ONVIF Protocol
Source：Shenzhen Kai Mo Rui Electronic Technology Co. LTD2026-06-30
I. Overview of ONVIF
- The ONVIF specification defines the network video model, interfaces, data types and data interaction modes, and reuses existing standards such as the WS series specifications.The goal of the ONVIF specification is to build a framework protocol for network video, realizing full interworking among network video products (including camera front-ends, recording devices, etc.) manufactured by different vendors.
- All interfaces defined for device management and control in the ONVIF specification are provided in the form of Web Services.The ONVIF specification contains complete definitions of XML and WSDL. Every terminal device compliant with ONVIF must provide Web Services corresponding to its own functions. Data interaction between server side and client side adopts the SOAP protocol. Audio and video streams and other data in ONVIF are transmitted via RTP/RTSP.
- ONVIF ProfilesONVIF Profiles facilitate mutual compatibility between ONVIF-compliant devices and clients. An ONVIF Profile requires both client and device to support a designated set of functions, ensuring interoperability between Profile S-capable clients and devices. Certain specific functions can only work normally when supported by both parties simultaneously. The ONVIF network interface specification defines basic and extended functions covered by each ONVIF Profile document.
A client or device can support multiple ONVIF Profiles at the same time. For example, a network camera with local storage can comply with both Profile S and Profile G.Compliance with specified Profiles is the premise to achieve overall ONVIF conformance. Therefore, only certified products that meet relevant Profile requirements are recognized as ONVIF-compliant products.
Profile Description Table
表格
| Profile | Detailed Description |
|---|---|
| Profile A | Applied to electronic access control systems for advanced access control configuration.The device supports information retrieval (status, events) and configuration of entities such as access rules, credentials, schedules, etc.Clients can invoke the above functions on Profile A devices remotely over the network. |
| Profile C | Designed for electronic access control systems for physical door access configuration.Compliant devices and clients are applicable to scenarios including site information management, door access control, event & alarm management. |
| Profile D | Developed specially for access control peripheral interfaces.It aims to realize interoperability under the ONVIF standard for peripheral equipment, including locks, biometric identifiers, PIN keypads, license plate recognition cameras, door intercom phones, sensors, displays and more.It supplements functions of previously released Profile A and Profile C, and realizes standardized communication inside IP-based electronic access control systems. |
| Profile Q | Standardizes device discovery and basic configuration for simplified installation and advanced security applications.Devices such as network cameras, network switches and network monitors can be rapidly discovered, configured and controlled by Profile Q clients via network.This specification supports TLS communication. |
| Profile G | Designed for IP-based video systems, focusing on video recording and storage.The device can store video recording files; Profile G clients can configure, request and control recording data on Profile G devices over the network.It also includes specifications for receiving audio and metadata streams. |
| Profile T | Developed for IP-based video systems.Devices support H.264 & H.265 encoding, image parameter settings, and alarm events such as motion detection and tampering detection.Mandatory requirements for devices: on-screen display and metadata streaming.Mandatory requirements for clients: PTZ control.It also specifies rules for HTTPS streaming, PTZ configuration, motion region configuration, digital inputs & relay outputs, and two-way audio for compliant devices and clients.Note: The official announcement clarifies that Profile T is not a replacement for Profile S, but an extension oriented to different application fields; the two standards can also be used in combination. |
| Profile S | Mainly designed for IP-based video systems.Devices (such as IP cameras, video encoders) are generally used to transmit video streams to Profile S clients (such as IVMS platforms).Clients are able to configure, request and control video streams from Profile S devices over the network. |
ONVIF Official Portal: Home - ONVIF Mandarin
System development needs to be programmed around Profiles, since each device must implement at least one Profile. Each Profile contains a group of required functions classified by Requirement Levels, which are defined in each Profile Specification document:
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