5.24.0813

Released August 13, 2024

Server version: 5.24.0813
Client version: 5.24.0813

Features

Boring Web
- Scheduled Reports
  - Manually start scheduled reports outside of the scheduled run
  - Include SD-Card information
    - Status
    - Recording State
    - Encrypted
    - Storage Used
  - Include Hardware Description
- Export Recent Events
  - All Events, Server, or Camera
  - Export the last 7 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, or 3 months

Updates

Boring Web
- Added filter by unlicensed hardware
- Implemented viewing larger camera snapshots by clicking on the image in the details view
- Updated scheduled report default device type to ‘Camera’
- Various other UI/UX updates.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed hardware details not populating in some situations
- Fixed ‘offline’ status showing for cameras in Maintenance mode or Disabled
- Fixed details view snapshots being retrieved for disabled cameras
- Fixed scheduled reports device groups selection modal not filling area
- Various other minor UI/UX bug fixes

5.24.0625

Released June 25, 2024

Server version: 5.24.0625
Client version: 5.24.0625

Features

Boring Web
- Camera snapshot in hardware & camera details view
  - Ability to refresh latest snapshot
- Camera storage click on the camera will redirect to the hardware page with the camera selected.
- Hardware listing showing unlicensed hardware with status “Unlicensed”
Boring Services
- Boring Live Monitoring email notification when service disconnects from Milestone event server.
  - Note: Email notifications must be enabled on the managed site.

Updates

Boring Web
- Added camera model in password manager hardware row.
- Updated hardware page action menu and status options.
- Added loading mask for long running tasks.
- Implemented Arecont password sync.
- Optimized data loading and requests.
- Added messaging in the hardware cell for passwords that do not meet hardware manufacturer password requirements.
- Added better notifications for all updates.
- Various other UI/UX updates.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed hardware details not showing Maintenance status
- Fixed hardware listing collapsing server row when hardware or device details view open.
- Fixed wrapping text in the report available runs panel.
- Fixed auto device groups disappearing during preview mode.
- Fixed camera settings not showing supported cameras when changing settings.
- Fixed freezing UI.
- Various other minor bug fixes.

5.24.0520

Released May 20, 2024

Server version: 5.24.0520
Client version: 5.24.0520

Features

Boring Web
- Hardware Listing (New Design)
  - Listing of all Recording Servers, Hardware, and Devices.
  - Count of all Recording Servers, Hardware, and Devices.
  - Select All/None Recorders, Hardware, and Devices
  - Filter Hardware and Devices by:
    - Brand
    - Device Status (Enabled, Online)
    - Device Type (Camera, Audio Input & Output, Output, Metadata)
    - Hardware Status (Enabled, Maintenance)
    - Device Group (All available)
  - Search by name, MAC, IP, and Subnet address
  - Name & Status Columns
    - Name of Recording Server, Hardware, Devices including
      - Address
      - Critical & HTTPS tags
      - Count of Hardware on each Recording Server
    - Status of Recording Server, Hardware, Devices
      - Recording Server Started/Stopped Status
      - Camera Online/Offline
      - Count of offline Cameras on Recording Server and Hardware rows
      - Maintenance Mode
  - Bulk Actions
    - Status toggle
      - Hardware Enabled/Disabled
      - Device Enabled/Disabled
      - HTTPS On/Off
      - Maintenance Mode On/Off
      - Critical On/Off
    - Hardware Control
      - Reboot
      - Autofocus
    - Edit
      - Rename Hardware
      - Rename Devices
      - Camera Settings
    - Delete Hardware
  - Details View - Recording Server
    - Name, Address with remote desktop connection rdp link download
    - Count of enabled Hardware & Camera
    - Storage listing, drive name, storage type, used, free, and total space
    - Recorder status (Online/Offline) including time in days in current status.
      - Link to all recent events
    - Camera status (Online/Offline) count
  - Details View - Hardware
    - Name, Address, username & password (copy), MAC address, and Storage
    - Controls Reboot & Autofocus
    - Description field.
    - Status (Online/Offline) count
  - Details View - Device
    - Name, Model, Address, username & password (copy), MAC address, and Storage
    - Controls Reboot & Autofocus
    - Status (Online/Offline) including time in days in current status.
      - Link to view all recent events
    - Video Stream information Codec, Resolution, Framerate, Streaming Mode
    - Device groups camera is associated with.
  - Rename Hardware & Devices (Bulk)
    - Find & Replace text
    - Add Text before or after text
  - Reboot Axis & Hanwha (Bulk)
  - Autofocus Axis & Hanwha (Bulk)
  - Camera Settings (Bulk)
    - Supported settings
      - Codec - Default, supported codec
      - Frames Per Second (FPS) - Custom FPS value
      - Resolution - Max, Min, or supported resolution
      - Streaming Mode - Default, supported streaming mode
    - Option to override updated values
    - Preview before making any changes

Updates

Boring Web
- Various minor UI updates
Boring Toolbox
- Added autofocus support for additional Hanwha & Axis models
- Implemented filtering Camera Brand chart by Camera Model
Boring Services
- Added settings flag to skip resolving address
  - “ResolveIpAddresses”: true or false
- Implemented ignoring Axis body cameras

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed sync password not available for some Axis hardware.
- Various minor bug fixes.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed BAM renewal expiration not displaying.
- Fixed login error that occurred on some systems.
- Fixed global dashboard live monitoring delay in showing status.
- Fixed managed site report failing for a large number of managed sites.
- Fixed global dashboard unhandled exception during monitoring.
- Fixed saving scheduled report.
- Various minor bug fixes.
Boring Services
- Fixed unhandled exception related to caching.
- Various minor bug fixes.

5.24.0129

Released January 29, 2024

Server version: 5.24.0129
Client version: 5.24.0129

Features

Boring Web
- New Design using our custom Yawntm component library.
  - Standardized look & feel across all pages.
  - Better visual fonts & tooltips, modals, loading indicators, buttons, and more.
  - New floating action bar for all edit/bulk operations.
  - New Filter & Sort design
- Password Manager
  - Change Password with Sync
    - Apply custom or auto-generated password to selected cameras
    - Cameras that support sync will update the password in the camera and Milestone.
      - Syncable brands include Axis, Hanwha, Sony, and Bosch
  - Toggle password visibility on one or many cameras
    - The user must have permission to view passwords in Milestone.
  - Password health check
    - Scanning of all hardware passwords for the following:
      - Weak Passwords
      - Common Passwords - Searches list of 10,000 common passwords
      - Default Passwords
      - Duplicate Passwords
      - Password last updated (only supported on Milestone 2020 and above)
    - Password health report with downloadable Excel file.
    - Password manager password health icon indicating password issues.
    - Filter by Recording Server, Camera Brand, and Status
    - Sort by Camera name, model, Uri, Mac Address, and Username
    - Search by Camere name, Mac address, and IP & Subnet address
    - User auditing of password updates
      - Note: changed passwords are not stored
- License notification when the managed site does not have enough licenses allocated for all available hardware.
Boring Toolbox
- Connect to the Web in the login dialog
  - Authenticate and connect directly to the web without requiring loading the Boring Toolbox.
  - Note: A managed site must be configured for this feature.
- Managed Sites
  - Managed Site overview & user audit report
    - Managed Site sheet includes:
      - Site Name
      - Status
      - Boring installed version
      - Configured licenses
      - Licenses needed
      - License difference (configured - needed)
      - Number of scheduled reports
      - Number of report runs
      - Total number of cameras enabled
      - Number of cameras offline
    - User Audit sheet includes:
      - Connected User (name)
      - Number of connections to each managed site
        
        Note: this includes the service account used for Boring windows services & IIS application.
  - Filter by Boring Server version
  - Added Milestone version to managed site tiles
- Show/Hide video preview in the details panel
  - My Settings > Advanced > Live Video Player (On/Off) toggle
- Added Bosch for Reboot & Autofocus

Updates

Boring Server Complete installer
- Updated .NET prerequisite to .NET 6.0.26 (latest as of Jan 28, 2024)
  - Note: This only applies to systems that do not have .NET installed and the prerequisite needs to be installed.
- Updated silent installation.
  - For new installations with defaults or updates use:
    - .\BoringServerComplete-5.24.0129.exe /exenoui /qn SILENT="1"
  - For new installations with custom DB use:
    - .\BoringServerComplete-5.24.0129.exe /exenoui /qn BORINGDATABASE_NAME="BoringBaseCustom"
    - Note: replace “BoringBaseCustom” with the Boring database name of your choosing.
Boring Toolbox
- Details view panel is now shown by default
  - Toggle visibility is still available.
- Optimized hardware search for larger systems
- Autofocus support for multisensor cameras (Axis/Hanwha)
- Added BAM renewal notification
  - BAM renewal notification will be shown for licenses with BAM expired or expiring in 90 days.
- Added BAM renewal information in the About dialog
- Removed Zoom in/out functionality
- Optimized checking for Boring services running.
- Updated license activation process & messaging.
- Updated device groups to require a managed for all actions.
Boring Services
- Optimized connection to Boring Bot
- Implemented service validation with delays.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Reduced UI re-renders.
- Better overall stability and performance.
- Various other minor bug fixes.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed trial remaining days count.
- Various other minor bug fixes.
Boring Services
- Fixed SD card fetching for Axis/Hanwha/Bosch
- Fixed Boring services checking valid license performance when the license is invalid.
- Fixed Milestone initialization and better handling of failures.
- Fixed duplicate live monitoring records when a high volume of concurrent flapping camera events are triggered.
- Various other minor bug fixes.

