--- title: "Add a device" source: /gc-surge/new-admin-quick-start/add-a-device locale: en updated: 2026-09-23 --- GC Surge supports four ways to add a device, depending on your device type, network setup, and how many devices you are adding at once. Choose the method that matches your situation. | Method | Best for | Auto-configures the device? | | --- | --- | --- | | Guided setup | First-time setup or when you are unsure which mode applies. | Yes — for supported brands (AXIS | | Add sites manually | Adding one device at a time with full control over each field. | Partial — auto-detects Private/VPN from the IP. | | Import from spreadsheet | Adding 10 or more devices at once. | Partial — validates before import; Private/VPN bulk config available. | | Universal device support | Any device that pushes alarms via REST API | SMTP | ![3puNfvJoJ0oC6oW4nWlArw.mp4](/api/media/file/3puNfvJoJ0oC6oW4nWlArw.mp4) ## **Add demo site with devices** If you want to explore GC Surge before connecting any camera hardware, use the **Add demo site with devices** option. It creates a pre-configured demo site with sample devices and simulated alarms so you can walk through the full workflow — Alarm Center, ZenMode, and alarm processing — without any physical equipment. To create a demo site: 1. Open **Configuration** from the left sidebar. 2. In the **Added sites** panel, click **Add demo site with devices** (next to **Add Site**). 3. A confirmation appears and the demo site is added to your site list, along with its three pre-configured devices (Demo Device 1, 2, and 3). > The demo site behaves like a real site — it appears in Alarm Center, generates alarms you can process in ZenMode, and contributes to your KPI metrics. Remove it with the **Remove demo site with devices** button in **Configuration** when you no longer need it. ## **\1. Guided setup** Guided setup asks a short set of questions and routes you to the correct configuration automatically. Use this for first-time onboarding or when you are unsure which mode applies. 1. Open **Configuration** from the left sidebar. 2. Click **Add sites & devices** (top right) → **Guided setup**. 3. Select what you want to do:**Add a site and device**: enter a site name, then select your device type — **A brand from our list**, **My device can send alarms (API, FTP or SMTP)**, or **Use GC Edge — works with any device**. Follow the on-screen steps. GC Surge configures the device and confirms when alarms are flowing.**Add a device to an existing site**: select an existing site, then select your device type — **A brand from our list**, **My device can send alarms (API, FTP or SMTP)**, or **Use GC Edge — works with any device**. Follow the on-screen steps. GC Surge configures the device and confirms when alarms are flowing.**Add multiple sites and devices**: opens the bulk import tool — fill in the spreadsheet template and upload it to create all sites and devices at once.**Add demo cameras**: loads sample cameras instantly so you can explore GC Surge without setting up hardware. ![Screenshot 2026-07-16 111731.png](/api/media/file/Screenshot-2026-07-16-111731.png) > For the full step-by-step per network mode (Public IP, Private/VPN, Edge), see [Setting Up Sites](/setup-deployment/setting-up-sites). ## **\2. Add sites manually** Fill in the device’s connection details directly — no guided questions. One device at a time. 1. Open **Configuration** → click **Add sites & devices** → **Add sites manually**. 2. Enter the **Site name** (type a new name to create a site, or pick an existing one). 3. Fill in device details: Device name, Device IP or hostname, Device brand, HTTP/S port, Use case (auto-detected based on device IP, port, and brand), HTTPS (Secure) toggle, Username, Password. To use GC Edge, enable the **GC Edge device** toggle — this removes the brand requirement. 4. If the IP is private (e.g. 192.168.x.x), GC Surge detects it automatically and shows the **WHO INSTALLS THE LOCAL AGENT?** section. Choose **I am on-site** or **Delegate installation**. 5. Fill in **Contact info**: if the local agent section appeared (private network device) or the **GC Edge device** toggle is enabled, **Contact person** and **Contact email** are required — they receive the site key and installation steps. **Contact phone** is optional. 6. Click **Add site & device**. ![Screenshot 2026-07-16 112057.png](/api/media/file/Screenshot-2026-07-16-112057.png) > For field-by-field details and GC Edge toggle instructions, see [Setting Up Sites](/setup-deployment/setting-up-sites). ## **\3. Import from spreadsheet** Add many devices at once using an Excel template. GC Surge previews the data locally before uploading to the server. 1. Open **Configuration** → click **Add sites & devices** → **Import from spreadsheet**. 2. If you need a template, click **Download file**. Fill in your devices (site name, device name, IP address, HTTP port, RTSP port, username, password, device brand, and contact info) and save the file. 3. Click **Upload site sheet** and select your completed file (.xlsx or .xls). 4. GC Surge loads the data into the **IMPORTED SITES** preview table — verify the rows are correct. 5. Under **SEND OPTIONS**, enable the **Auto-send site key to owners after import** toggle to automatically deliver each site’s key to the assigned contact. 6. Click **Upload to server**. GC Surge processes the import and redirects to the **IMPORT STATUS** tab. > For the full column reference and bulk Private/VPN configuration, see [Bulk Spreadsheet Import](/setup-deployment/bulk-spreadsheet-import). ![Screenshot 2026-07-16 112131.png](/api/media/file/Screenshot-2026-07-16-112131.png) ![Screenshot 2026-07-16 112350.png](/api/media/file/Screenshot-2026-07-16-112350.png) ## **\4. Universal device support** Use this when your device is not on the supported brand list but can push alarms on its own via REST API, Email (SMTP), or FTP. You pick the method your device supports and copy the generated credentials into it. 1. Open **Configuration** → click **Add sites & devices** → **Universal device support**. 2. Enter a **Device name**, select an existing site or type a new name to create one, and choose the alarm method your device supports: **REST API**, **Email (SMTP)**, or **FTP**. 3. Click **Add Device**. 4. GC Surge generates the connection credentials. Copy each value exactly into your device’s alarm-forwarding settings. 5. Optionally, click **\+ ADD FORWARD ALARM** to add recipients in the **Forward Alarms** step. 6. Click **Done**. > For credentials per method and manual fallback steps, see [Adding Devices - Universal Device Support](/setup-deployment/adding-devices-universal-device-support). ![Screenshot 2026-07-16 112455.png](/api/media/file/Screenshot-2026-07-16-112455.png) ## **Verify the device is working** After adding a device by any method, confirm the following before marking it operational: 1. In **Configuration**, confirm the device appears under the correct site and the device count has incremented. 2. In **Video Search**, confirm events from the new device are appearing. This verifies the full alarm pipeline. 3. In the **Home Dashboard**, confirm KPI metrics reflect activity from the new site. 4. Do not mark the device as operational until the device's Configuration status shows **Configured**.