Axis OS, the operating system software in Axis IP cameras is the brain of these clever devices. Also referred to as firmware, Axis OS is a sophisticated system software built around openness, transparency and cybersecurity, used to power many different Axis hardware devices such as cameras, speakers, intercoms, body-worn cameras, radars and recording servers.
The Axis OS version is just as important as the device itself in understanding the capabilities and features of the product. But be aware, there are two different Axis OS support tracks:
1) Active track
2) Long Term Support track (LTS track)
What is the Active track?
The Active track is the most up-to-date and feature progressive track of Axis OS, focusing on software development, usability and new, innovative features. All new Axis products launch on the latest Active track, meaning immediate access to state-of-the-art features and functionalities, such as new and improved video analytics, security updates and bug fixes.
New features and important cybersecurity updates such as vulnerability patches are consistently added every 2 months. A new Active track is developed every 2 years, when technical evolutionary changes or ground-breaking innovations are being implemented between versions.
Understanding the Long Terms Support (LTS) track
When a new Active track becomes available, you can choose for your Axis device OS to be updated to the new Active track or move the OS to the LTS track. With the LTS track, no new features or functionality are added to the device, as the focus of the LTS track is on maximising device stability. The purpose of the LTS track is to provide bug fixes and cybersecurity updates to maintain long term reliability and stability.
The LTS track is of particularly good use if your Axis camera is integrated with third party software and devices, so that stability of the integrated system can be warranted.
A new LTS track is created every 2 years and maintained for 5 years. The final track of products is the LTS, and discontinued products will receive support until the LTS support ends.
What is the longevity of the Active and Long Term Support tracks?
Axis provides the OS support end date for every Axis IP device on the Axis Communications website. It is easy to find if you do a search for your product’s software OS end date, e.g. search for ‘M3085-V software OS end date’.
For example, the diagram below shows the Axis Q1656-LE box camera with OS support until 31/12/2033. It can support four Active track upgrades (shown by the yellow bars) during its lifecycle from the point of product launch in 2021, with a new version released every two years. It will receive new feature updates until support for the Active track ends in 2028. From then, you can move it to the LTS track (shown by the blue bars) receiving bug fixes and cybersecurity updates to maintain stability and reliability until the OS support ends in 2033. The overall length of Axis OS support is 12 years in this example.
What are the benefits of the Axis OS strategy?
With Axis following a dual-track OS software strategy, Axis can continue to focus on innovation, developing new features and functionality for their products on the Active track. Whilst at the same time the Long Term Support (LTS) track ensures that endpoint software receives ongoing support with no disruption to the device or customer’s wider systems.
It also gives Axis users the opportunity to choose what’s best suited to their needs, take benefit of the latest innovations becoming available on Axis products they’ve already bought, or choose for optimum system stability. The latter being suitable to critical security system or more complex integrations.
The Axis OS two track strategy is one of those mature aspects within the Axis technology ecosystem that sets Axis apart from others in the security marketplace. The strategy provides a good balance between innovative progress and system stability. Customers can rely on consistent, reliable performance and long-term compatibility, while benefiting from the latest advancements that Axis continues to bring to the market. This blend of long-term reliability, hardened cybersecurity and continued progress positions Axis as our recommended choice for security systems, meeting the diverse requirements of the complex business environment of today.
If you have any questions about Axis OS, please get in touch to speak to one of our Axis Communications experts.