5.23.0905

Released September 5, 2023

Server version: 5.23.0905
Client version: 5.23.0905

Features

Boring Bot - Teams Integration (Preview)
- Multiple site support
  - @BoringBot connect-server
    - Connect and manage multiple management servers in a single channel.
  - @BoringBot list-servers
    - List all the management servers connected to the Boring Bot.
- Bot commands - interact directly with your management server
  - @BoringBot vms-status
    - Get statistics on all the recording servers started & stopped, all the cameras not providing video & providing video, and all cameras in maintenance..
  - @BoringBot camera-status
    - Search for a camera by name or IP address across your management server, send details to channel including:
      - Name
      - Status (providing video & not providing video)
      - Is Critical
      - IP Address
      - MAC Address
      - SD-Card status
- Live monitoring notifications to channel
  - Cameras not providing video & providing video.
  - Recording servers started & stopped.
- Scheduled report delivery
  - Receive scheduled report link directly to the channel.
Boring Toolbox
- Filter by Recording Server through the settings dialog
  - This applies to all connected sites and managed sites
  - Support filtering across multiple sites
- Interactive count of Critical Cameras not providing video in Global Dashboard & System Overview
  - Details view dialog with a grid of all Critical Cameras not providing video for each site
  - Export to Excel
- Interactive count of Recording Severs & Cameras in Maintenance Mode on Global Dashboard & System Overview
  - Details dialog with a grid of all items in Maintenance Mode grouped by Recording Server or Site.
  - Export to Excel
Boring Server Complete Installer
- Removed Service Account selection
  - Boring will automatically use the current service account used by the Milestone Management Server
  - Applies to Boring Windows services (“Boring Live Monitoring”, “Boring Milestone Proxy” and “Boring Service Host”) and Boring IIS application pools (“BoringLabService AppPool” & “BoringToolbox AppPool”)
- Removed Milestone database selection
  - The installer will look up the Milestone database and SQL Server address from the current installation of Milestone.
- Boring database selection will automatically populate the custom BoringBase name during the upgrade
- Updated Recovery options for Boring windows services for better uptime
New "Boring Milestone Proxy” Windows service
- Used for all Milestone SDK integrations

Updates

Boring Web
- Optimized Dashboard loading by up to 80%
- Optimized scheduled “Run Now” report run
- Improved caching and loading of Live Monitoring data
Boring Toolbox
- Better license management for online and offline activations
  - The updated license will be pushed to the connected site and all associated Managed Sites
  - Each connected user will use the latest license from the server
- Optimized hardware listing search for large systems
- Optimized “Auto Device Group” for enabled only hardware & cameras.
- Updated default selection for ad-hoc and scheduled reports to enabled only hardware & devices and device type of Camera.
Boring Services
- Improved overall stability of all Boring Windows services
  - Boring Service Host, Boring Live Monitoring, and Boring Milestone Proxy.
- Boring Live Monitoring handling Milestone Event Server disconnect events
- Added logging of all user logins.
- Improved Boring Bot recovery when the connection is lost with service.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed recorder & cameras maintenance count.
- Fixed dashboard dialog camera counts not matching.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed hardware listing icons not updating after setting maintenance mode & critical on recording servers.
- Fixed setting maintenance not updating the count in the system overview dashboard.
Boring Services
- Fixed scheduled report filtering by recording server not reflecting in all sheets.
- Fixed session timeout causing application to stop running.
- Fixed scheduled report including zero value for missing retention.
- Fixed “Send to Bot” report option sometimes not sending report run to Boring Bot.
- Fixed Bosch SD card retrieval.
- Fixed Live Monitoring events with duplicate timestamps.

5.23.0525

Released May 25, 2023

Server version: 5.23.0525
Client version: 5.23.0525

Features

Boring Web
- Scheduled Maintenance
  - List all scheduled maintenance
  - Create scheduled maintenance with
    - Name
    - Recording Server(s)
    - Recurrence - Weekly / Monthly
    - Start & End time
    - Timezone
    - Notification email recipient
  - Edit & Delete existing scheduled maintenance
  - Cancel active scheduled maintenance
    - Details including cancel date and user that canceled active maintenance
  - Filter by maintenance name
Boring Toolbox
- Audible desktop notifications for cameras not providing video and recording server stopped alert.
  - Choose from five system sounds.
  - Settings
    - Camera alert sound
    - Recording Server alert sound
  - Dismiss notifications
  - Supports live monitoring alerts from all connected managed sites in Global Dashboard
- Hardware description field
  - Enter up to 500 character descriptions on each hardware
- Start & Restart “Boring Live Monitoring” & “Boring Service Host” Windows services from Managed Sites.

Updates

Boring Web
- Dashboard Recorder Storage Tile
- Various minor UI updates
Boring Toolbox
- Updated service check to always use HTTPS instead of relying on a redirect from HTTP.
- Updated hardware details view UI
- Various minor UI updates
Boring Services
- Optimized scheduled reports for larger systems

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed dashboard live monitoring not clearing values when the service is not connected.
- Fixed device groups action menu not updating based on selection.
- Fixed device group rename requiring reloading to see children after rename.
- Fixed device groups listing & Auto Device Groups dialog showing scrollbars.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed Global Dashboard not showing recent offline camera events.
- Fixed password health last modified date check.
- Fixed scheduled report not opening after saving in Boring Web.
- Fixed managed site showing login when already logged in.

5.23.0420

Released April 20, 2023

Server version: 5.23.0420
Client version: 5.23.0420

Features

Boring Bot - Slack Integration (Preview)
- Multiple site support
  - /boring-connect-server
    - Connect and manage multiple management servers in a single channel.
  - /boring-list-servers
    - List all the management servers connected to the Boring Bot.
- Slash commands - interact directly with your management server
  - /boring-vms-status
    - Get statistics on all the recording servers started & stopped, all the cameras not providing video & providing video, and all cameras in maintenance..
  - /boring-camera-status
    - Search for a camera by name or IP address across your management server, send details to channel including:
      - Name
      - Status (providing video & not providing video)
      - Is Critical
      - IP Address
      - MAC Address
      - SD-Card status
- Live monitoring notifications to channel
  - Cameras not providing video & providing video.
  - Recording servers started & stopped.
- Scheduled report delivery
  - Receive scheduled report Excel output directly to the channel.
Boring Web
- Scheduled Reports
  - Create a report to only include cameras not providing
  - Create a report to only include the camera’s without any saved video based on a specified duration
    - Default: 8 hours
    - Maximum: 240 hours (10 days)
  - Send to Slack - send the scheduled report to Slack Boring Bot
- Device Groups
  - Bulk management - select 1 or more device groups or members for bulk actions.
  - Auto Device Group - Automatically generate device groups by predefined templates including:
    - [Camera Model] - Grouped by camera model
    - [Camera Model] - [Product ID] - Grouped by camera model and product ID
    - [Storage Name] - Grouped by cameras in the same recording server & storage location
  - Add & Delete device groups
  - Add & Remove device group members.
  - Rename device groups
    - Replace Text - find & replace
    - Add Text - before or after the name
  - Search across all device groups and members by
    - Device group name
    - Camera name
    - Camera IP address
    - Camera MAC Address
  - Expand/Collapse device group listing
  - Select All/None device groups and members
- Bot Integrations
  - Connect the Bot
    - Select integration service (Slack)
    - Install the app (Add to workspace)
    - Connect the bot (Generate Connection Token)
  - Settings
    - Enable/Disable sending scheduled report files to the channel
    - Enable/Disable sending live monitoring updates to the channel
Boring Toolbox
- Scheduled Reports
  - Create a report to only include cameras not providing
  - Create a report to only include the camera’s without any saved video based on a specified duration
    - Default: 8 hours
  - Send to Slack - send the scheduled report to Slack
- Global dashboard camera search across all connected managed sites
  - Search by Camera Name or IP Address
  - Download Excel export of search results

Updates

Boring Web
- Dashboard Recorder Storage Tile
  - Added additional storage threshold options
  - Filter by 10% or 5% of free disk space
- Added notification if live monitoring service loses connection to the Milestone Event server.
- Hide all cameras in maintenance from recent events.
- Disable creating scheduled reports if Boring Service Host is not running.
- Showing ‘Permission denied’ in the password column if the user has restricted access.
- Added Bot EULA
- Various minor UI updates
Boring Toolbox
- Dashboard Recorder Storage Tile
  - Added additional storage threshold options
  - Filter by 10% or 5% of free disk space
- Global dashboard managed site filter dropdown.
- Hardware Listing > Details View
  - Showing only enabled cameras video stream
- Various minor UI updates
Boring Services
- Support for empty camera sheet in the scheduled report.
  - Include all requested recorder data.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed ‘Run Now’ report failing to report for restricted user roles.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed add device group members dialog input filter throwing an exception when clearing.
- Fixed saving camera settings throw an exception due to unexpected stream name.
- Fixed global dashboard site report including disabled cameras.
- Various minor bug fixes
Boring Services
- Fixed login issues with older versions of Milestone.
- Fixed database connection string lookup failing on some versions of Milestone

5.23.0202

Released February 2, 2023

Server version: 5.23.0202
Client version: 5.23.0202

Features

Boring Toolbox
- Password health check scanning of all hardware passwords for the following:
  - Weak Passwords
  - Common Passwords - Searches list of 10,000 common passwords
  - Default Passwords
  - Duplicate Passwords
  - Password last updated
- Password health report with downloadable excel file.
- Password manager password health icon indicating password issues.

