VMS Server, RAID & Storage Calculator

Use our free AI-powered VMS Storage & Server Calculator to size your project instantly. Calculate RAID requirements, bandwidth, and retention for H.264/H.265 deployments.

How to Calculate VMS Storage & Bandwidth

Total Storage (TB) = (Total_Mbps × 3600 × 24 × Retention_Days) / (8 × 1024 × 1024)

‍Let's break that down step-by-step:

This level of detail is precisely why automated tools like the Wavestore Calculator are so valuable—they handle these complex, error-prone unit conversions correctly in the background.
  • ‍Total_Mbps: This is the total throughput, calculated by multiplying the Number of Sensors by their Bit Rate (Mbps).
  • ‍× 3600: This converts the "per second" rate to "per hour" (since there are 3600 seconds in an hour). The result is Megabits per hour.
  • × 24: This converts the "per hour" rate to "per day". The result is Megabits per day.
  • / 8: This converts the total Megabits per day into Megabytes per day (since there are 8 bits in a byte).
  • × Retention_Days: This calculates the total Megabytes required for the entire retention period.
  • / (1024 × 1024): This converts the final Megabyte value into Terabytes. (1 Terabyte = 1024 Gigabytes, and 1 Gigabyte = 1024 Megabytes).
This level of detail is precisely why automated tools like the Wavestore Calculator are so valuable—they handle these complex, error-prone unit conversions correctly in the background.
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See how we apply these tools in the real world with our Retail Video Analytics solutions.

Understanding RAID Overhead & Usable Storage

When using this calculator, remember that Raw Storage (total disk size) is not the same as Usable Storage (space available for video). To protect your data, the server uses some capacity for "parity" (redundancy).
Here is a quick reference to help you choose the right RAID level in the tool:
‍RAID 5 (Standard Redundancy):
How it works: Uses 1 drive's worth of capacity for protection.
Best for: Cost-effective storage where maximizing space is the priority. Survives 1 drive failure.

RAID 6 (High Redundancy - Recommended):
How it works: Uses 2 drives' worth of capacity for protection.
Best for: Mission-critical surveillance. It ensures your footage is safe even if two hard drives fail at the same time.

RAID 10 (High Performance):
How it works: Mirrors data across pairs of drives (50% capacity overhead).
Best for: High-write environments with hundreds of cameras where speed is more important than raw capacity.

Optimizing for Bandwidth and H.265

Calculating Network Load (Mbps)
This tool automatically calculates your Total Throughput. This number is crucial for network planning—it tells your IT team how much data will travel through your switches.
Tip: If your total throughput exceeds 600 Mbps, consider separating your camera network from your corporate network to prevent bottlenecks.
The H.265 Advantage
Toggle the codec option in the calculator to see the difference between H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC).
  • Impact: Switching to H.265 typically reduces storage requirements by 40% to 50%.
  • Action: If your calculation shows you need expensive, high-capacity servers, check if your cameras support H.265. Enabling this feature often allows you to use smaller, more affordable hardware.
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Common Questions About VMS Storage Planning

Why does "Activity Level" change my result so drastically?

If you select "Motion Detection" recording, the system only saves video when pixels change. In a quiet corridor, activity might only be 5%. In a busy reception, it might be 80%. Accurately estimating this percentage prevents you from buying hard drives for empty, static footage.

Does this calculator include the Operating System (OS) drive?

No, this calculation applies strictly to video storage. Wavestore servers typically ship with a dedicated, separate OS drive (SSD/M.2) to ensure the operating system performance doesn't interfere with video recording.

How do I calculate "Backup Bandwidth"?

Look at the "Total Bitrate" figure generated by the tool. If you plan to back up this footage to the cloud or a secondary server, your internet upload speed (or inter-site link) must match or exceed this bitrate to keep up with the real-time stream.

Can I mix different camera resolutions?

Yes. You can add multiple "Rows" to the calculator. For example, add one row for your 20 internal 1080p cameras, and a second row for your 5 external 4K cameras. The tool will sum them up for a total server recommendation.
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