5. Files

Your Webcampak will probably have to store a (very) large number of pictures. It has been designed for this task and multiple features are available to manage and secure those files.

5.1. Redundancy

Always keep in mind that hardware failure or human error (i.e. delete pictures by mistake) can happen and it's always better to take precautions before such events happen.

Webcampak is able to send pictures to remote FTP server, you can also store pictures automatically to another source of the same Webcampak to prevent human errors (just take in consideration that it will require twice the amount of disk space).

Other mechanisms are available using third party products, we will study those with you based upon your requirements.

5.2. Automated deletion

Webcampak is equipped with automated deletion mechanisms to ensure its internal hard disk never runs out of space. Those mechanisms can be configured to fit various requirements.

When Webcampak store its pictures to a remote server, it can use its internal disk space as a buffer to ensure no pictures are lost in case of network issue. Depending of the capture frequency and picture size, this buffer size can cover multiple days, even months.

5.3. File structure

Webcampak is equipped with multiple directory structures.

5.3.1. Global FTP account

A global FTP account, shared with between sources will let you access:

  • /audio/ : directory for mp3 and/or m3u files, used to add an audio track to your videos.

  • /cache/ : directory with temporary files, all files in this directory can be deleted in case of issue.

  • /logs/ : directory hosting system's logs for all sources.

  • /watermark/ : directory for watermark files to be added to pictures and/or videos.

5.3.2. Per-source FTP account

Each source has its own FTP account, with the following directory structure:

  • /live/ : directory hosting hotlink pictures and videos.

  • /pictures/ : directory hosting pictures.

  • /pictures/20120423/ : pictures of the 23rd April 2012.

  • /pictures/process-video/ : temporary directory, deleted automatically when a new video is created.

  • /pictures/process-videocustom/: temporary directory, deleted automatically when a new custom video is created.

  • /pictures/process-videopost/ : temporary directory, deleted automatically when a new post-prod. video process is initiated.

  • /tmp/ : pictures coming from IP cameras or other Webcampak must be uploaded to this directory to be processed by Webcampak.

  • /videos/ : directory hosting videos.

  • /resources/: directory hosting source-specific resources

  • /resources/audio/: source-specific audio files to be inserted into videos.

  • /resources/watermark/: source-specific watermark files to be insterted into pictures or videos

  • /resources/stats/: source-specific statistics files