HikCentral Integration

Integrate your Hikvision HikCentral video management system with TheRelay to provide secure, cloud-based access to all managed cameras. Instead of managing individual camera connections, TheRelay pulls cameras from your HikCentral instance for centralized management.

5-Step HikCentral Integration Process

Step 1: Enable HikCentral API

Ensure the HikCentral API is enabled on your HikCentral server:

1. Log into HikCentral with admin credentials
2. Navigate to System Settings > API Services
3. Enable API Services if not already enabled
4. Note the API endpoint URL (usually https://hikcentral-ip:8443)

Step 2: Create HikCentral API User

Create a dedicated API user for TheRelay integration:

1. In HikCentral, go to User Management
2. Click "Add User" and create new account for TheRelay
3. Assign appropriate permissions (API access, camera viewing)
4. Note the username and password for next step

Step 3: Open TheRelay Dashboard

Log into your TheRelay Dashboard and navigate to the Agents section. Select the agent you want to integrate with HikCentral.

Step 4: Configure HikCentral Connection

In the agent settings, look for "VMS Integration" or "HikCentral" section:

• Enter HikCentral API endpoint URL
• Enter HikCentral API username
• Enter HikCentral API password
• Click "Test Connection" to verify settings

Step 5: Import Cameras

Once connection is verified:

1. Click "Import Cameras from HikCentral"
2. Select which cameras to import from the list
3. Confirm import settings
4. Cameras will appear in dashboard within seconds

HikCentral Setup Requirements

HikCentral Server Settings

• API Services Enabled: Required for remote access
• API Port: Default is 8443 (HTTPS)
• SSL Certificate: HikCentral should have valid SSL certificate
• Network Accessibility: Agent must be able to reach HikCentral server

Camera Configuration in HikCentral

• Cameras must be added and managed in HikCentral
• Cameras must be in "Online" status
• Stream profiles must be configured in HikCentral
• Camera credentials should be configured in HikCentral (not TheRelay)

Network Configuration

• TheRelay Agent must have HTTPS access to HikCentral (port 8443)
• Firewall must allow outbound HTTPS from agent to HikCentral
• Agent and HikCentral should be on same network or VPN
• DNS resolution must work for HikCentral hostname/IP

Managing Integrated Cameras

Viewing Integrated Cameras

Cameras imported from HikCentral appear in your TheRelay dashboard with a "HikCentral" badge indicating they are VMS-managed.

Updating Camera List

If you add new cameras to HikCentral, sync them with TheRelay:

1. Go to agent settings
2. Click "Sync HikCentral Cameras"
3. Review new cameras in the list
4. Import any new cameras you want to use

Removing Cameras

To stop publishing a HikCentral camera:

• Remove it from TheRelay dashboard
• Camera can still be accessed directly from HikCentral
• Removal does not affect HikCentral database

Access Control

Create tokens for HikCentral camera access:

• Tokens can be scoped to specific cameras
• Set token expiration for temporary access
• Use different tokens for different use cases

Troubleshooting HikCentral Integration

Connection Test Failed

• Verify HikCentral API URL is correct
• Confirm API user credentials are correct
• Check if HikCentral API Services are enabled
• Ensure firewall allows connection between agent and HikCentral
• Test connectivity from agent host: curl -k https://hikcentral-ip:8443

Cameras Not Appearing

• Verify cameras are online and configured in HikCentral
• Check that HikCentral API user has appropriate permissions
• Try syncing cameras again from TheRelay dashboard
• Review agent logs for API errors

Streams Offline

• Confirm cameras are still online in HikCentral
• Check HikCentral connectivity from agent network
• Verify stream profiles are accessible
• Restart agent service if needed

SSL Certificate Issues

• HikCentral may have self-signed certificate
• TheRelay handles self-signed certificates by default
• If issues persist, update HikCentral SSL certificate