# Get Started with Verkada Security Cameras

Verkada security cameras offer comprehensive video surveillance solutions and deliver reliable monitoring capabilities for enhanced safety and security.

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You need Org Admin and/or Site Admin [permissions](https://app.gitbook.com/s/NRq5qDDjsYNxwNzF1bcB/users-and-permissions/roles-and-permissions-for-command) for your Verkada Command organization to complete these actions.
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### What you need

* PoE-enabled switch or PoE injector
* DHCP-enabled network
* Cat5 or Cat6 cabling

## Create a site

Sites are the logical way of grouping and managing devices within your Command organization. Site-level permissions make managing and viewing your devices easier. See [Manage Your Sites and Subsites](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/configuration/manage-sites-and-subsites) for more information on site creation and management.

## Add a camera

Cameras can be added from the **Devices** page or directly from a site. You can see a camera’s video stream once you’ve added it to Command and connected it to the internet. See [Add a Device to Your Command Account](https://app.gitbook.com/s/NRq5qDDjsYNxwNzF1bcB/organization-settings/add-a-device-to-your-command-organization) for more information.

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Only footage recorded after a camera is added to Command will be accessible. Please ensure that the camera is successfully added to Command before you connect the camera. If you cannot add a camera, contact [Verkada Support](https://app.gitbook.com/s/NRq5qDDjsYNxwNzF1bcB/need-help/contact-verkada-support).
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### Configure settings

You can edit general settings from a camera’s settings page to make the camera more recognizable, such as changing the name and location. You can also enable more advanced settings, such as cloud backup, audio, etc., to better suit your security needs. See [View and Edit Camera Settings](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/configuration/view-and-edit-camera-settings) for more information on configuring camera settings.

#### Analytics

Most Verkada cameras support people, face, and vehicle analytics. Analytics need to be enabled in the camera’s settings before the results populate on the camera page and before you can set up most motion-based alerts. See [People Analytics](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/analytics/people-analytics) and [Vehicle Analytics](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/analytics/vehicle-analytics) for more information.

## Licensing

Every camera you manage in Command needs a license. Verkada licensing is applied for each Command organization, and the licenses co-term to a single expiration date. Your licenses may have been automatically added if you claimed your devices via order number. Otherwise, manually add the licenses from the Admin page. See [Manage Your Licenses](https://app.gitbook.com/s/NRq5qDDjsYNxwNzF1bcB/licensing/manage-your-licenses) for more information on adding and managing licenses.

## Connect your camera

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While Verkada cameras are considered low-voltage devices that do not require a certified electrician to install, we strongly recommend you work with a system integrator or other professional for installation.
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Refer to the camera’s [setup guide](https://www.verkada.com/docs/?product=videoSecurity\&contentType=setupGuide) for mounting instructions.

#### Power and network

Verkada cameras use Power over Ethernet (PoE) for power and communication over the LAN. In most cases, cameras will need to connect directly to a standard switch. PoE injectors can be used when a PoE switch is not available. See [Camera Power Requirements](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/installation/camera-specs/camera-power-requirements) for the power requirements of your specific camera model.

#### Firmware updates

Your camera will run an automatic firmware update once connected to the internet indicated by a flashing orange LED on the front of the camera. This typically takes about 3–5 minutes; see [Camera LED Status Indicators](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/installation/camera-led-status-indicators) for troubleshooting steps if the LED does not turn solid blue within this time.

## Check network settings

Verkada cameras are designed to be plug-and-play. However, if your environment includes a firewall with custom rules and policies, you may need to make some configuration changes to get your cameras connected to the cloud. See [Camera Network Settings](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/configuration/camera-network-settings) for more information.

#### Review your available bandwidth

Your internet speed requirements will depend on the number of cameras at your location. While Verkada cameras store video data locally in on-camera storage, they require an internet connection to send metadata to the cloud. Viewing video through the cloud, archiving video, or using other advanced features will increase bandwidth usage.

See [Bandwidth Consumption & Uplink Requirements](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/installation/camera-specs/bandwidth-consumption-uplink-requirements-for-video) for the bandwidth requirements of your specific camera model.

## Configure alerts

Verkada Command allows you to receive push, email, and SMS alerts for events generated in your organization. The ![](https://1795869993-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FylYKicREo6JpuOJH4teK%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-91bd70c6d63692bdc09cfe2b790499421775da49%2F05283db7c21547b9b9a924fe0723bd14f6720315.png?alt=media) in the bottom left of Command takes you to the **Alerts** page where you can set up and manage alerts. Camera events include motion detection, loitering detection, online status, and more. See [Events and Alerts](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/analytics/create-camera-event-alerts) and [Configure Camera Event Alerts](https://help.verkada.com/verkada-cameras/analytics/create-camera-event-alerts) for more information on camera events and creating alerts.