GC SurgeDocsSite Key Distribution and Field Activation
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Site Key Distribution and Field Activation

This page covers field activation for Mode 2 (Private/VPN) and Mode 3 (Edge) sites, where an on-site agent uses the Site Key to activate cameras. Mode 1 (Public IP) cameras are configured directly by the cloud with no on-site agent, so they do not need the Site Key for activation — although a key is still generated for every site. Covers: What Site Key Distribution Does, How It Connects Back to the Cloud, Format and Security.

What Site Key Distribution Does

A Site Key is the secure credential that connects a physical site’s cameras to the GC Surge cloud. When a site is created in Configuration, a Site Key is generated automatically. Distributing that key to the onsite contact is the step that triggers field activation — without it, cameras cannot be configured and the site cannot go live.

The onsite contact completes activation with the GDA app (Android only). This page covers the GDA app path; for the local agent option, see Setting Up Sites.

This process bridges cloud-side administration and physical camera setup. Getting it right determines whether a site goes live on schedule.

How It Connects Back to the Cloud

During activation, the Site Key binds the local discovery session to the site record already created in GC Surge. That is what allows cameras discovered in the field to land in the correct tenant and the correct site without manual remapping after the fact.

Format and Security

The GCSK- prefix identifies the string as a Site Key. The Key is unique per site and serves as the authentication token for that site’s activation.

  • Treat the Site Key as a one-site activation secret.
  • Share it only with the technician or partner responsible for activation.
  • If it was sent to the wrong person, update the contact in the Sites table and resend it to the correct contact.
  • Once a site is active, the Site Key can be rotated freely — it only matters during the one-time activation handshake, so rotating it afterwards has no operational impact.

Delivery Channels

  • WhatsApp deep link (recommended) — The Site Key is embedded in a deep link that opens directly in the GDA app on the onsite contact's Android device. The key is pre-filled automatically — no manual typing required. This is the fastest and most error-free delivery method.
  • Email — The Site Key is sent as plain text. The onsite contact must copy it manually into the GDA app. This works but is more error-prone — one character error in the key prevents activation.
  • QR code — The Send Site Key modal displays a QR code. When the onsite contact scans it, the GDA app opens automatically and the device is registered — no manual key entry required. This works well for in-person handoffs or when the onsite contact does not have WhatsApp.

How to Send a Site Key

  1. Open Configuration from the sidebar.
  2. Locate the target site in the Added Sites table.
  3. Click the ⋯ Actions menu for that site and select Send site key. Alternatively, select the site to open the detail panel and click the Send Site Key button at the top right of the panel.
  4. The Surge Onboarding – Mobile App – site key modal opens, displaying the Site Key in full and a QR code. The contact email and phone number are shown for confirmation.
  5. Choose your delivery method: click Resend WhatsApp or Resend email. If the onsite contact is present, they can scan the QR code directly from the screen.
  6. Confirm the onsite contact has received the key before proceeding to field activation.
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Field Activation (Overview)

Once the onsite contact has the Site Key, they activate the cameras on-site: on the same local network as the cameras, they open the activation tool, enter the Site Key, let it discover the ONVIF cameras, and confirm — the cameras then show as configured and the tool can be removed.

For the full activation procedure — prerequisites, network requirements, ONVIF setup per camera brand, what gets configured on each camera, and pipeline verification — see GDA App – Field Activation.

Large Deployment Guidance

  • Log every dispatch — record site name, Site Key sent date, delivery method, recipient name, and confirmation date.
  • Confirm receipt before moving to the next site — a key that was sent but not received delays activation by days.
  • Set an activation deadline — sites that have received their key but not activated within 48 hours need a follow-up.
  • Pre-test the delivery method — test WhatsApp, email, and QR internally before using them with external onsite contacts.
  • Assign one dispatch owner — divided ownership leads to duplicated sends, missed confirmations, and delays.

If a Site Key Reaches the Wrong Contact

If a Site Key was sent to the wrong person, re-send it to the correct contact directly from the Send Site Key modal — you do not need to edit the site first:

  1. In Configuration, open the site and click Send Site Key (from the Actions (⋯) menu, or the Send Site Key button in the detail panel).
  2. In the Surge Onboarding modal, enter the correct Phone and/or Email in the optional fields.
  3. Click Resend WhatsApp or Resend email to send the key to the corrected contact.

A Site Key has no effect on cameras that are already active — it is only used during the one-time activation handshake, so once a site is active the key plays no further operational role.

Troubleshooting

  • Key not received via WhatsApp — the GDA app was not installed when the link was opened. Have the onsite contact install the app first, then re-open the link.
  • Deep link does not pre-fill the app — link format issue or app version mismatch. Use email delivery and manual entry as fallback.
  • Key rejected by the app — typo during manual entry. Resend via QR or WhatsApp to eliminate manual entry errors.
  • Cameras not reaching configured status — cameras are not on the same network as the GDA device, or WS-Discovery is blocked. Confirm network connectivity and check for VLAN isolation between cameras and the GDA device.
  • Camera not discovered during activation — ONVIF not enabled, camera on a different subnet, or unsupported model. Enable ONVIF on the camera via its web interface and verify subnet matching.
  • Key sent to the wrong contact — open Send Site Key, enter the correct phone or email in the modal’s optional fields, and click Resend. See “If a Site Key Reaches the Wrong Contact” above.
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