ideal Use Cases

Choosing the Right Model

• Choose this model if: Your Axis deployment requires up to 32 channels, you need AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses included, and your site benefits from a tower server that fits in a comms room or server cabinet without rack rails.
• Choose this model if: Your installation has cybersecurity requirements that mandate FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified hardware-level key protection, or your organisation requires five-year NBD onsite warranty coverage for critical infrastructure.
• Choose a different model if: Your deployment exceeds 32 channels, as this server is validated to that limit and a higher-channel recording server or a multi-server architecture would be more appropriate.
• Choose a different model if: Your server room uses standard 19-inch rack infrastructure and a rack-mount form factor would better suit the physical installation environment than a tower unit.

FAQs

1. What does “validated” mean for the 32-channel capacity and 256 Mbit/s bitrate?
   Axis Communications tests the S1216 Tower Mk II specifically against AXIS Camera Station Pro software to confirm that the server hardware sustains 32 simultaneous recording channels at up to 256 Mbit/s without performance degradation. This validated figure gives installers a confirmed ceiling for system design, rather than an estimated or theoretical maximum based on generic processor benchmarks.
2. Do the 16 AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses cover all 32 channels?
   The 16 included AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses cover 16 channels. If your deployment uses up to 16 Axis cameras, no additional software purchase is required. For deployments between 17 and 32 channels, additional AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses will need to be purchased separately to cover the additional channels.
3. What is the FIPS 140-2 Level 2 TPM and why does it matter for a recording server?
   The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a dedicated hardware chip that securely stores cryptographic keys and certificates. FIPS 140-2 Level 2 is a US federal cryptographic security standard that requires physical tamper evidence on the module. For a recording server, this means that even if someone physically removes a hard drive, they cannot access encrypted video data without the keys stored in the TPM.
4. Can the storage be expanded beyond 8 TB?
   Yes. The server has 2 HDD slots and ships with 1 x 8 TB drive installed, leaving 1 free cold-swappable slot. A second enterprise-class SATA HDD can be added to increase total raw storage. If RAID 1 is configured for drive redundancy, the usable capacity will remain at 8 TB. If RAID 0 or a spanning configuration is used, total usable capacity increases. RAID is not pre-configured from the factory.
5. Does the S1216 Tower Mk II include PoE ports to power cameras directly?
   No. This is a recording server, not a PoE switch. It records video from Axis IP cameras over the network but does not supply PoE power to those cameras. A separate PoE network switch is required to power cameras at the installation site.
6. What does the five-year warranty include, and what is Keep Your Hard Drive?
   The warranty covers the server for five years with Next Business Day Onsite Support, meaning a technician will attend the site the next business day in the event of a hardware failure. The Keep Your Hard Drive service means that if a drive is replaced under warranty, you retain the original faulty drive rather than returning it to Axis. This is important for sites where recorded footage is considered sensitive evidence that must not leave the premises.
7. Where can I purchase the AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II in Australia?
   The AXIS Camera Station S1216 Tower Mk II (03428-006) is available through Security Wholesalers, an authorised Axis distributor supplying integrators and installers across Australia. Contact the Security Wholesalers team directly for pricing, availability, and project support.

Additional Information

AXIS 03428-006 Datasheet