Updates

Boring Toolbox
- Optimized dashboard loading including Camera Storage and Live Monitoring for large systems.
- Hardware listing now shows “Enabled” only hardware and devices.
- Implemented filtering by “Syncable & Providing Video” status in Password Manager view.
- Optimized bulk saving for larger systems.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed missing camera brand causing live monitoring not to load.
- Fixed maintenance mode timestamp issue.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed dashboard Recorder Storage incorrectly displaying drives as below threshold storage.
- Fixed login issues with older versions of Milestone.
Boring Services
- Fixed login issues with older versions of Milestone.
- Fixed saving scheduled reports causing duplicate reports to get generated.

5.22.1213

Released December 13, 2022

Server version: 5.22.1213
Client version: 5.22.1213

Updates

Upgraded to .NET 6.0
Upgraded to the latest Milestone SDK.
Upgraded dependencies and packages to the latest versions where applicable.
Boring Web
- Added clickable values for system overview Recorder, Hardware, and Camera counts showing details modal.
- Optimized session management.
- Various UI optimizations and minor updates.
Boring Toolbox
- Implemented bulk reboot of supported cameras:
  - Axis
  - Hanwha
  - Samsung
- Optimized ad-hoc report camera with snapshot processing.
- Optimized password manager IP address and subnet search.
Boring Services
- Added support for Milestone 2022R3 connection string.
- Optimized Boring database tables and queries.
- Optimized Boring API.
Boring Installer
- Added .NET 6.0.11 prerequisite
- Added IIS URL Rewrite prerequisite
- Added support for using the latest ODBC driver available on the machine.
- Added optimizations for Boring application pools for extended sessions.
- Signed all included PowerShell scripts.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed excessive warning showing up for camera storage tile.
- Fixed dashboard loading issue with cameras in maintenance.
- Fixed login dialog appearing when the session expires.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed enabling critical mode on hardware.
- Fixed ad-hoc report IP address parsing.
- Fixed reload site not updating licensed hardware count in site navigation.
- Fixed saving managed site not setting smart notification value.
- Fixed managed site license allocation showing error on invalid site address.
- Fixed password manager IP address and subnet search.
- Fixed search input showing && instead of &.
- Various minor bug fixes.
Boring Services
- Fixed parsing Milestone recorder disk drive data that was failing due to unexpected overflow value.

5.22.1024

Released October 24, 2022

Server version: 5.22.1024
Client version: 5.22.1024

Updates

Boring Web
- Implemented disabling camera storage when the Boring service host is not running.
- Implemented login from the Toolbox thick client from existing authenticated session.
- Implemented export to excel for data in modals.
Boring Toolbox
- Managed Sites
  - Redesigned managed site creation and editing dialog.
  - Implemented clone parent settings for managed sites
  - Implemented allocating all available hardware licenses to managed site.
  - Implemented multi-select managed sites for bulk editing and deleting.
  - Bulk editing managed site email, notification, and live monitoring settings.
  - Implemented the ability to edit/override server address of saved managed or parent site.
  - Implemented auto-allocation of available hardware licenses of a new parent site.
  - Optimized site login to be non-blocking.
  - Added better messaging.
- Implemented login to Boring web using the current authenticated session.
- Implemented setting critical and maintenance mode on disabled hardware.
Boring Services
- Implemented recovery options for Live Monitoring and Service Host to restart the service if the service stops.
- Optimized session management with Boring IIS application pools.
- Updated Service Host startup type to Automatic (Delayed).
- Implemented null checking for sd-card processing.
- Optimized Live Monitoring event handling duplicate timestamps.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed modals refreshing issue.
- Fixed modal grid redrawing & resetting issues.
- Fixed parsing null hardware IP address.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed hardware devices not refreshing after renaming.
- Fixed ad-hoc camera report not filtering recording servers in the recorder sheets.
- Fixed ad-hoc camera report with snapshot not handling invalid characters in recorder name.
- Fixed select all including hidden items in the hardware Treeview listing.
- Fixed managed site not displaying login option when unable to connect.
Boring Services
- Fixed live monitoring handling of enabled camera responding states.

5.22.0720

Released July 20, 2022

Server version: 5.22.0720
Client version: 5.22.0720

Updates

Boring Web
- Optimized dashboard loading of system overview, live monitoring, recent events, and camera storage.
- Optimized flapping camera processing for large systems.
- Added report name to notifications.
- Added loading indicator on dialogs and dashboard tiles
- Updated recent event modals to only show the last 500 camera events.
- Added image viewer for reports that include snapshots.
- Added more granular timestamp for recent events and modal with timestamp columns.
- Updated saving settings to the logged-in user instead of globally to all users.
- Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.
Boring Toolbox
- Added below license indicator to managed sites when allocated licenses are below the total available.
- Optimized camera storage loading for a large number of recording servers.
- Updated enabled and disabled camera counts to check for hardware status.
- Updated filtering enabled and disabled cameras in hardware listing to check for hardware status.
- Updated toggle maintenance and critical mode to only enabled hardware.
- Added notification in camera tile when a managed site has not been configured and Boring Service Host not running.
- Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.
Boring Services
- Added background processing of camera storage.
  - Default: 6-hour refresh
  - DataCollection > Jobs > StorageLocationHistory > RunInterval
- Updated processing of camera snapshots to support concurrent retrieval.
  - - Default 15 concurrent snapshot retrieval
    - Boring Service Host appsettings.json
      - CameraSnapshots > MaxConcurrentChecks
- Added storage history tables for recording storage, storage configuration, and camera storage.
- Optimized large database tables for faster lookup using indexes.
- Added delayed processing for all background services when initially starting.
- Optimized CPU utilization when processing camera reports.
- Optimized processing of camera reports.

Bug Fixes

Boring Web
- Fixed run-now report timeout issues for processing a large number of cameras.
- Fixed running concurrent run-now report processing.
- Fixed camera tile error occurring when camera no longer exists.
- Fixed fullscreen not working properly in a browser running on OSX.
- Fixed system overview camera counts including disabled cameras.
- Fixed live monitoring camera responding & not responding counts including recording servers offline.
- Fixed camera storage tile “Cameras without saved video” including cameras that are disabled & not providing video.
- Fixed recording server storage tile layout when filtering.
- Fixed camera report panel resizing when adding additional email recipients.
- Fixed ordering of camera events in recent events modal.
- Fixed flapping cameras appearing in the recent events panel.
- Fixed browser login prompt appearing.
- Fixed camera report viewer of snapshots that have different dimensions.
Boring Toolbox
- Fixed camera status chart displaying storage dropdown.
- Fixed camera status chart not reflecting updates to live monitoring status.
- Fixed camera status chart displaying storage dropdown.
- Fixed camera status chart not reflecting updates to live monitoring status.
Boring Services
- Fixed duplicate mac address issue when processing sd-cards

5.22.0614

Released June 14, 2022

Server version: 5.22.0614
Client version: 5.22.0614

Features

Boring Toolbox Web
- Reports
  - View, edit, and delete reports created by either Toolbox desktop client or web
  - Create daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled reports
  - Create run now (Ad-hoc) reports
    - Include camera password
      - Toggle password visibility in web viewer in bulk or by camera
      - Note: reports with passwords cannot be emailed
    - Emailed ad-hoc reports with 4-hour expiration (optional)
  - Customize columns included in the report
    - Recording Server
    - Brand
    - Type
    - Model / Series
    - Hardware Name
    - IP Address
    - MAC Address
    - Device Enabled
    - HTTPS Enabled
    - Status
    - Is Critical
    - Recorder Storage
    - Camera Storage
    - Stream Information
    - Note: Device Name is always included in all reports
  - Email report with attachment
  - View reports in browser
  - Get a shareable link for completed report runs
    - Note: Requires login to access the report
- SD-Card
  - Count of total hardware with installed SD-Card
  - SD-Card details for supported hardware include:
    - SD-Card health status
    - Recording status (Yes/No)
    - Encryption status (Yes/No)
    - Storage used
- Settings
  - Show/Hide camera storage title visibility on the dashboard for all users
  - Show/Hide SD-Card alerts visibility on the dashboard for all users
- Notifications
  - Listing of all recent notifications
  - Status of ad-hoc report generation
  - Completed ad-hoc report runs
    - Share, view in browser, and download excel the report
Boring Toolbox desktop client
- Reports
  - Customize columns included in the report
    - See above listing of all available columns
  - Email report with attachment
- Settings
  - Show/Hide camera storage tile from the dashboard
    - Note: this is a per-user setting

Updates

Optimized camera storage loading with caching
- Default cache duration: 6 hours
- BoringAPI > appsettings.json > "Milestone" > "CameraStorageCacheInterval"
Updated camera storage fetching of only enabled devices
Updated recent event listing for better handling of flapping cameras
Updated report email template to only include "View Report"
Added report download & view page
Added Milestone integration registration for the Toolbox desktop client
Improved Boring API session handling
Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.

