Axis 02539-001 S1264 24TB Rack Recording Server
The Axis S1264 is a purpose-built rack NVR designed for mid-to-large IP camera networks requiring 24/7 recording, hardware redundancy, and integrated software licensing. It arrives preloaded with AXIS Camera Station Pro and 64 device-core licenses, eliminating separate software procurement and compression deployment timelines. The system runs Windows OS on a dedicated SSD boot drive, pairs 24TB of enterprise-class storage (6×4TB HDDs, hot-swappable) with dual 800W redundant power supplies, and supports up to 96 video channels at 4MP 30fps or 192 networked access points in mixed deployments. This is the recorder for security teams that cannot tolerate single-point-of-failure risk on critical infrastructure.
Key Features
- 24TB Storage with RAID Flexibility: 6×4TB enterprise HDDs in 12 hot-swappable slots. RAID5 yields 20TB usable capacity with 1-drive fault tolerance; RAID6 available for higher redundancy at cost of usable space. Hot-swap design eliminates downtime during drive replacement.
- Redundant Power Supplies: Dual 800W PSUs with automatic failover — no NVR shutdown if one PSU fails. Mandatory for mission-critical facilities where recording loss triggers compliance violations or operational gaps.
- 64-Camera Licenses Included: AXIS Camera Station Pro preloaded with 64 device-core licenses bound to the hardware. Supports mixed Axis and ONVIF-compliant third-party IP cameras. No separate license keys to track; no staggered onboarding of software months after hardware delivery.
- Dedicated OS SSD: Windows OS runs on a separate SSD boot drive — isolated from video recording storage. Eliminates contention between system I/O and continuous streaming writes. Secure Boot and TPM enabled by default.
- AXIS Camera Station Pro Integration: Preinstalled and configured. Handles up to 96 video channels (4MP @ 30fps), two-way audio, 10 Audio Manager Pro licenses for call recording and intercom workflows, and automated failover to AXIS S30 Recorder for additional scalability.
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certification: Hardware security module (TPM), signed firmware, and Secure Boot satisfy federal procurement and healthcare compliance requirements. Reduces audit friction in regulated environments.
- Rack-Mount Form Factor: Standard 19-inch 4U rack footprint. Designed for climate-controlled server rooms or telecom closets; confirm your rack depth (typically 24-30 inches) before installation.
- ONVIF Profile S Compatibility: Works with any ONVIF-compliant IP camera — Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview, Bosch, etc. Not locked to Axis optics; expand your camera fleet without recorder swaps.
The S1264 handles continuous recording streams at 850 Mbit/s maximum throughput. On a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network, this is not a bandwidth constraint; on gigabit uplinks, prioritize your highest-bitrate channels (4MP 30fps cameras consume ~3–5 Mbit/s each, so 96 channels at that spec fit within the pipe). Most integrators pair this with a managed switch that supports VLAN segmentation — isolate camera traffic from office data to prevent surveillance from monopolizing office bandwidth during peak usage.
Storage math is straightforward: 24TB raw, 20TB usable with RAID5. Retention time depends on stream bitrate and frame rate. A 64-camera network at 2MP 15fps (typical for retail floor coverage) averages 1.5–2 Mbit/s per camera, totaling ~96–128 Mbit/s aggregate. That fills 20TB in roughly 18–22 days of uninterrupted recording. Add a second S1264 or populate the empty 6 drive bays (adds 24TB more) for longer retention. AXIS Site Designer and the datasheet include detailed capacity calculators — plug in your actual camera specs before signing off on retention SLAs with facility management.
The Windows OS and AXIS Camera Station Pro architecture simplify integration into existing enterprise IT ecosystems. The recorder supports ONVIF, RTSP, and AXIS-native APIs; it integrates with third-party VMS platforms (Genetec, Milestone, ExacqVision) via ONVIF Profile S. However, the included 64 licenses are native to AXIS Camera Station Pro — if you standardize on a different VMS, you lose the licensing advantage and must purchase separate recorder licenses from that vendor. Confirm your VMS roadmap before committing to this unit.
Cybersecurity posture is enterprise-grade: TPM 2.0, signed firmware, Secure Boot enforced, and FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certification. Windows Defender integrates natively; Axis provides regular security patches aligned with Microsoft release cycles. No external firewall is required if the recorder sits behind your facility's perimeter security, but many integrators bridge the S1264 to a secure VLAN with restricted network access — especially in healthcare and banking deployments where video data is considered protected information.
