ONVIFs

ONVIFs, short for the Open Network Video Interface Forum standards, are a family of open specifications for the interface of IP-based physical security products. They aim to enable interoperable communication among network cameras, encoders, video management systems (VMS), and access control devices, regardless of vendor.

The standards are developed by the ONVIF consortium, founded in 2008 by major manufacturers including Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, Sony, and Panasonic. The goal is to standardize network communication to simplify integration, reduce vendor lock-in, and support scalable deployments across diverse systems and sites.

Technically, ONVIF uses web services built around XML-based SOAP messages transmitted over HTTP or HTTPS. Devices expose services such as Device, Media, Imaging, PTZ, and Analytics, with data defined in WSDL schemas. Security and authentication mechanisms are part of the specifications, and the framework supports various compression, encoding, and streaming options to accommodate different network conditions and applications.

A key feature of ONVIF is the use of profiles, which define compatible feature sets across devices and VMS. Common profiles include Profile S for basic video streaming, Profile G for recording and retrieval, Profile A for access control, and Profile C for device discovery and configuration. A device or VMS advertises support for one or more profiles to indicate interoperability capabilities.

Adoption of ONVIF is widespread in the security industry, particularly for IP cameras and modern NVRs and VMS. While it promotes interoperability, real-world compatibility depends on the specific profiles implemented and adherence to the standard, as features may be optional or variably supported by different vendors.