Bug Fixes

Fixed reload not clearing search text field in hardware and password listing
Fixed device groups add members filtering when 'Enabled only' is unchecked
Fixed error when attempting to download deleted report runs
Fixed report web viewer grid rendering
Fixed opening report link from email sometimes does not work in Chrome
Fixed SD-Card alerts to only include hardware that has been confirmed to have SD-Card installed
Fixed handling of notification dialog by clicking 'X' to cancel the action
Various other minor bug fixes.

5.22.0406

Released April 6, 2022

Server version : 5.22.0406
Client version : 5.22.0406

Features

Boring Toolbox Web
(Early Access)
- Live Monitoring
  - Server and Camera health
    - Servers started & stopped
    - Cameras providing video and not providing video
    - Critical cameras not providing video
    - Servers and Cameras currently in maintenance mod
  - Management server performance monitoring for CPU & Memory.
  - System Overview
    - Server count
    - Hardware (enabled & disabled) count
    - Cameras (enabled and disabled) count
- Recent Events
  - Live listing of Server started/stopped events and cameras online/offline events
  - Filter by specific event type
    - All Events (default)
    - Server Events
    - Camera Events
  - Server event includes recorder name, IP address, event date/time, and status (Server Started & Server Stopped).
  - Camera invent includes camera name, IP address, event date/time, and status (Camera Online and Camera Offline)
  - Server and camera name are both clickable for additional event information related to selected item.
  - Infinite scroll for viewing all past events
- Flapping Cameras
  - See all cameras that have gone offline for a specified amount of time but come back prior to the threshold for "Camera not providing video" was triggered.
    - For example, if your threshold is 90 seconds and the camera goes offline and comes back online within 30 seconds, that could be a flapping event but not a "Camera not providing video" event because it was less than 90 seconds.
  - Configurable settings
    - Minimum number of down events of 1 to 10.
      - Default: 3 down events
    - Duration of down time of 3 to15 seconds
      - Default: at least 5 seconds
    - Within the last 6-96 hours
      - Default: 24 hours
- Camera Storage Tile
  - Sortable list of top cameras consuming the most or least storage across all recording servers and grouped by recording server.
  - Filter by specific recording server
  - Automatically updates every hour.
    - Refresh button to force refresh.
- Recording Sever Storage Tile
  - List of all recording servers with storage that are below the specified threshold
  - Filter by storage "Free Space Threshold" values of 15, 25, 35, and 45%.
    - Default: "Below 25% free space"
  - Filter by storage type including
    - All storage types (default)
    - Live Storage
    - Archive Storage
    - Storage Configurations
    - Other storage
  - Automatically updates every hour.
    - Refresh button to force refresh.
- Cameras Without Saved Video
  - See all cameras that are providing video but do not have any saved video
  - Excludes cameras that are in maintenance mode
  - Clickable for more details
    - See past camera events
- SD-Card Alerts
  - See cameras with SD-cards that have any errors or connection issues.
  - Supporting Axis, Hanwha, and Bosch cameras.
  - Clickable for more details
    - Is Recording
    - Is Encrypted
    - Storage Used
- View Scheduled Report in Browser
  - Open a scheduled report in the browser without the need to install excel.
  - Filtering, sorting, and searching on one more many columns.
  - Supports displaying camera snapshots images
  - Recording Information and Storage Configuration (if included) as tabs

Updates

Added link to open new Boring Toolbox Web in System Overview, Global Dashboard, and Managed Sites.
Added "View Report In Browser" with scheduled report notification emails to open and view excel generated report in Boring Toolbox Web.
Added Boring Server installer flag SQLDRIVER to override default sql server driver used by the installer.
- SQLDRIVER should be the name of the sql server drivers available on your system. Default: "SQL Server"
- For Example: .\BoringServerComplete-5.22.0406.exe SQLDRIVER="SQL Server Native Client 11.0"
Added IIS Application "BoringToolbox" and AppPool "BoringToolboxWeb AppPool" for new Boring Toolbox Web.
Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.

Bug Fixes

Fixed camera report not opening in default application (excel) when clicked in notification.
Fixed hardware listing selection bug when filtering.
Various other minor bug fixes.

5.22.0301

Released March 1, 2022

Server version : 5.22.0301
Client version : 5.22.0301

Updates

Optimized schedule report memory usage when processing large number of hardware.
Optimized reading CPU & Memory performance information.
Added configuration option "HideNetworkAddresses" to exclude IP address in notification emails including Maintenance Started/Stopped, Camera Providing & Not Providing Video, and Recording Started & Stopped.
- Default value "false" - include IP Address in notification emails
- Boring Service Host > appsettings.json > MaintenanceNotifications > HideNetworkAddresses
- Boring Live Monitoring > appsettings.json > Notifications > HideNetworkAddresses
Managed site configuration dialog connection details now only requires Server Address to setup a managed site.
- Boring windows services & IIS AppPool will utilize the service account selected during the installation of Boring Server Complete.
- Note: The service account (Network Service or windows account) must be in the windows Administrator group and have access to Milestone.
Managed site tile UI includes additional information and shortcuts.
- Additional Information:
  - Include Interconnect (Yes/No)
  - Installed Version of Boring Server (ie: v5.22.0301)
  - Email notifications Status (Enabled/Disabled)
  - Smart Notifications Status (Enabled/Disabled)
  - Critical Only notifications (Yes/No)
- Shortcuts
  - Open New Tab button to navigate to the managed site in another tab in Boring Toolbox.
  - RDP link on the server address.
  - "Try to sign in again" link when unable to authenticate access to the managed site with existing credentials.
Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.

Bug Fixes

Fixed camera zoom out not working on supported devices.
Fixed scheduled report not processing when interconnected hardware is not included.
Fixed global dashboard > managed site monitoring "Recorder Stopped" count issue when "Recording server offline threshold" is set to 0 seconds.
Various other minor bug fixes.

5.21.1221

Released December 21, 2021

Server version : 5.21.1221
Client version : 5.21.1221

Updates

Smart Notifications enabled by default when creating a new Parent or Managed child site.
Boring Toolbox client login will now show a "License conflict" error if your client license is out of date compared to the Management Server you're attempting to connect to.
- Note: Run "Check License Status" in "Toolbox > About" dialog.
Added license expiration date under "Support Plan" in "Toolbox > About" dialog.
Changed "Toolbox > Boring Services" status message for Boring Live Monitoring & Service Host from "Not Installed" to "Unknown" when unable to retrieve windows services running state.
- Note: This is likely due to permissions of the IIS AppPool >"BoringLabService AppPool" Identity.
Set Cameras & Recording Server as Critical without having "Critical Only" notifications enabled in the Managed Site.
Updated global overview managed site monitoring to show a site as offline if the Milestone Event Server is stopped or unavailable to the Boring Live Monitoring background service.
- Note: Boring Live Monitoring service may still be running but unable to connect to the Milestone Event Server usually due to event server being stopped or authentication issues.
Improved scheduled report processing camera retention retrieval on larger system with additional configuration options:
- "ProxyRunTimeout" BoringAPI configuration option to allow extended scheduled report processing of camera retention retrieval on larger systems. Default 10 minutes
  - BoringAPI > appsettings.json > "Milestone"
- "MaxConcurrentHardwareCheckCount" Milestone Proxy configuration option for the number of hardware to process concurrently during retention retrieval. Default 10 hardware
  - Milestone Proxy > appsettings.json > "HardwareCommand"
- "HardwareCheckTimeout" Milestone Proxy configuration option for the time to wait before a timeout is reached during retention retrieval. Default 5 seconds timeout
  - Milestone Proxy > appsettings.json > "HardwareCommand"
Boring Server installer
- Added better messaging regarding your license support information for the current version you're installing.
- Removed 'Local Service' account option from "Select service account" step.
Lots of other minor UI enhancements and performance improvements.

Bug Fixes

Fixed live monitoring service not completing when a TLS conflict (misconfiguration) exists between the system and Internet Explorer security settings.
Fixed saving managed site error when system Date format does not match between Boring Toolbox and Boring Server.
Fixed bug deleting a parent managed site sometimes would show a failed notification.
Fixed exception thrown when processing hardware data collection through Milestone Proxy.
Fixed typo when enabling or disabling Critical mode.
Fixed exception thrown when loading recording servers configured with over 2PB of storage.
Fixed delete group/member continues when click 'X' on confirm dialog.
Various other minor bug fixes.

5.21.0914

Released September 14, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0914
Client version : 5.21.0914

Updates

Scheduled report "Status" column now displays "Boring Service Offline" if Boring Live Monitoring service is not running.

Bug Fixes

Fixed scheduled report not running due to error when processing large number of cameras.
Fixed scheduled report not showing camera retention.
Fixed editing scheduled report with device groups report source freezing toolbox.
Fixed clicking notification with file link not opening file explorer in toolbox.
Fixed live monitoring & milestone proxy logging.