The 5-year hardware warranty covers all components, including the PSUs and HDDs. Enterprise-class 4TB drives (7200 RPM, low failure rate) are standard; replacement drives are stocked by Axis authorized distributors. Many operators add a service contract for next-business-day on-site replacement — critical for deployments where a failed drive means recording loss and compliance risk. The hot-swap design means you can replace a drive without powering down; a spare in-house eliminates downtime.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The Axis S1264 is a battle-tested workhorse that we've deployed across retail, education, healthcare, and multi-site corporate networks for over a decade in various generations. What makes it stand out is the marriage of hardware redundancy (dual PSUs, hot-swap drives) with software integration (AXIS Camera Station Pro preloaded and licensed). In our experience, the single biggest risk on smaller NVR projects is the day the OS drive fails — recording stops, nobody notices for hours, and compliance auditors ask why you were blind. The S1264 eliminates that nightmare by isolating the OS on a dedicated SSD and shipping with dual power supplies. You're paying for operational peace of mind, not just storage capacity. The 24TB/RAID5 formula gives you roughly three weeks of 64-camera retention at 2MP 15fps — long enough for most incident investigations and short enough that you don't bloat your capital budget on storage you'll never search. ONVIF compatibility is a huge advantage: you can mix Axis and third-party optics without worrying about recorder compatibility. The 64 included AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses are the real kicker — that's $20k+ in software value baked into the hardware price. However, the moment you deviate from AXIS Camera Station (say, you standardize on Milestone or Genetec), those licenses evaporate and you're buying recorder seats from a different vendor. Know your VMS roadmap first.
Technical Highlights:
- RAID5 over 24TB Enterprise HDDs: Standard configuration delivers 20TB usable capacity with single-drive fault tolerance. If any one of the six 4TB drives fails, the array continues recording without data loss — critical for facilities where a recording outage triggers compliance violations. Hot-swap capability means replacement happens in minutes, not hours.
- Dual Redundant 800W Power Supplies: Automatic failover if one PSU fails — the recorder never powers down. In our deployments across hospitals and financial services, this single feature has prevented more than a dozen outages and the forensic nightmare that follows. Cost difference between single and dual PSU is minimal; operational risk reduction is enormous.
- Windows OS + Dedicated SSD Boot Drive: Isolates system I/O from continuous video streaming. No contention between Windows updates, temporary files, and your recording pipeline. Familiar admin toolset (Windows Server utilities, Group Policy, native antivirus) for IT teams already fluent in Windows infrastructure.
- 64 Device-Core Licenses + AXIS Camera Station Pro Preloaded: Eliminates three procurement cycles: NVR hardware, recording software, and camera licenses. Ships ready to configure on day one. Mixed-camera support (Axis + ONVIF third-party) keeps you flexible as camera optics are refreshed over the recorder's lifecycle.
- FIPS 140-2 Level 2 Certification: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and signed firmware satisfy federal compliance (federal agencies, defense contractors, healthcare with HIPAA audit requirements). Reduces friction in regulated markets; some integrators find this certification alone justifies the price premium over consumer-grade NVRs.
- 850 Mbit/s Maximum Throughput: Sufficient for up to 96 channels at 4MP 30fps on a 10 Gigabit backbone. On gigabit uplinks, prioritize high-bitrate cameras (PTZ, wide-angle) and use frame-rate/resolution reduction on secondary streams to stay within the pipe.
Deployment Considerations:
- Rack depth: Confirm your 19-inch rack has at least 24–28 inches of depth. The S1264 is a 4U form factor — measure twice, order once. Shallow racks (wall-mount shelf racks) won't fit.
- Power feed: Dual PSUs expect redundant power circuits for true high availability. If you plug both into the same UPS or circuit, you've defeated the redundancy benefit. Consult your site's electrical plan before rack installation.
- Network bandwidth: 850 Mbit/s throughput is the hardware ceiling. On a gigabit uplink (125 MB/s), you're at ~68% capacity with all 96 cameras at full bitrate. In practice, most facilities run cameras at 2MP 15fps or 4MP 10fps, which average 1–2 Mbit/s each and fit comfortably. Test your actual camera bitrate before signing off on channel counts.
- Storage expansion: Six empty HDD bays allow you to populate another 24TB (6×4TB) without hardware swaps. Plan for this at purchase if your retention SLA exceeds ~18 days at full 64-camera load. Second unit is cheaper than storage licenses on some legacy platforms, but a single S1264 with populated expansion bays is simpler operationally.
- VMS lock-in: The 64 AXIS Camera Station Pro licenses are tied to this hardware. If your integrator or end-user later switches to Milestone, Genetec, or ExacqVision, those licenses are worthless — you're buying recorder seats from a new vendor. Confirm VMS standardization before signing the PO.
- Climate: Rack servers expect 50–86°F and <80% relative humidity. Telecom closets without active cooling or outdoor cabinets will thermal-throttle or fail. Plan for HVAC or an in-rack cooling solution if you're in a marginal environment.
The S1264 is the right call for integrators deploying 40–96 cameras in mission-critical environments where redundancy and compliance posture matter more than minimum unit cost. It's overkill for small offices (< 8 cameras) and unnecessary for organizations that have already standardized on a non-Axis VMS and have no intention of changing. See the Axis catalog for smaller or larger recorder options and full-stack surveillance solutions.
