Do you think I could run BI server on a Microsoft Surface Pro since tablet? -

T

toddwesson99

n3wb
Jan 25, 2015
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0
Hello Group,

I am a farmer and need to setup a remote BI server in one of my fields and connect via cellular modem. Will have three HD cameras. I was thinking about using a Surface tablet as the server since it does not use much power and dust may not be as much of a problem as with a regular laptop.

My intent is to leave the tablet in a waterproof steel case and use solar to power the tablet, router, and cameras.

I would view the cameras remotely using team viewer.

Do you think the tablet has enough CPU? Is anyone doing something similar? Any reason this is a bad idea?

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface-pro-2

The tablets can be bought used for around $400.

Thanks,

Todd
 
What cameras do you plan on using? 1.3mp or 2mp 3mp?
If you run 1.3mp cameras then you should be able to do it-assuming the unit has the i5-4200U cpu, but what you will have minimal space for recording..there are various versions of that tablet so the exact specs are important...if you buy cameras from a single vendor like hikvision or dahua, you can use their vms software that will run on much lower specs than blue iris..I personally love blue iris but your power situation may call for some compromise...
Also using team viewer to view blue iris causes a huge spike in cpu consumption...you would be better off using the built in webserver and view via a browser or the mobile app..
 
Thanks for the input. I could use the lower res cameras. Team Viewer is a pain with CPU, but it is a real headache to get to BI server using a cellular modem. Do you think this makes more sense than a more powerful laptop?
 
I would use 1.3mp cams..particularity if you have no additional lighting...the 1.3mp cameras are better at night and low light than their 3mp counter parts. As far as a laptop..many use the same processor as the surface pro.. depends on how much power you have there..there are new laptops/tablets shipping with intels new broadwell 5000 series processors..they are supposed to be even more efficient than haswells.
Another though..how far are the cameras from your main power source..you can use long range wifi from ubiquiti...that way you wont need to have your server in the field or pay for cellular out there...
 
Just as a note - I have 4 cameras connected to an i3 laptop and the laptop is inside a sign out on the front of a property and it has been running great for 2.2 years now. The sign has no heat or air of course as it is a sign... But I did have a temperature controlled exhaust fan in there so it will vent when it hits over 80 or so in there. I have it recording to an external hard drive and I have had zero issues.

I'm not using BI though so with the client closed my CPU is running only 2-4% and I did this as a quick solution but so far I've no regrets in my situation.
@fenderman suggestion above is a solid one, the Ubiquiti stuff might be a great option that would save you some remote power. Worth looking into at least depending on the range.
 
@Razer VERY cool idea...is the sign itself water tight or did you put the laptop in some enclosure?
 
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The sign is watertight, one side of the sign is hinged so you can open it and access the equipment inside.

I have another sign so big it has a full desktop and monitor inside of it lol, two switches, a UPS, remote power device and all. No one would ever thing the equipment is hiding inside the sign! This sign is a monument type sign pretty good size and I could fit another desktop and monitor inside if I needed to for some reason. You should see how confused you can make a cable installer when you ask for your cable internet installed to be to a sign....
 
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