5.21.0902

Released September 3, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0902
Client version : 5.21.0902

Updates

Scheduled report file name now includes managed site display name and report name.
Scheduled report removed column "Firmware"

Bug Fixes

Fixed scheduled report not display camera status, retention, and FPS.
Fixed scheduled report failing to save file when site name contains invalid characters.
Fixed recording server dropdown mappings.
Fixed memory usage when loading device groups.

5.21.0827

Released August 27, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0827
Client version : 5.21.0827

Updates

Added login authentication option "Windows Authentication (Current User)" (SSO).
- Managed site SSO support using authentication type "Boring Service Account".
Scheduled Maintenance
- Cancel active scheduled maintenance. Username and cancellation date will be displayed when cancelled item is selected.
- New column "Status" in scheduled maintenance grid with possible values of Active, Cancelled, and Inactive.
Global Overview
- Managed site now displayed maintenance count for recorders and cameras on the server.
- Notifications for recorders and cameras changing maintenance status now tracked in listing & exported with report.
- Global site report now includes maintenance status.
Schedule Report
- Report output excel file to any location on your disk.
- Snapshot are now saved to disk (%ProgramData%The Boring Lab/Reports/") instead of database table.
- Optimized database scheduled reports disk usage by up to 90%.
- Verify read/write permissions using "Test Folder Permissions" button. If this fails, check Identity permissions of "BoringLabService AppPool".
  - Note: Identity used for "BoringLabService AppPool" IIS AppPool must have read/write access to the location on disk specified for output folder.
Removed "BoringLabService" IIS Application.
Optimized loading of camera storage for large device count (4K+) on a single recording server.

Bug Fixes

Fixed license activation loading dialog does not close when failing to activate.
Fixed scheduled report start time localization formatting issue causing time to reset on edit.
Fixed live monitoring service not sending notification when camera providing video is restored.
Fixed managed site showing incorrect icons when site has parent.
Fixed application UI sometimes locking when loading dashboard live monitoring.

5.21.0712

Released July 13, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0712
Client version : 5.21.0712

Features

Smart Notifications
- Smart notifications can be enabled/disabled through the Managed Site configuration.
  - Disabled by default
- When enabled, Smart Notification will process all Live Monitoring notifications to determine the optimal amount of emails to send, the time between each notification, and when to mute notifications.
- Redesigned smart notification emails for Cameras and Recording Servers.
  - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers offline
  - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers offline since last notification email.
  - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers back online since last notification email.
  - Event Details
    - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers back online with offline duration
    - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers offline since last notification email.
    - Number of Cameras or Recording Servers still offline with offline since.

Updates

Managed Site email notifications "From Email Address" now editable through Managed Site configuration dialog in Boring Toolbox.
Managed Site email notifications "Send Test Email" will use the managed site BoringAPI to send emails.
My Settings
- Added configurable "Chart Type" when loading Boring Toolbox.
- Removed email & notifications settings.
Updated deleting Parent site to require each associated managed site to be deleted first.
Removed firmware templates from Auto Device Group.

Bug Fixes

Fixed session timeout for BoringAPI.
Fixed scheduled report including enabled cameras of disabled Hardware.
Fixed Boring Server Complete installer sometimes not starting Boring services or App Pool.

5.21.0602

Released June 02, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0602
Client version : 5.21.0609

Features

Scheduled Maintenance Mode
- Schedule Weekly or Monthly maintenance mode.
- Specify Start & End Date and Start & End Time with optional timezone.
- Choose one or more Recording Servers.
- Notification email addresses will receive Maintenance Started & Ended notifications.
- Live monitoring notifications will be not be sent while servers & cameras are in maintenance.
- Unlimited maintenance schedules can be created.
- Global overview managed site monitoring will exclude all servers & cameras in maintenance.
- Reports will show "Maintenance Mode" for servers & cameras in maintenance.
- Camera storage will not be retrieved for servers in maintenance.
Manual Maintenance Mode
- Specify one or more Servers & Cameras to set in maintenance mode through Hardware listing action menu.
- Manual maintenance updates will take effect immediately.
- Reports will show "Maintenance Mode" for Servers & Cameras in maintenance.
Critical Cameras
- Enable notifications for critical cameras only through Managed Sites configuration.
- Specify one or more Servers & Cameras to set as critical.
- Global overview managed site monitoring will reflect all Servers & Cameras.
- Reports will now include column 'Critical Enabled' to indicate if the camera is set as Critical.

Updates

Filter by status "Maintenance Mode" added in Hardware listing.
Live Monitoring Started email notification layout and design has been updated.
Optimized live search & filtering in hardware listing for large camera installations.
Optimized loading of the dashboard tiles & reload site.
Optimized dashboard live monitoring processing of server & camera status.
Added warning notification when session expires or management server is unreachable after login to the Boring Toolbox.
Removed IOT connector and related configuration.
Disable IP address resolution when generation HTTPS links.
Added better messaging when Boring Toolbox is unable to login due to version mismatch or installation issues.
Updated scheduled report time intervals from 30mins to 15mins.
Various UI & performance optimizations.

Bug Fixes

Fixed closing site tab sometimes throws unhandled exception.
Fixed managed site dialog tabbing order.
Fixed managed site 'Test Connection' not showing correct result.
Fixed dashboard live monitoring offline timer not restarting in some events.
Fixed boring server installer not stopping services during update that would sometimes cause a "Reboot required" message to appear.
Fixed camera report not populating 'Recorder Info' sheet.
Fixed camera report not populating 'Storage Configuration > Used Space' column for some recorders.
Fixed exception thrown when Boring Toolbox loads with invalid settings.
Fixed Send Test Email sending to licensee instead of To email address specified.
Fixed dashboard live monitoring showing camera's offline for Servers not online.
Fixed hardware listing camera live monitoring indicator not updating when Server goes offline.
Various minor bug fixes.

5.21.0322

Released March 23, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0322
Client version : 5.21.0322

Updates

Server
- Installer: Added configurable Boring database name with default of "BoringBase". We recommend using the default name for most installations.
  - Silent install argument: BORINGDATABASE_NAME_PROP="BoringBase"
  - WARNING - If you are upgrading an existing installation of Boring Toolbox Server make sure the Boring Database Name matches your existing installation.
- Installer: Added silent install option for configuring "DefaultFromAddress" email notifications from address.
  - Silent install argument: EMAIL_DEFAULT_FROM="alerts@theboringlab.com"
- Updated Boring database migration to support custom database name.
Client
- Managed Sites
  - Added filter managed sites by Status: Healthy & Services Offline.
  - Added filter managed sites by Site Name, Site Address, Site Username (used for milestone login).
  - Added toggle hide/show parent managed site panel view.
  - Implemented using server address of connected site tab for managed site when localhost is configured.
  - Optimized loading managed sites to prevent blocking of the UI while loading each managed site configuration after login & reload.
- Global Overview
  - Added Show All/Hide All managed site monitoring button to bulk show/hide monitoring on all managed sites.
  - Added filter managed sites by Site Name, Site Address, Site Username (used for milestone login).
  - Added remote desktop (RDP) link under Site Name of each site tile.
  - Added toggle hide/show notifications panel view.
  - Updated managed site live monitoring to always use BoringAPI for current health status.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Fixed camera snapshot populating when specified in scheduled reports options.
- Fixed camera storage not populating when specified in scheduled reports options.
Client
- Fixed camera storage sometimes not loading when opening additional tabs.
- Fixed multiple client login instances causing high memory consumption in "BoringLabService AppPool".
- Fixed IP address link in global overview > notifications throwing exception.
- Fixed navigation menu links hidden on lower resolutions.
- Fixed login authentication type dropdown grayed out when navigating to tab through global overview site tile.
- Fixed checking of services sometimes fails and does not recover.
- Fixed unable to add managed site.
- Fixed global overview managed site monitoring not showing threshold values.
- Fixed global overview managed site sort order when opening/closing managed site tab and reloading parent site.
- Fixed managed site sort order in managed sites view.
- Fixed global overview sites report including previously connected sites that are currently not showing monitoring information.

5.21.0309

Released March 10, 2021

Server version : 5.21.0309
Client version : 5.21.0309

Updates

Server
- Added "DataCollector" configuration option for edge storage and firmware services. This is enabled by default.
  - Setting Path
    - Boring Service Host > appsettings.json > "DataCollection"
- Added edge device SD card health and status data collector. This is enabled by default.
  - Setting Path
    - Boring Service Host > appsettings.json > "DataCollection" > "Jobs" > "EdgeStorage"
  - Supported Brands
    - Axis
    - Hanwha/Samsung
    - Bosch
- Added edge device firmware information data collector. This is enabled by default.
  - Setting Path
    - Boring Service Host > appsettings.json > "DataCollection" > "Jobs" > "DeviceInformation"
  - Supported Brands
    - Axis
    - Hanwha/Samsung
- Removed "StateChecks" configuration option from Boring Service Host settings.
- Various other security and performance optimizations.
Client
- Removed "Windows Authentication (Current User)" option from the login prompt.
- Added "Hide" button to hide live monitoring in the Global Overview site after clicking "Show Monitoring".
- Migrated Device Group bulk processing for the MilestoneSDK through the BoringAPI.
- Added check for Boring Live Monitoring Service status when "Show Monitoring" is activated.
- Added additional logging and error handling.
- Various other security and performance optimizations.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Fixed "Recording Server Offline Threshold" value not working in live monitoring service.
- Fixed recording server offline email notification not including the offline threshold value.
- Fixed and reduced logging of SQL & IIS connectivity errors.
- Various other minor bug fixes.
Client
- Fixed My Settings "Camera Not Providing Video" threshold saving issue.
- Fixed "Send Test Email" in Email Notifications sometimes locking the application if unable to send and reduced timeout.
- Fixed global overview managed site monitoring
- Fixed bulk rename dialog showing "NULL" when renaming device groups without parent group selected.
- Various other minor bug fixes.

