News Feature | April 24, 2015

ONVIF Test Tool Allows Clients To Test For Conformance

Christine Kern

By Christine Kern, contributing writer

ONVIF Test Tool Allows Clients To Test For Conformance

ONVIF, the standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, has released its first Client Test Tool, which tests clients for conformance to ONVIF’s Profile S, G, and C specifications, according to a press release. The new test tool allows ONVIF to verify that a client has been tested with multiple devices and that the client meets conformance specifications.

ONVIF’s Client Test Tool’s specifications are now available to members on the ONVIF website within the developers’ forum, and allows hardware and software solutions including video management systems, building management systems, or physical security information management (PSIM) systems to be tested.

“ONVIF’s Client Test Tool was created to answer the physical security community’s call for increased interoperability and accountability,” Hugo Brisson, chair of ONVIF’s Client Testing Workgroup, explains in the press release. “With this initial release of the Client Test Tool, this brings ONVIF one step closer to a transparent and integrated process to achieve ONVIF conformance.”

Profiles S covers video streaming and configuration, Profile C covers door/access point control, and Profile G, introduced in 2014 covers recording searches. “With the finalization of Profile G, we have completed the circuit, providing the means whereby product manufacturers and software developers can present at a basic level an integrated video and access control system,” said Per Bjorkdahl, Chairman of ONVIF's Steering Committee in a 2014 release. “This is a true complement to our existing Profiles S and C, and takes standardized interoperability to new heights.”

ONVIF announced that the conditional specifications for each profile will be included in the Client Test Tool’s second release, which is anticipated in summer of 2015.The company also anticipates new service releases every six months to expand the test scope of the Client Test Tool and will address improvements in usability.