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Getting started

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Getting started

Before you log into FortiCamera Cloud, physically connect FortiCamera cameras and then register them in FortiCare.

Hybrid versus cloud native deployment

If you have a new deployment, you might only use cloud native cameras (for example, FortiCamera MC51-C and FortiCamera CD55-C) with FortiCamera Cloud.

Hybrid deployment, however, is also supported. In this deployment pattern, you can have a mix of cameras: some are cloud native, and others are not. Cameras that are not cloud native are connected indirectly, via a FortiRecorder. On FortiRecorder, you enable Managed in cloud mode for each camera that you want to connect to FortiCamera Cloud. Then you can view video from all cameras—both cloud native and others—together in FortiCamera Cloud. Only local network settings, local storage, and local settings are configured on FortiRecorder for the cameras that are not cloud native.

Advantages of hybrid deployment include:

  • Simple migration from private network to cloud-based deployment
  • Extended storage and retention capabilities beyond what cloud native FortiCamera models currently support

To use local network cameras with FortiCamera Cloud, upload a license to the FortiRecorder and then enable Managed in cloud mode. For details, see the FortiRecorder Administration Guide.

For example, the following SKU is a stackable license for on-site camera models, used in a hybrid deployment with FortiRecorder. To use it, log in to:

https://support.fortinet.com/

as the owner, and apply it to the FortiRecorder serial number.

SKU

Contents

FRC-CLM-20

FortiRecorder Cloud Mode for camera license

Perpetual license for 20 cameras

Electronic license certificate

Registering FortiCamera devices in FortiCare

After an initial 7-day grace period, all cameras require a subscription license to use the FortiCamera Cloud service.

For example, the account owner can order a license for any number of cameras ("seats"), with a subscription for 1, 3, or 5 years, like the following:

SKU

Contents

FC1-10-FCCLD-518-02-DD

FortiCamera Cloud plus FortiCare Premium support

Subscription license certificate

Note

Licenses can be used across multiple organizations if they belong to the same owner.

  1. Physically connect your FortiCamera devices. For details, see the Quick Start Guide for your model.

  2. Go to:

    https://support.fortinet.com

    and log in as the owner.

    Note

    For simplicity, this document has instructions performed by the default Owner account. Owners have full privileges for the assets (cameras and licenses) registered to that organization. Each organization can have assets from one FortiCare account, and has one owner.

    Some parts of FortiCamera Cloud are only available to the owner, or users to whom the owner has granted permissions.

  3. Register your devices. For details, see FortiCloud Asset Management documentation.

  4. Register the subscription license in the same account.

    • To renew an existing subscription: Register a new contract with the same number of cameras.
    • To add more camera subscriptions: Contact your Fortinet partner or Fortinet customer service. Request a co-term quote. Co-term licensing aligns all of your subscription expiry dates.
  5. If this is the first time that you are logging into FortiCamera Cloud, continue with First time login to FortiCamera Cloud. Otherwise continue with Claiming cameras.

First time login to FortiCamera Cloud

  1. Go to:

    https://forticamera.forticloud.com/

    Alternatively, go to support.forticloud.com. After you log in, in the Services dropdown list at the top, select FortiCamera Cloud.

  2. Click Login and enter your user name and password.

    The First Time Login page appears.

  3. Enter a name for your first organization, select the organization's Region, and click Add Organization.

    Note

    Select the region carefully. The region cannot be changed after the organization has been created.It determines the location of the datacenter that hosts cloud services for the organization.

  4. Enter a name for your organization's first deployment site, and select its Timezone.

  5. If you registered cameras in FortiCare, click Add Cameras. Otherwise click Close. (You can register and claim cameras later.)

  6. Select the cameras that you want to claim for your organization.

    For details, see Claiming cameras.

Getting started

Before you log into FortiCamera Cloud, physically connect FortiCamera cameras and then register them in FortiCare.

Hybrid versus cloud native deployment

If you have a new deployment, you might only use cloud native cameras (for example, FortiCamera MC51-C and FortiCamera CD55-C) with FortiCamera Cloud.

Hybrid deployment, however, is also supported. In this deployment pattern, you can have a mix of cameras: some are cloud native, and others are not. Cameras that are not cloud native are connected indirectly, via a FortiRecorder. On FortiRecorder, you enable Managed in cloud mode for each camera that you want to connect to FortiCamera Cloud. Then you can view video from all cameras—both cloud native and others—together in FortiCamera Cloud. Only local network settings, local storage, and local settings are configured on FortiRecorder for the cameras that are not cloud native.

Advantages of hybrid deployment include:

  • Simple migration from private network to cloud-based deployment
  • Extended storage and retention capabilities beyond what cloud native FortiCamera models currently support

To use local network cameras with FortiCamera Cloud, upload a license to the FortiRecorder and then enable Managed in cloud mode. For details, see the FortiRecorder Administration Guide.

For example, the following SKU is a stackable license for on-site camera models, used in a hybrid deployment with FortiRecorder. To use it, log in to:

https://support.fortinet.com/

as the owner, and apply it to the FortiRecorder serial number.

SKU

Contents

FRC-CLM-20

FortiRecorder Cloud Mode for camera license

Perpetual license for 20 cameras

Electronic license certificate

Registering FortiCamera devices in FortiCare

After an initial 7-day grace period, all cameras require a subscription license to use the FortiCamera Cloud service.

For example, the account owner can order a license for any number of cameras ("seats"), with a subscription for 1, 3, or 5 years, like the following:

SKU

Contents

FC1-10-FCCLD-518-02-DD

FortiCamera Cloud plus FortiCare Premium support

Subscription license certificate

Note

Licenses can be used across multiple organizations if they belong to the same owner.

  1. Physically connect your FortiCamera devices. For details, see the Quick Start Guide for your model.

  2. Go to:

    https://support.fortinet.com

    and log in as the owner.

    Note

    For simplicity, this document has instructions performed by the default Owner account. Owners have full privileges for the assets (cameras and licenses) registered to that organization. Each organization can have assets from one FortiCare account, and has one owner.

    Some parts of FortiCamera Cloud are only available to the owner, or users to whom the owner has granted permissions.

  3. Register your devices. For details, see FortiCloud Asset Management documentation.

  4. Register the subscription license in the same account.

    • To renew an existing subscription: Register a new contract with the same number of cameras.
    • To add more camera subscriptions: Contact your Fortinet partner or Fortinet customer service. Request a co-term quote. Co-term licensing aligns all of your subscription expiry dates.
  5. If this is the first time that you are logging into FortiCamera Cloud, continue with First time login to FortiCamera Cloud. Otherwise continue with Claiming cameras.

First time login to FortiCamera Cloud

  1. Go to:

    https://forticamera.forticloud.com/

    Alternatively, go to support.forticloud.com. After you log in, in the Services dropdown list at the top, select FortiCamera Cloud.

  2. Click Login and enter your user name and password.

    The First Time Login page appears.

  3. Enter a name for your first organization, select the organization's Region, and click Add Organization.

    Note

    Select the region carefully. The region cannot be changed after the organization has been created.It determines the location of the datacenter that hosts cloud services for the organization.

  4. Enter a name for your organization's first deployment site, and select its Timezone.

  5. If you registered cameras in FortiCare, click Add Cameras. Otherwise click Close. (You can register and claim cameras later.)

  6. Select the cameras that you want to claim for your organization.

    For details, see Claiming cameras.