> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pads4.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Milestone XProtect

This guide explains how to integrate **Milestone XProtect** with **PADS4** to retrieve alarms. PADS4 reads data directly from the **Milestone SQL Server database**, allowing **real-time push notifications** for optimized performance.

For more details on Milestone XProtect, visit: [www.milestonesys.com](https://www.milestonesys.com).

***

## **Step 1: Create Alarms in Milestone XProtect**

To enable PADS4 to retrieve alarms:

1. **Open XProtect Management Client**.
2. Navigate to the **Alarms** category.
3. **Create one or more Alarm definitions**.
4. **Specify the trigger** that will raise the alarm (e.g., tripwire detection, temperature alert).
5. Ensure the **Alarm Definition name** matches the name used in **PADS4 CTRL Center** under **Sensors** to trigger incidents.

For details on creating incidents, refer to the **How to Use Sensors** section.

***

## **Step 2: Configure SQL Server to Allow PADS4 Access**

PADS4 does not connect directly to Milestone; instead, it **reads data from the SQL Server database**. This approach enables SQL Server to **send push notifications** when data changes, improving system performance.

### **Allow SQL Server Network Connections**

1. Ensure that the SQL Server instance used by Milestone **allows network connections**.
2. Check for **firewall settings** that might block access.

### **Test SQL Server Connectivity**

1. Install **Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)** on the PADS4 server.
2. Try **connecting to the Milestone database** using SSMS.
3. If the connection is successful, **SQL Server and firewall settings are correctly configured**.

***

## **Step 3: Enable SQL Server Authentication for PADS4**

To allow PADS4 to connect to SQL Server, enable **Mixed Mode Authentication**:

1. **Connect to SQL Server** using **SSMS** and **Windows Authentication**.
2. **Right-click** on the SQL Server instance and **select Properties**.
3. Navigate to the **Security** page.
4. Under **Server Authentication**, select **SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode**.
5. **Restart SQL Server** for the changes to take effect.

***

## **Step 4: Create a SQL User Account for PADS4**

A **SQL user account** is required to access the Milestone database. You can create one using **SSMS** (Graphical User Interface) or **SQL scripts**.

### **Option 1: Create a SQL User Using SSMS**

1. **Connect to SQL Server** via SSMS.
2. Expand **Security** > **Logins**.
3. **Right-click** on **Logins** and select **New Login**.
4. **Enter a Login Name** (e.g., `PADS4Reader`).
5. Select **SQL Server Authentication** and **set a password**.
6. **Uncheck "Enforce password policy"**.
7. Set the **default database** to `Surveillance`.

#### **Grant Database Permissions**

1. Navigate to **User Mapping**.
2. Select the **Surveillance database**.
3. Assign **db\_owner** role (to allow full access).
4. Optionally, assign **db\_denydatawriter** (to prevent modifications).

***

### **Option 2: Create a SQL User Using a Script**

Alternatively, you can create a user with **read-only access** using the following SQL script:

```sql theme={null}
USE [master]
CREATE LOGIN [PADS4Reader] WITH PASSWORD=N'<password>', DEFAULT_DATABASE=[Surveillance], CHECK_EXPIRATION=OFF, CHECK_POLICY=OFF
USE [Surveillance]
CREATE USER [PADS4Reader] FOR LOGIN [PADS4Reader]
ALTER ROLE [db_datareader] ADD MEMBER [PADS4Reader]
GRANT ALTER ON SCHEMA::[dbo] TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT CONTROL ON SCHEMA::[dbo] TO [PADS4Reader];
GRANT IMPERSONATE ON USER::[dbo] TO [PADS4Reader];
GRANT CREATE PROCEDURE TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT CREATE QUEUE TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT CREATE SERVICE TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT REFERENCES ON CONTRACT::[http://schemas.microsoft.com/SQL/Notifications/PostQueryNotification] TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT SUBSCRIBE QUERY NOTIFICATIONS TO [PADS4Reader]
GRANT RECEIVE ON QueryNotificationErrorsQueue TO [PADS4Reader]
```

1. **Replace** `<password>` with a secure password.
2. **Execute the script** in SSMS.

After execution, the `PADS4Reader` account is **created and configured**.

***

## **Step 5: Configure PADS4 CTRL Center for Milestone Integration**

1. **Open PADS4 CTRL Center**.
2. **Navigate to the Sensors section**.
3. **Add a new Milestone sensor**.
4. Enter the **SQL Server address, database name, username (`PADS4Reader`), and password**.

Once configured, **PADS4 can retrieve alarms from Milestone XProtect**.

***

## **Conclusion**

This setup enables **real-time alarm retrieval** from **Milestone XProtect** using **SQL Server notifications**. The integration allows **automated incident creation** in PADS4 based on **alarm triggers from connected cameras**.

For troubleshooting, verify:

* SQL Server **network access**.
* **Firewall settings**.
* SQL **authentication mode**.
* User **permissions** in SQL Server.

By following these steps, your **PADS4 system will effectively monitor and respond to Milestone alarms**.