Nx Powertoys is an API connector that extends the functionality of a Nx Witness Server
Powered by a small localhost web server Nx Powertoys is a collection of modules that interact with the Nx APIs to create functional tools often requested by installers & customers alike, but fall outside the scope of regular Nx Development & Roadmap.
Features
Nx Powertoys Pricing
Nx Powertoys is sold through the normal Nx Distribution / Reseller channel.
- If you are an End User, you can purchase via your Nx Reseller
- Installers / Resellers, you purchase from your Nx Distributor
- Distributors can contact Nx Powertoys directly
Currently there are 3 licensed modules available for Nx Powertoys:
- Rule Groups - includes timers, schedules & passwords
- List Management
- Timelapse
All 3 licensed modules would require 3 licenses. 1 licensed module requires only 1 license.
The Nx Powertoys service is designed to work in a system hive. That means the Nx Powertoys service is installed on a single server within the hive & will function on a single license for all servers in the hive.
Supports Nx version 5.1.4.38717 +
Nx Powertoys licensing is perpetual and licensed to the Nx Server Hardware ID, just like Nx licensing!
How does it work?
Installation
Prerequisites
- Nx Witness Server (version 5.1.4.38717+)
- Administrator/root privileges on the target server
- Network access to the Nx server
- Valid Nx Powertoys license (purchased through Nx distribution channels)
- Nx Administrator user with Digest Authentication enabled (required for API functionality)
System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 10/11 or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04+, Debian 11+)
- Architecture: x86_64 (64-bit)
- Memory: Minimum 2GB RAM
- Storage: 100MB free disk space
- Network: Local network access to Nx server
Windows Installation
- Download the installer
- Download
nxpowertoys_x.x.x.zipfrom the official Nx Powertoys distribution - Extract the zip file in a directory of your choice
- Download
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Press Windows + X and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" or "Command Prompt (Admin)"
- Navigate to the directory containing the installer
- Run the installation
nxpt.exe --install- The Nx Powertoys service should start automatically
- Default port: 8080
- Access the web interface at:
http://127.0.0.1:8080
Windows CLI Options
nxpt.exe --help- Show help messagenxpt.exe --version- Show version informationnxpt.exe --install --port 8080- Install with custom portnxpt.exe --start- Start the Windows servicenxpt.exe --stop- Stop the Windows servicenxpt.exe --restart- Restart the Windows servicenxpt.exe --uninstall- Uninstall the Windows service
Linux Installation
- Download the installer
- Download the appropriate
.debpackage for your Ubuntu/Debian version - Example:
nxpowertoys_[version]_amd64.deb
- Download the appropriate
- Install the package
sudo apt install ./nxpowertoys_*.deb
- Verify installation
sudo systemctl status nxpt
- Access the web interface
- Default URL:
http://127.0.0.1:8080 - Automatic port detection: If port 8080 is in use, the application automatically finds the next available port by incrementing by 10 (8090, 8100, 8110, etc.)
- Default URL:
Linux Service Management
sudo systemctl start nxpt- Start servicesudo systemctl stop nxpt- Stop servicesudo systemctl restart nxpt- Restart servicesudo systemctl status nxpt- Check statussudo journalctl -u nxpt -f- View logssudo systemctl enable nxpt- Enable auto-startsudo systemctl disable nxpt- Disable auto-start
Linux Configuration
To change the default port on Linux:
- Edit the configuration file
sudo nano /opt/nxpt/etc/config.json
- Modify the port setting
- Change the port value in the JSON configuration
- Restart the service
sudo systemctl restart nxpt
Post-Installation Setup
- Access the Web Interface
- Open your web browser
- Navigate to:
http://127.0.0.1:8080 - Note: Nx Powertoys only responds to localhost calls (127.0.0.1)
- Port detection: If the default port 8080 is in use, check the application logs or try
http://127.0.0.1:8090,http://127.0.0.1:8100, etc.
- Connect to Nx Server
- Click the "Connect" button on the Status page
- Enter Nx credentials:
- Username: Your Nx Administrator username
- Password: Your Nx Administrator password
- Critical: The Nx Administrator user MUST have Digest Authentication enabled
- Why: Many API calls will fail without digest authentication enabled
- License Activation
- Copy the NX Hardware ID from the Nx Powertoys server
- Visit the Nx Activation form with your license key
- Enter the Hardware ID and license key (include the "-" in the license key)
- Copy the activation confirmation and license key
- Paste into Nx Powertoys server and click Submit
- Integration with Nx Client (Recommended)
- Open Nx Client
- Create a new "Proxied Webpage" pointing to the Nx Powertoys server
- URL:
http://127.0.0.1:8080(or the port found by automatic detection) - This provides seamless integration within the Nx Client interface
Important: Digest Authentication Requirement
CRITICAL: The Nx Administrator user account used with Nx Powertoys MUST have Digest Authentication enabled in the Nx Witness Server settings. Without this:
- Many API calls will fail
- Rule management features may not work
- Password retrieval may be unavailable
- Other core functionality may be limited
To enable Digest Authentication:
- Log into Nx Witness Client
- Go to System Administration → Users
- Select your Administrator user
- Enable "Digest Authentication" in the user settings
- Save the changes
This is a fundamental requirement for Nx Powertoys to function properly.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
- Service Won't Start
- Windows: Check Windows Event Viewer for error messages
- Linux: Check logs with
sudo journalctl -u nxpt -f - Verify port availability: Ensure port 8080 (or your custom port) is not in use
- Connection Issues
- Verify Nx server is running and accessible
- Check credentials: Ensure you're using Administrator privileges
- Digest Authentication: CRITICAL - Ensure the Nx Administrator user has Digest Authentication enabled
- Network connectivity: Confirm localhost access to port 8080
- Port Conflicts
- Windows: You can also use the
--portparameter during installation to specify a custom port - Linux: Edit the configuration file at
/opt/nxpt/etc/config.jsonto specify a custom port
- Windows: You can also use the
Rule Groups
- Using the Nx Client rules editor, comment all the rules you would like Nx Powertoys to list
- Browse to the Nx Powertoys server > Rule Groups > Add / Edit Rule Group
- Select the commented rules you would like Nx Powertoys to enable or disable for that group
("Include" selects the rule to be part of the group, the "State" checkbox sets the state for that rule).
Using only commented rules limits the list & allows you to create your own comment syntax for rule sorting - Apply the Rule Group directly, or Nx Powertoys can create the Nx "Soft Trigger" & "Generic" events to action the Rule Group
Schedules
Timers
List Management
Timelapse
FAQ
Does it work with other VMS platforms
-
Other "Powered by Nx" products share the same API, so yes.
Nx Meta, DW Spectrum, Hanwha Wave etc.
Application supports version 5.1.4.38717 +