Product Overview
Enterprise surveillance deployments that demand uncompromising storage capacity and software integration are the natural home for the AXIS S1296 Rack Recording Server. Built as a 2U rack-mounted NVR, this server is qualified to handle 150 video channels at 4MP and 30fps simultaneously, making it suited to large commercial sites, government facilities, transport hubs, and multi-building campuses where high channel counts are non-negotiable. Featuring 192TB of raw storage across 12 hot-swappable Enterprise Class hard drives configured in factory RAID 6, the S1296 delivers 160TB of usable capacity with built-in resilience against dual drive failure. It ships with 96 AXIS Camera Station core licences tied directly to the hardware, reducing upfront software procurement complexity. Equipped with an Intel Xeon Silver processor, 32GB of RAM, 10Gbps network connectivity, and dual hot-plug redundant 800W power supplies, this server is engineered for continuous, high-load recording environments where downtime carries a real operational cost.
Key Capabilities
192TB Raw Storage with RAID 6 Protection
Twelve hot-swappable 16TB Enterprise Class HDDs provide 192TB of raw capacity, yielding 160TB of usable storage after RAID 6 configuration. RAID 6 tolerates simultaneous failure of any 2 drives, protecting recorded footage in high-load environments without losing access to the system.
96 Included AXIS Camera Station Licences
The S1296 ships with 96 AXIS Camera Station core licences pre-tied to the hardware, covering the majority of channel counts for large commercial deployments straight out of the box. Additional licences can be purchased separately for sites exceeding 96 channels up to the 150-channel ceiling.
150-Channel Recording at 4MP 30fps
Qualified to record 150 simultaneous video channels at 4MP and 30fps with an aggregate recording bitrate of up to 1.5 Gbit/s. This level of throughput supports high-density camera installations across large sites without requiring multiple independent recording servers.
10Gbps Network Connectivity
Two 10Gbps RJ-45 ports alongside 2 dedicated 1Gbps ports and an iDRAC management interface allow the server to handle high-bandwidth camera streams while keeping management traffic separated. This network architecture suits enterprise IT environments with existing switching infrastructure.
FIPS 140-2 Compliant Data Encryption
A FIPS 140-2 compliant Trusted Platform Module (TPM) encrypts data at rest, meeting compliance requirements relevant to government, healthcare, and critical infrastructure projects. This hardware-level encryption cannot be bypassed at the software layer, ensuring footage integrity even if physical media is removed.
Dual Hot-Plug Redundant Power Supplies
Two independent 800W power supplies can be replaced under power without shutting down the server. Combined with RAID 6 storage redundancy, this dual-PSU configuration is designed for environments where continuous recording cannot be interrupted by a single hardware component failure.
Best For
- High-Channel Enterprise Sites: Qualified for 150 video channels at 4MP 30fps, the S1296 suits airports, hospitals, universities, and large commercial campuses that require a single consolidated recording platform rather than multiple smaller servers.
- Government and Regulated Environments: FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption, TAA compliance, and NDAA compliance make this server appropriate for projects with strict data sovereignty and procurement requirements.
- IT-Integrated Surveillance Infrastructure: The 2U rack form factor, 10Gbps networking, iDRAC remote management port, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise OS allow this server to be deployed and managed within standard enterprise IT rack environments by existing IT teams.
- Deployments Requiring Long Retention Periods: With 160TB of usable storage after RAID 6, sites recording large numbers of cameras at high resolution can achieve extended footage retention without supplementary storage expansion in the initial deployment phase.
Why Choose the AXIS S1296 Rack Recording Server
The AXIS S1296 192TB distinguishes itself from smaller NVR appliances through its combination of raw storage scale, built-in RAID 6 redundancy, and 96 pre-bundled AXIS Camera Station licences in a single rack unit. Where a standard NVR might handle 16 to 64 channels with consumer-grade drives and no hardware redundancy, the S1296 is engineered around an Intel Xeon Silver processor, enterprise-class HDDs, dual hot-plug PSUs, and 10Gbps network throughput – the kind of infrastructure specification that sustains 150 cameras at 4MP across a live production environment. The FIPS 140-2 compliant TPM adds a layer of data-at-rest encryption that most sub-enterprise recording appliances do not offer. The S1296 is available through Security Wholesalers for integrators and project teams requiring a high-capacity, licence-ready recording server backed by a 5-year manufacturer warranty.
Buyer Decision Tips
Licence Count vs Channel Count: The S1296 supports recording up to 150 channels but ships with only 96 AXIS Camera Station core licences. If your deployment requires between 97 and 150 licensed channels, budget for additional licences before project completion. Each camera connected to AXIS Camera Station requires its own licence, so finalise your camera count before procurement to avoid licence shortfalls during commissioning.