5.21.0127

Server version : 5.20.1208
Client version : 5.21.0127

Bug Fixes

Fixed password sync sometimes resulting in (400) Bad Request.

5.20.1208

Server version : 5.20.1208
Client version : 5.20.1208

Updates

Server
- Updated Milestone SDK to 2020 R3.
- Removed max notification count exceeded notification email.
- Support for encrypted recording servers.
- FIPS compliant encryption (AES 256).
- Optimized memory allocation from client connections.
- Updated installed ODBC driver.
Client
- Updated Milestone SDK to 2020 R3
- Updated .NET Framework to 4.7.2
- 64bit windows client.
- Support for encrypted recording servers.
- Support for H265 live video encoding.
- Optimized device group bulk delete using new SDK feature.
- Hanwha & Samsung password complexity check
  - Minimum 8 characters
  - Maximum 15 characters (per Samsung)
  - It must include a combination of at least 3 of the following character types: alphabet letters with uppercase or lowercase, numbers, and special characters.
  - User name may not be used as password.
  - The following special characters can be used: ~`!@#$%^*()_-+=|{}[].?/
  - You may not use more than 4 consecutive characters. (example: 1234, abcd, etc.)
  - You may not use the same character 4 or more times consecutively. (example: !!!!, 1111, aaaa, etc.)
- License activation changed from per user to per machine.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Various other minor bug fixes and optimizations.
Client
- Various other minor bug fixes and optimizations.

5.20.1109

Server version : 5.20.1109
Client version : 5.20.1109

Updates

Server
- Boring Service Host added GenerateHttpsLinks configuration setting enabling download link for scheduled reports over HTTPS.
- Boring Service Host added CameraSnapshots configuration setting allow custom snapshot image dimensions and quality for scheduled reports with snapshots.
- Optimized scheduled reports background processing time.
- Optimized scheduled reports download requests.
- Reduced scheduled report report storage usage in SQL Server.
- Live Monitoring Service startup changed to "Automatic (Delayed)".
- Optimized memory usage.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Fixed Camera Online notification email not including ID.
- Fixed scheduled report error when processing reports with non-standard FPS values.
- Various other minor bug fixes and optimizations.
Client
- Fixed error report excel file column mapping.
- Fixed password sync supported devices endpoint.
- Fixed unhandled exception when reloading site.
- Various other minor bug fixes and optimizations.

5.20.1008

Server version : 5.20.1008
Client version : 5.20.1008

Updates

Server
- Added recording server offline threshold for live monitoring background service.
- Added incident ID for live monitoring background service camera & recording server online/offline notification emails.
- Optimized live monitoring background service processing of cameras & recording server online/offline events.
- Optimized scheduled report with snapshot image size.
- Optimized scheduled report background service processing.
- Optimized scheduled reports excel file downloading.
- Optimized BoringBase database disk usage.
- Installer added Service Account dialog.
Client
- Added Reboot support for Axis, Hanwha, and Samsung through Details View.
- Added Zoom In/Out & Autofocus for Axis and Hanwha through Details View.
- Added recording server offline threshold setting in managed site configuration dialog.
- Live Video Window
  - Pop out window for live video stream from Details View.
  - Switch between all configured video streams for camera.
  - PTZ available with supported cameras.
  - Save/Copy snapshot of live video.
  - Toggle between Live & Playback viewing.
  - Playback video recording.
  - Multiple windows and cameras supported.
- Added codec, frame rate, resolution, and streaming mode live video stream information in Details View.
- Updated recording server, hardware, and device tree node icons in Hardware view.
- Added Boring Live Monitoring service status in Boring Services view.
- Added Boring Service Host service status in Boring Services view.
- Added indicator on managed site tiles when background services are not running on the management server.
- Optimized memory & cpu resources used for live video tiles in details view.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Fixed live monitoring service sending duplicate camera online notifications.
- Fixed scheduled reports retention retrieval timeout.
- Fixed scheduled report processing timeout.
- Fixed scheduled report archive length (30 days).
- Fixed check for notifications enabled.
- Fixed installer prompting for reboot during upgrade or uninstall.
- Fixed installer setting permissions on BoringBase database.
Client
- Fixed scheduled report download timeout.
- Fixed navigation menu not updating between tabs when Managed Sites or Boring Services are selected.
- Fixed "From Email Address" not saving in My Settings.
- Fixed "Time Between Max Notifications" not saving on managed site dialog.
- Fixed login button not working when opening tab from global managed site and "Windows Auth (current user)" is selected.
- Fixed global managed site monitoring offline last check date.

5.20.0810

Server version : 5.20.0810
Client version : 5.20.0810

Updates

Server
- Updated logging levels for database exceptions
- Live Monitoring Service added additional information logging for online/offline state changes
- Boring Service Host added additional information logging for report processing and email notifications.
- BoringAPI added additional information logging, reduced exception logging details.
- Installer added support for Milestone database name other than Surveillance.
- New installer created for deployment package without backend installation requirements.
Client
- Added checking parent site connectivity with managed sites.
- Added checking parent site managed site configuration data is the same on each managed site.
- Adding new managed site will now by default have notifications toggled to True through the "Add Managed Site" dialog.

Bug Fixes

Server
- Fixed out of memory exception when some scheduled reports and live monitoring service.
- Fixed live monitoring service gracefully handling lost connection with event server.
- Fixed live monitoring service handling of flapping cameras.
- Fixed live monitoring service notifications.
Client
- Fixed login dialog showing duplicate server addresses.
- Fixed error when closing Parent site tab after connecting to managed site directly in another tab.
- Fixed error saving managed site without notifications enabled.
- Fixed deleting a managed site then re-adding while in current session causing error.

5.20.0728

Server version : 5.20.0718
Client version : 5.20.0728

Bug Fixes

Fixed saving & configuring parent site.
Fixed loading managed site license details.
Fixed editing managed site allocated license count not updated.
Fixed global overview loading managed site tiles.
Fixed global overview managed site count.
(Server) Fixed database permissions.

5.20.0718

Server version : 5.20.0718
Client version : 5.20.0718

Features

Scheduled Reports
- Schedule Daily, Weekly, or Monthly reports.
- Specify Start Date & Time and End date with optional timezone.
- Specify report recipient email address. Support for multiple email addresses using semicolon ';' separator.
- Choose report source from Recording Servers or Device Groups.
- Filter by Hardware Status, Device Status, Device Type, and Stream information.
- Include Camera Snapshot, Retention Time, Camera Storage, Recording Server Storage.
- List of 'Available Downloads' will allow you to download each completed report from Boring Toolbox.
Managed Sites (Multi Site Management)
- Set up parent site for live monitoring and reporting background services.
- Specify license allocation, Milestone login information, Email Notifications, & Live Monitoring settings.
- Set up managed sites for live monitoring and reporting background services through the parent site.
- Live Monitoring of all managed sites through Global Dashboard.
- Global Dashboard download sites report including managed sites.
- Global Dashboard download notifications report including managed sites.
IoT Connector (Beta)
- Currently only support for Halo Smart Sensor.
- Find IoT devices using IP Address scan using Boring IoT Driver framework.
- Choose recording server to associate each newly connected device.
- Mapping of device events to existing cameras.
- Choose device groups to add new device to (one or many).
- Boring Event Service handles all associated IoT device events and triggers custom User Defined Events for all mapped cameras.
- Configure IoT device based on Boring Driver, add new IoT device to recording server & configure properties in Milestone.
Boring Health
- Boring API Status (Online / Offline).
- Boring Event Service Status (Started / Not Started) with address and port information.
- Managed Site Configuration (Site Configure / Not Configured).
- Scheduled Reporting Status (Available / Not Available).
BoringBase Database

Bug Fixes

Fixed Login working due to unhandled exception.
Fixed Login loading progress not updating when site contains only 1 recording sever.
Fixed Camera Storage would sometimes not load in 2nd tab session.
Fixed Password update notification count value incorrect.
Fixed Live Monitoring not working on setting 'MinConcurrentEmailNotifications' update.
Fixed Live Monitoring setting 'IncludeInterconnect' to 'false' resulting in error.
Fixed Live Monitoring health check timer not getting started after refresh.
Fixed Hardware 'Select All' showing incorrect count value.
Fixed Hardware tree not retaining node expansion state after clearing filters.
Fixed Providing/Not Video status filter in hardware incorrect when offline count is 0.
Fixed Device Groups auto groups 'Select All' not selecting actual available groups.
Fixed Device Groups auto groups selecting parent node not updating child nodes.
Fixed Device Groups auto groups saving not correctly saving only selected groups.
Fixed Device Groups auto groups Save progress hangs when cameras exist in parent node.
Fixed Device Groups not refreshing after auto groups saved.
Fixed About 'Check License Status' requiring internet access for offline license.
Fixed Global Dashboard duplicate notifications in report.
Fixed Result error report missing columns.
Fixed Max Notification email not populating some fields.
Fixed Interconnected devices not properly filtered when setting is set to 'false'.
Fixed tab data/connection clean up after close.
Fixed reload site not updating camera storage, chart, and live monitoring.
Fixed not checking for error result after deleting hardware and updating https status.

