GC SurgeDocsAdd a device
3 min read

Add a device

GC Surge supports four ways to add a camera or device, depending on your camera type, network setup, and how many devices you are adding at once. Choose the method that matches your situation.

MethodBest forAuto-configures the camera?
Guided SetupFirst-time setup or when you are unsure which mode applies.Yes — for supported brands (Axis, Dahua, HikVision, NxWitness).
Add manuallyAdding one camera at a time with full control over each field.Partial — auto-detects Private/VPN from the IP.
Import from spreadsheetAdding 10 or more cameras at once.Partial — validates before import; Private/VPN bulk config available.
Universal camera supportAny camera that pushes alarms via REST API, SMTP, or FTP — regardless of brand.No — you copy credentials into the camera manually.

1. Guided Setup YellowRECOMMENDED

Guided Setup asks a short set of questions and routes you to the correct configuration automatically. Use this for first-time onboarding or when you are unsure which mode applies.

  1. Open Configuration from the left sidebar.
  2. Click Add sites & cameras (top right) → Guided setup.
  3. Select what you want to do: Add a new site, Add a camera to an existing site, or Add multiple new sites and cameras.
  4. Select your camera type: A brand from our list, My camera can send alarms, or Use GC Edge.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps. GC Surge configures the camera and confirms when alarms are flowing.

For the full step-by-step per network mode (Public IP, Private/VPN, Edge), see .

2. Add manually

Fill in the camera’s connection details directly — no guided questions. One camera at a time.

  1. Open Configuration → click Add sites & cameras → Add sites manually.
  2. Enter the Site name (type a new name to create a site, or pick an existing one).
  3. Fill in camera details: Camera IP, Camera brand, HTTPS port, HTTPS toggle, Username, Password.
  4. If the IP is private (e.g. 192.168.x.x), GC Surge detects it automatically and shows the WHO WILL INSTALL THE LOCAL AGENT? section. Choose I’m at the site or Delegate installation.
  5. Click Add Site.

For field-by-field details and GC Edge toggle instructions, see .

3. Import from spreadsheet

Add many cameras at once using an Excel template. GC Surge validates the sheet before creating any site.

  1. Open Configuration → click Add sites & cameras → Import from spreadsheet.
  2. Click Download Current As Template to get the correct column layout.
  3. Fill in your cameras (site name, camera IP, brand, port, credentials, contact) and save the file.
  4. Upload the completed sheet (.xlsx or .xls).
  5. GC Surge validates the sheet and shows exactly what needs fixing before any site is created.
  6. Confirm and submit. Monitor progress on the IMPORT STATUS tab.

For the full column reference and bulk Private/VPN configuration, see .

4. Universal camera support

Use this when your camera is not on the supported brand list but can push alarms on its own via REST API, Email (SMTP), or FTP. You pick the method your camera supports and copy the generated credentials into it.

  1. Open Configuration → click ADD → Universal camera support.
  2. Enter a Device name, select the site, and choose the alarm method your camera supports: REST API, Email (SMTP), or FTP.
  3. GC Surge generates the connection credentials. Copy each value exactly into your camera’s alarm-forwarding settings.
  4. Optionally add a forward rule, then click Add Device → Done.

For credentials per method and manual fallback steps, see .

Verify the device is working

After adding a camera by any method, confirm the following before marking it operational:

  1. In Configuration, confirm the camera appears under the correct site and the device count has incremented.
  2. In Video Search, confirm events from the new camera are appearing. This verifies the full alarm pipeline.
  3. In the Home Dashboard, confirm KPI metrics reflect activity from the new site.
  4. Do not mark the device as operational until the site status shows Active.
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