What type of architecture does Milestone XProtect primarily use?

Milestone XProtect primarily employs client-server architecture, which is a model that separates the client and server components of the system. In this architecture, the client initiates requests to the server, which processes those requests and returns the appropriate responses.

In the context of Milestone XProtect, the server is responsible for managing video and data streams, configuration, and storage, while the clients (such as the XProtect Smart Client) are used by users to interact with the system, view live and recorded video, and manage settings. This separation ensures that the heavy processing and storage demands are handled by the server, while clients can operate effectively with less resource consumption.

The client-server model also allows for centralized management of resources, making it easier to maintain and scale the system as needed. In contrast, other architectures like peer-to-peer would imply direct sharing of resources between clients without a centralized management system, and cloud computing would suggest that services are provided over the internet, which is not the primary focus of Milestone XProtect architecture. Distributed architecture might also involve multiple servers and clients, but in the context of XProtect, the formal client-server structure is most accurate.