4.20.0221

Service version : 3.19.1024
Client version : 4.20.0221

Bug Fixes

Fixed Rename issue when in application tabs have not completed initialization
Fixed Rename not updating tree nodes after saving.
Fixed HTTPS icon not updating after change.
Fixed notification formatting and message for HTTPS updates.

4.20.0213

Service version : 3.19.1024
Client version : 4.20.0213

Features

Camera Report tab
- Added ability to select from or report on all device types, not only cameras
- Rearranged columns in camera report sheet (grouped similar columns)
- Added two column for Configured retention days and retention difference
- Renamed Retention Time to Actual Retention
- Renamed camera report to device report
Recorder Info Report
- Renamed Recorder Storage tab to Recorder Info
- Added column for
  - Hostname
  - Web Address
  - Time Zone
Added Storage Configuration Tab
- Storage group
- Storage name
- Retention time in days
- Path
- Storage Type
- Is Default
- Used, Free Max in GB

Bug Fixes

Fixed camera providing/not providing video filter not populating after site reload
Fixed camera storage not populating in report and details after site reload
Fixed handling of device when driver is missing or corrupt in Milestone
Applications Settings Dialog
- Fixed "Send Test Email" notification
- Fixed saving of "Advanced SMTP" settings
- Renamed "Custom SMTP" settings to "Advanced SMTP" settings.

4.20.0203

Service version : 3.19.1024
Client version : 4.20.0203

Features

Multi-Site Management through a new tabbed interface

A new tab connection for each site you would like to manage
Connect to the same site multiple times (limited to the same authenticated user)
Closing of tab disconnects from site
Save previously connected to site information for quick re-connection

Global Overview tab

Real-time monitoring of all cameras and recording servers online/offline across all connected sites
Real-time monitoring will continue working in the global overview even if local dashboard is turned off
Global site stats for number of cameras not providing video, recording servers and sites offline
Notification manager shows cameras providing video or not, recording servers online/offline and site connectivity events
On connection, camera not providing video notifications are grouped to reduce clutter

Global Reporting

Global site health report in Excel with cameras providing video or not and recording servers online/offline across all connected sites
Notification report in Excel with notification details (site name, IP address, etc) of camera, recording server, or site events from notification manager

New dialog for managing live monitoring and email notifications settings

Update “Cameras Not Providing Video” threshold value
Toggle Email Notifications on/off
Configure custom email To/From addresses
Configure custom SMTP server (default is Boring SMTP)
Send test email to verifying settings are correct
Stored in editable json file along with other settings (C:\ProgramData\The Boring Lab\Boring Toolbox\Config\{username}\settings.json)

Added a button to “Check License Status” in the About dialog to pull the latest license status and details. Deactivate/Reactivate is no longer necessary when the license is changed.
Redesigned login dialog with the ability to update application settings and license information details prior to connecting. Application version is now always visible.
“Reload” buttons in each view now replaced by universal “Reload Site” in the left navigation. This reloads information from all views of the application, including licenses used.
Site information in the bottom left navigation in each tab has been extended and now includes the number of licenses used by each tab.
- License details will display red when the site connected to has not loaded all available hardware due to license limitations.

Updates

Camera Report

Added “Site Name” column
Added “Status” column for camera status of providing video & not providing video
Normalized “Camera Storage” and other storage columns to GB format

Login now includes “Cancel Login” button available after clicking connect to cancel the connection and return to login
Relocated Boring Toolbox configuration file to (C:\ProgramData\The Boring Lab\Boring Toolbox\Config\{username}\settings.json)

Manually update settings without administrative rights
Setting changes require application restart

Optimized live monitoring event handling
Optimized loading camera storage when large number of recording servers are not reachable or down
Optimized dashboard initial rendering for larger sets of data.
Application is now dock-able in Windows

Bug Fixes

Fixed live monitoring initializing lag on first load
Fixed live monitoring not connecting after losing connection to a site for an extended amount of time
Fixed Server Not Responding desktop notification title
Fixed device groups “Add Members Dialog” showing empty tree nodes
Fixed desktop notification flickering when multiple notifications occur at the same time.
Fixed license deactivation error when license server is not reachable.
Fixed offline license activation issue
Fixed about dialog license information support dates

3.19.1024

Service version : 3.19.1024
Client version : 3.19.1024

Features

Email notifications for "Camera Not Providing Video" can be grouped with 1 or more cameras using "MinConcurrentEmailNotifications" setting. Default is 1.
Extended device support for bulk management of stream settings (Codec/FPS/Resolution/Streaming Mode).
Storage Health filtering now includes "Other" storage types for storage that are not Live or Archive.
Storage Health default storage analysis on login can be configured using "StorageHealthDefaultStorageType" setting. Default is "All" (Live, Archive, and Other).
Support for indefinite login sessions allowing for 24/7 monitoring and notifications through Boring Toolbox.

Updates

Added camera "Model" column in password manager grid.
Added camera "Brand" column in camera export.
Added camera "Model" in Detail View at Hardware & Device level.
Added support for Milestone "Enabled" & "Disabled" events for live monitoring cameras providing video.

Bug Fixes

Fixed Sony video stream 2 resolution value not populating in camera report.
Fixed max notifications email not sending when MaxConcurrentEmailNotifications is reached.
Fixed Bosch password sync.
Fixed storage health below threshold not populating on refresh.
Fixed loading indicators not appearing when reloading dashboard.
Fixed application does not minimize when clicking from the taskbar.
Fixed storage health failing when disk size is 0.
Fixed storage health above and below threshold count not reflecting only servers with supported storage type.
Fixed device groups auto grouping with template "Camera Model" creating duplicate folder names due to trailing & leading white space in the name.
Fixed device groups auto grouping not working when no groups exist under root.

3.19.0923

Service version : 3.19.0902
Client version : 3.19.0923

Features

Email notifications for "Recorders Stopped" (Disabled by default).
- See how to Enable
- See how to send emails through a custom SMTP server
Desktop notifications for "Recorders Stopped"

Updates

Camera retention report can be generated without snapshots.
Camera retention timeout configurable through "ReportSnapshotTimeoutSeconds"
Detailed messages for missing or unavailable camera retention information.
Camera storage report will show "unable to connect" instead of "0b" when storage is unavailable or missing.
Additional support for lower resolution & portrait displays .
Checking for internet connection when activating license.

Bug Fixes

Fixed camera retention not populating when snapshot is unavailable.
Fixed license validation failing when internet connection is unavailable.
Fixed camera brand mapping.
Fixed cameras showing up in "not providing video" when their recording server is offline.
Fixed password sync indicator not showing up for some supported brand models.

3.19.0910

Service version : 3.19.0902
Client version : 3.19.0910

Updates

Added filter by camera brand in password management view.
Optimized live monitoring loading for larger systems.

Bug Fixes

Fixed password management cell copy bug.
Added exception handling.

3.19.0905

Service version : 3.19.0902
Client version : 3.19.0905

Updates

Added camera retention time and period (begin & end dates).
Added filter by device status (Any, Syncable, Not Syncable)

3.19.0903

Service version : 3.19.0902
Client version : 3.19.0903

Features

Email notifications for "Camera Not Responding" (Disabled by default).
- See how to Enable
- See how to send emails through a custom SMTP server
Lock screen will appear after session expires.
- User must log in to continue or exit application.

Updates

General

(Service) Added handling of "DeviceType" setting for Arecont cameras.
Updated installer certificate

Dashboard

Disable dashboard loading using application settings. More information
Change default storage health threshold on login. More information
Change default camera storage disk usage value on login with application setting "CameraStorageDefaultTopCount"
Change Live Monitoring "Camera Not Providing Video" threshold. More information
Camera storage sort by ascending or descending order.
Camera storage filter by enabled only cameras.

Camera Report

Added "Firmeware Version" column to camera report.
Change camera report live snapshot wait timeout. More information

Password Management

Added "Sync Available" indicator in the grid.
Filter grid by cameras with sync available
Added validation rules for Arecont 2115
- Minimum 4 characters
- Maximum 8 characters
- Alphanumeric lowercase characters only

Bug Fixes

Fixed password manager custom filter locking issues.
Fixed hardware listing selection count wrong when clearing filters.
Fixed hardware listing selected items not matching filtered view.
Fixed camera not responding desktop notifications getting triggered.
Fixed loading indicators not being displayed in dashboard.