Rack and Environment Requirements: At 26.3kg and 2U in height, the S1296 requires a suitable server rack and stable environment. The confirmed operating temperature range is 10°C to 35°C, which means unventilated equipment rooms or outdoor enclosures without climate control are not suitable. Confirm rack space availability, weight capacity, and airflow before specifying this unit on a project.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Product Type |
Rack Recording Server (NVR), 2U |
| Video Channels |
150 channels at 4MP, 30fps |
| Recording Bitrate |
Up to 1.5 Gbit/s |
| Included Licences |
96 AXIS Camera Station core licences (hardware-tied) |
| Processor |
Intel Xeon Silver |
| Memory |
2 x 16 GB (32 GB total) |
| Total Raw Storage |
192 TB (12 x 16 TB Enterprise Class HDDs) |
| Usable Storage (RAID 6) |
160 TB |
| RAID Levels Supported |
0, 1, 5, 6, 10 (factory default: RAID 6) |
| Drive Bays |
12 hot-swappable SATA bays |
| Network Interfaces |
2 x RJ-45 10Gbps, 2 x RJ-45 1000Mbps, 1 x iDRAC dedicated Ethernet, 1 x iDRAC direct port |
| Video Output |
2 x VGA |
| Power Supply |
2 x 800W hot-plug redundant PSU (100-240V AC, 50/60Hz) |
| Operating System |
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise |
| Security / Encryption |
FIPS 140-2 compliant TPM (data at rest encryption) |
| Operating Temperature |
10°C to 35°C (50°F to 95°F) |
| Operating Humidity |
20% to 80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) |
721.62 x 482 x 87 mm |
| Weight |
26.3 kg |
| Compliance |
TAA, NDAA, UL Listed, RCM (AS/NZS CISPR 32 Class A), FCC Part 15 Class A, EN 55032 Class A |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Ideal Use Cases
Airport and Transport Terminals
High camera counts, continuous 24/7 recording requirements, and strict data retention obligations align with the S1296’s 150-channel capacity, 160TB usable storage, and RAID 6 redundancy, which protects footage against dual drive failure without interrupting recording.
Government and Defence Facilities
FIPS 140-2 compliant TPM encryption, TAA compliance, and NDAA compliance make the S1296 eligible for government and defence procurement processes where data sovereignty and hardware sourcing restrictions apply.
University and Campus Surveillance
Large university campuses with distributed buildings and high camera counts benefit from the S1296’s 150-channel recording ceiling and 96 pre-included licences, reducing the per-channel software cost compared to procuring licences separately on a smaller NVR platform.
Hospital and Healthcare Campuses
Healthcare environments combine high camera density with strict data integrity requirements. The S1296’s dual redundant power supplies and RAID 6 storage configuration reduce single points of failure, supporting continuous footage availability across clinical and administrative areas.
IT-Managed Enterprise Security Operations
The 2U rack form factor, 10Gbps network interfaces, iDRAC dedicated management port, and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise OS allow the S1296 to be integrated into existing enterprise IT rack infrastructure, managed remotely, and monitored alongside other server-class equipment by existing IT operations teams.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your deployment requires 97 to 150 video channels, needs 160TB or more of usable RAID-protected storage, operates within a standard IT server rack environment, and requires FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption and TAA/NDAA-compliant hardware for government or regulated procurement.
- Choose a different model if: Your site has fewer than 32 cameras, as this server’s enterprise-grade processor, storage capacity, and rack form factor represent significant overhead for small deployments. A compact NVR appliance with a lower channel count and desktop or wall-mount form factor would be more cost-proportionate for small-to-medium installations.
- Choose a different model if: Your equipment room cannot maintain a temperature within the 10°C to 35°C operating range, or if you do not have rack infrastructure capable of supporting a 26.3kg 2U unit. This server requires a controlled, ventilated server room environment to operate within specification.
FAQs
- How many cameras can the AXIS S1296 record simultaneously?
The S1296 is qualified to record 150 video channels simultaneously at 4MP and 30fps, with a total recording bitrate of up to 1.5 Gbit/s. This channel count covers large enterprise deployments in a single server. Note that the 150-channel recording ceiling is a qualified performance limit based on Axis’s own testing in a retail scenario configuration.
- Does the S1296 include AXIS Camera Station licences, and how many?
Yes. The AXIS S1296 192TB ships with 96 AXIS Camera Station core licences pre-bundled and tied directly to the hardware serial number. These are not transferable to a different server. If your deployment requires more than 96 licensed channels, additional licences must be purchased separately before commissioning is complete. The server can record up to 150 channels, but each channel beyond 96 requires its own additional licence.
- What is the usable storage capacity after RAID configuration?
The S1296 ships with 12 x 16TB Enterprise Class HDDs in a factory RAID 6 configuration, providing 160TB of usable storage. RAID 6 uses the capacity of 2 drives for parity, allowing the array to survive simultaneous failure of any 2 drives without data loss. The server also supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10 if a different configuration is required, though RAID 6 is the factory default and recommended setting for recording deployments.
- Can the hard drives be replaced without shutting down the server?
Yes. All 12 storage drives are hot-swappable, meaning a failed drive can be physically removed and replaced while the server remains powered on and recording. Combined with RAID 6 parity, a faulty drive can be swapped and the array rebuilt without any interruption to live recording operations, which is a critical capability for sites that cannot tolerate recording downtime.
- What happens if a power supply fails?
The S1296 includes 2 independent 800W hot-plug redundant power supplies. If one PSU fails, the second automatically continues powering the server without interruption. The failed unit can be physically swapped under power without shutting the server down, eliminating a single power failure as a cause of recording outage.
- Is the AXIS S1296 compliant for Australian government projects?
The S1296 carries RCM certification (AS/NZS CISPR 32 Class A) confirming it meets Australian electromagnetic compatibility requirements. It is also TAA and NDAA compliant, which are US federal procurement requirements often referenced in Australian government and defence tenders as supply chain assurance benchmarks. The FIPS 140-2 compliant TPM provides hardware-level data-at-rest encryption relevant to classified or sensitive data storage requirements. For project-specific compliance confirmation, check with your security certifying authority. The S1296 is part of the Security Wholesalers range and can be discussed with their team for project procurement.
- What are the rack and environmental requirements for installing the S1296?
The S1296 is a 2U rack-mounted unit measuring 721.62 x 482 x 87mm and weighing 26.3kg. It requires a standard 19-inch equipment rack capable of supporting that weight load at the relevant rack unit position. The operating temperature must be maintained between 10°C and 35°C, with humidity between 20% and 80% RH non-condensing. An unventilated storeroom or outdoor enclosure without active climate control would not meet these environmental requirements.
Additional Information
AXIS 02543-001 Datasheet
