FLIR USS-BSC-48R5-36 16-Channel RAID-5 Rackmount NVR Server
The FLIR USS-BSC-48R5-36 is a Basic-tier United Server Solution (USS) built to run FLIR's United VMS (UVMS) platform across up to 16 IP camera channels with hardware-level storage protection baked in. This is a rackmount server, not a desktop appliance — it's meant to live in a rack or cabinet alongside your network gear, running Windows Server underneath the FLIR USS software stack. With 48TB of raw drive capacity configured in RAID-5 down to 36TB usable, the USS-BSC-48R5-36 targets mid-sized deployments that need real redundancy without stepping up to a high-channel-count enterprise chassis.
Overview
USS-BSC-48R5-36 (often searched as USS BSC 48R5 36) is positioned as the entry point into FLIR's RAID-protected server line. Where a basic DVR/NVR box gives you a single drive and a single point of failure, this unit spreads 48TB of raw storage across a hot-swap SATA array in RAID-5, sacrificing capacity for parity protection — you land at 36TB usable, and the array survives a single drive failure without dropping recorded footage. For an integrator quoting a 16-camera site — a warehouse dock, a multi-tenant office floor, a mid-size retail location — this is the server tier that makes sense before you're paying for enterprise channel counts you won't use.
Key Features
- RAID-5 across 48TB raw / 36TB usable: parity striping means one drive can fail without taking your recorded evidence with it — critical when a court date or insurance claim depends on footage that was still writing when a drive died.
- Hot-swap SATA drive bays: replace a failed drive without powering down the server or dropping active recording sessions, which matters on a 16-camera system where downtime means blind spots across the whole site.
- 16 IP camera channel support: sized for mid-scale deployments — enough headroom for a full building or warehouse zone without paying for capacity you'll never fill.
- Redundant hot-swap power supply: a second PSU keeps the server running through a single power module failure, which on a 24/7 recording box is the difference between a maintenance ticket and a recording gap.
- Dual Gigabit Ethernet, redundant: two independent network paths mean a switch port or cable fault doesn't take the whole recorder offline — worth wiring into separate switches if you want the redundancy to actually mean something.
- FLIR United VMS (UVMS) platform: the server ships configured to run FLIR's own VMS software rather than a generic third-party package, which keeps camera onboarding and playback inside a single FLIR-native workflow.
- ONVIF, RTSP, and FLIR proprietary protocol support: ONVIF and RTSP give you a path to mix in non-FLIR ONVIF-compliant cameras where needed, while the proprietary protocol path preserves full feature access for FLIR-branded cameras.
- Windows Server operating system: a familiar OS base for IT teams who need to patch, manage, or integrate the server the same way they manage other Windows infrastructure on the network.
- NDAA-compliant: clears Section 889 procurement restrictions for government, federal-adjacent, and public-sector buyers who can't legally purchase banned-origin video surveillance equipment.
Integration & Compatibility
The USS-BSC-48R5-36 runs FLIR United VMS out of the box, with ONVIF and RTSP support opening the door to standards-compliant third-party cameras alongside a FLIR camera lineup. The dual redundant Gigabit Ethernet ports let you segment camera traffic from client/viewing traffic, or simply provide network failover — a detail worth planning into your switch and PoE budget before install, since this server doesn't power cameras itself. Pair it with a dedicated switch sized for your 16-channel camera load and you have a full recording backbone that fits into a standard 19-inch rack.
When this is the correct choice
Choose the USS-BSC-48R5-36 when you're deploying up to 16 IP cameras and need RAID-protected storage with a redundant power supply — a step up from single-drive NVRs but scoped below FLIR's higher-channel server tiers. It's a strong fit for NDAA-restricted procurement where Section 889 compliance is a hard requirement.
When to choose a different model
If your site needs more than 16 camera channels or more usable storage for longer retention windows, look at a higher-tier server in the same FLIR United Server Solution family — the Basic tier here is deliberately scoped for mid-size deployments, not enterprise campuses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the USS-BSC-48R5-36 NDAA compliant?
A: Yes, the USS-BSC-48R5-36 is NDAA-compliant, clearing Section 889 procurement restrictions for government and public-sector buyers.
Q: How many cameras can the USS-BSC-48R5-36 support?
A: The USS-BSC-48R5-36 supports up to 16 IP camera channels.
Q: What RAID level does the USS-BSC-48R5-36 use, and how much usable storage do I get?
A: It uses RAID-5 across 48TB of raw drive capacity, yielding 36TB of usable storage after parity overhead.
Q: What VMS software does the USS-BSC-48R5-36 run?
A: It runs FLIR United VMS (UVMS) on a Windows Server operating system.
Q: Does the USS-BSC-48R5-36 support ONVIF cameras from other brands?
A: Yes, it supports ONVIF and RTSP in addition to FLIR's proprietary protocol, allowing standards-compliant third-party cameras alongside FLIR cameras.
Q: Does the USS-BSC-48R5-36 have redundant power and networking?
A: Yes, it includes a redundant hot-swap power supply and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports for network redundancy.
The RAID-5 configuration on the USS-BSC-48R5-36 is what separates this from a bargain single-drive NVR — 48TB raw down to 36TB usable isn't wasted capacity, it's the parity overhead that lets the array survive a drive failure mid-recording. On a 16-channel system, that's the spec I check first.
Technical Highlights:
- RAID-5, 48TB raw / 36TB usable: parity striping tolerates a single drive failure without losing recorded footage — the ~25% capacity tradeoff is the cost of not having a blind gap in your evidence chain.
- 16 IP camera channels: sized correctly for mid-scale sites; you're not paying for headroom you won't use, but you also won't have room to grow past 16 without moving to a higher tier.
- Dual redundant Gigabit Ethernet: wire each port to a separate switch and a single network path failure won't take your recorder offline — don't just plug both into the same switch and call it redundant.
Deployment Considerations:
- Hot-swap SATA bays mean a failed drive gets replaced live, but budget for a matched replacement drive on hand — RAID-5 rebuild windows are when you're most exposed to a second failure.
- This server runs FLIR United VMS specifically — if your site is already standardized on a different VMS platform, that's a workflow change to plan for, not just a hardware swap.
Spec this for a 16-camera warehouse, distribution dock, or multi-tenant office deployment where NDAA compliance is a procurement requirement and you need RAID-protected storage without buying into a higher-channel enterprise chassis.