3.19.0813

Service version : 3.19.0804
Client version : 3.19.0813

Updates

Added ReportSnapshotTimeoutSeconds configuration setting for time to wait for camera snapshot to be retrieved. Default of 5 seconds.
Changed log file path to "\ProgramData\The Boring Lab\Boring Toolbox\Logs\User\"
Updated installer certificate

Bug Fixes

Fixed application log write & update permission issues.
Fixed camera report reset not clearing all fields.
Fixed exception thrown when saving snapshot image on some versions of windows.

3.19.0804

Service version : 3.19.0804
Client version : 3.19.0729

Bug Fixes

Fixes camera storage not being retrieved from recording server that do not allow ping request

3.19.0729

Service version : 3.19.0729
Client version : 3.19.0729

Features

Dashboard

Implemented Camera Storage filter by Recording Server
Implemented Storage Health filter by Live or Archive disk
Implemented Resize chart container height by dragging horizontal separator

Device Groups

Implemented select all children of device group excluding parent group through context menu
Implemented auto device groups creation to default groups "[Boring Auto Groups]"
Implemented ability to nest auto device groups within any existing group at any level.
Implemented Select/Expand all & none in auto device group listing.

Hardware Listing

Implemented filtering by device status
- Enabled
- Disabled
- Providing Video
- Not Providing Video
Implemented filtering by device type
- Cameras
- Audio Input
- Audio Output
- Input
- Metadata
- Output
Implemented filter chaining for combining each filter criteria

Updates

Optimized Camera Storage loading for large number of recording servers
Optimized expand & select all nodes for large systems
Optimized filtering by custom text for large systems

Bug Fixes

Fixed Live Monitoring throwing exception when updating values.
Fixed issues when managing device groups through context menu.
Fixed delete device groups progress not updating
Fixed saving device groups progress not updating
Fixed delete device groups & members failing in certain scenarios
Fixed bug with updating IP Address not checking HTTPS status properly.
Fixed select issues when filter has been applied.
Fixed report column header sizing issues

3.19.0630

Service version : 3.19.0625
Client version : 3.19.0630

Bug Fixes

Fixed refreshing issue in Device Groups listing
Fixed adding new device groups in other groups
Fixed adding device group members using context menu
Fixed deleting device group via context menu
Fixed Live Monitoring inconsistent values
Fixed Live Monitoring uncaught exception
Fixed sorting issues
Fixed camera not in view for specific actions

3.19.0625

Service version : 3.19.0625
Client version : 3.19.0625

Features

Dashboards, including charts and tiles
Recording server, hardware and device details
Default hidden passwords on Password Manager
New storage reports for individual cameras and recording servers
Right click context menu on devices, hardware and passwords

Updates

Optimized Boring API data retrieval and memory usage
Optimized initial application load

Bug Fixes

Fixed hardware listing incorrect node selection when collection is filtered
Fixed camera report clearing selected device groups
Fixed issue with advanced device grouping not clearing previewed selections
Fixed selected item count not displaying in hardware listing
Fixed Axis password sync failing with special characters
Fixed support for web response header protocols on older devices
Fixed device settings bug when applying update for cameras that are not supported
Fixed camera report error when generating excel output

3.19.0409

Service version : 3.19.0421
Client version : 3.19.0409

Features

Created new installer for Boring Service
Created new BoringLabService IIS Application Pool
Removed dependencies on VideoOS Management Server AppPool
Added code signing certificate to the installer

Updates

Updated .NET dependencies from 4.6.1 to 4.5.1 to support older systems
Updated EULA

Bug Fixes

Fixes an issue where the Boring Service blocks the upgrade of Milestone to a newer version

3.19.0409

Service version : 3.19.0409
Client version : 3.19.0409

Features

Added bulk updating IP Address by user defined start and end address range
Added bulk importing IP Address updates using Excel file
Added camera report by one or many device groups.
Added camera report by one ore many recording servers
Added special characters option for auto generated passwords.
Added password sync for Sony cameras
Added password sync for Hanwha cameras
Added password sync for Bosch cameras
Implemented Bosch password validation
- Min 8 characters
- Max 32 characters
- At least 1 number
- At least 1 special character !? "#$%(){}[]*+-=.,;^_|~\
- Upper and lower case
- User name and password must differ
Implemented general password validation not allowing same password to be used
Improved performance when loading "Add Members" & "Advanced Device Groups" dialog
Improved performance of loading hardware listing tree for large systems
Improved performance of loading device groups tree for large system
Improved general application performance
Updated camera report file save dialog allowing user to change file name
Updated grid fonts for improved readability

Bug Fix

Fixed bug related to hardware caching
Fixed hardware menu options ordering when toggling between recording servers, hardware, and devices
Fixed password update allowing same password to be used
Fixed various minor bugs

3.19.0325

Service version : 3.19.0325
Client version : 3.19.0325

Features

Reduced loading times of the application by 85% on systems larger than 5000 cameras
- ie: For 10,000 cameras 46 sec vs 5 min 20 sec (v3 vs v2)
Optimized UI Components for large data sets, 4000+ Device Groups, 100,000+ Devices Some include:
- Provides seamless selection of large number of cameras
- Faster, smoother searching throughout
- Smoother transitions after saving
- Instant loading of password manager
Optimized generating camera report by approximately 60%
- Benchmark: 52 sec for 865 cameras with snapshots and credentials
Optimized Hardware, Device Groups, and Password Management filtering by up to 75%
Updated login loading progress when application starts
Updated application dashboard with ‘Enabled Hardware’ & ‘Disabled Hardware’
Updated ‘Add Group Members’ dialog with drill down filtering by search string, recording server, and device status.
Added non-blocking notifications after operations complete
Added clickable camera report link to open the file with the default associated application (if available)

Bug Fix

Fixed bug with template ‘[Camera Model] + [Product Id] + [Firmware Version]’ in Advanced Group Management
Fixed flickering issues for reloading, filtering, and updates.
Fixed various minor bugs

2.19.0129

Service version : 2.19.0121
Client version : 2.19.0129

Features

Added additional device support for settings including custom resolution for applicable devices
Support for Arecont password sync
Added support for copying values from password management including hidden passwords

Bug Fix

Settings min/max/default bug fix
Various minor bug fixes plus improvements

2.19.0109

Service version : 2.19.0114
Client version : 2.19.0109

Features

You can now search devices, hardware and password wizard by IP address. This is an exact match so you must enter the IP in full.
You can now search by MAC address. This is an exact search with the format of XXXXXXXXXXXX

Bug Fix

Minor bug fixes and improvements

2.19.0105

Service version : 2.18.1027
Client version : 2.19.0105

Features

Improved support for HTTPS for Axis password sync

Bug Fix

Minor bug fixes and improvements

2.19.0101

Service version : 2.18.1027
Client version : 2.19.0101

Bug Fix

Fixed the issue where a rename of hardware and devices would not propagate through the app leading to settings and device groups not working properly
Fixed the issue where an extra blank space is added while adding text during rename

2.18.1029

Service version : 2.18.1027
Client version : 2.18.1029

Feature

Added the ability to perform offline activation of The Boring Client

2.18.1028

Service version : 2.18.1027
Client version : 2.18.1028

Bug Fixes

Fixed password manager being blank due to server object being NULL

2.18.1027

Service version : 2.18.1027
Client version : 2.18.1027

Bug Fixes

Increased time out on service when collecting system information to 10 minutes

2.18.1026

Service version : 2.18.1026
Client version : 2.18.1026

Bug Fixes

Increased time out on client to 10 minutes

2.18.1025 - Our first GA release!

Service version : 2.18.1025
Client version : 2.18.1025

Features:

Device Groups

Create new device groups
Rename device groups
Delete device groups in bulk
Add members to device groups in bulk and with search
Remove members from device groups in bulk
Create auto device groups based on templates
Real time search

Hardware

Enable and disable hardware in bulk
Enable and disable device in bulk
Rename hardware in bulk
Rename devices in bulk
Delete hardware in bulk
Statistics on number of hardware and devices selected
Real time search

Hardware > Settings

Allows for the update of camera device settings in bulk regardless of the camera hardware or driver used
Currently supports Codec, Frame Rate, Resolution and streaming mode

Password Manager

Toggle visibility of hardware passwords
Bulk change passwords in Milestone XProtect based on a single password or a randomly generated password
Bulk sync camera passwords in Milestone XProtect and Axis physical devices

Camera Report

Filter by recording server
Filter by hardware status
Filter by device status
Filter by date modified
Include usernames and passwords for each hardware
Include point in time snapshots of the cameras view into the Excel spreadsheet
Include stream information and filter by specific stream details

Articles in this section

5.24.0813

Released August 13, 2024

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.24.0625

Released June 25, 2024

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.24.0520

Released May 20, 2024

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.24.0129

Released January 29, 2024

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.23.0905

Released September 5, 2023

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.23.0525

Released May 25, 2023

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.23.0420

Released April 20, 2023

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.23.0202

Released February 2, 2023

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.1213

Released December 13, 2022

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.1024

Released October 24, 2022

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.0720

Released July 20, 2022

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.0614

Released June 14, 2022

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.0406

Released April 6, 2022

Features

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.22.0301

Released March 1, 2022

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.21.1221

Released December 21, 2021

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.21.0914

Released September 14, 2021

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.21.0902

Released September 3, 2021

Updates

Bug Fixes

5.21.0827