--- title: "Setup your first site" source: /gc-surge/new-admin-quick-start/setup-your-first-site locale: en updated: 2026-10-08 --- After you complete the first two steps of the Account Setup Wizard (Welcome → Your profile), GC Surge opens the **Site & Device** step automatically. This is where you connect your first camera location to the platform. ![UNb_AMejhcZFBBMW7G5zpw.mp4](/api/media/file/UNb_AMejhcZFBBMW7G5zpw.mp4) ## **The Account Setup Wizard** The wizard guides new Super Admins through three steps before the platform is ready for operations: | Step | What happens | | --- | --- | | 1 — Welcome | Introduction to GC Surge and what the wizard covers. | | 2 — Your profile | Add your display name and photo so teammates recognize you. | | 3 — Site & Device | Connect your first site and cameras. This is covered below. | You can click **Skip for now** on the Site & Device step and add your first site later from **Configuration**. Your account and profile settings are saved regardless. ## **Step 1 of 3 — What would you like to do?** GC Surge asks how you want to add your first site. Four options are available: | Option | Best for | | --- | --- | | Add a site and deviceSet up a new location and connect its first device. | Setting up one site at a time. GC Surge walks you through the connection details step by step. | | Add a device to an existing sitePick one of your sites and add a device to it. | Adding another device once at least one site exists. On a brand-new account | | Add multiple sites and devicesSeveral sites or many devices at once using flash bulk import. | Large deployments where you have camera details ready in a spreadsheet. | | Add demo camerasLoad sample cameras instantly so you can explore GC Surge without setting up hardware. | Trying out GC Surge before connecting any real camera hardware. | ![image-20260726-101422.png](/api/media/file/image-20260726-101422.png) ## **Option A — Add a site and device** 1. Select **Add a site and device**. Enter a name for the site in the **What should we call this site?** field and click **Continue**. ![image-20260726-101449.png](/api/media/file/image-20260726-101449.png) 1. **What device do you want to add?** — three options appear:**A brand from our list** — GC Surge sets the device up automatically. Supported brands: AXIS, Dahua, Hikvision, NX Witness. (Hanwha and SpykeBox cameras — select NX Witness.)**My device can send alarms (API, FTP or SMTP)** — for devices not on the list that can push alarms. GC Surge gives you the details to enter into the device settings.**Use GC Edge — works with any device** — GC Edge runs on site and reads the video stream directly. Ideal when the device only streams video.Select **A brand from our list** for supported brands. 2. **Can GC Surge reach your devices directly?** — two options:**Yes — public IPs or port forwarding** — devices are reachable from the internet (public IP, DDNS, or forwarded ports). GC Surge connects directly and configures everything automatically.**No — private network only** — devices are on a LAN or VPN with no public access. A Local Agent is required on-site.Select **Yes** for the public IP path. 3. Fill in the device details:**Device name** — a label to identify this device within the site.**Device IP or hostname** — the public or local IP address of your device.**Device brand** — select your brand from the dropdown (e.g. AXIS, Dahua, Hikvision, NX Witness).**HTTP/S port** — typically 80. Enable the **HTTPS (secure)** toggle if your device uses a secure connection.**Username** and **Password** — your device’s login credentials. 4. Click **Add site & device**. GC Surge connects directly and configures your device automatically. A confirmation appears: *“Your device is connected and GC Surge is configuring it. Head to the Alarm Center — your first alarm appears there automatically once it’s triggered.”* Click **Go to Alarm center** or **Add another site**. ![image-20260726-101524.png](/api/media/file/image-20260726-101524.png) > For the full step-by-step per network mode and all field definitions, see [Setting Up Sites](/setup-deployment/setting-up-sites). ## **Option B — Add multiple sites and devices** Select **Add multiple sites and devices** to open the spreadsheet import flow. You prepare a template file with all your sites and devices, upload it, and GC Surge creates them all at once. 1. Click **Download file** (the “Need a starter template?” link) to get the correct column layout. 2. Fill in one row per camera: **Site Name**, **Camera Name**, **IP Address**, **HTTP Port**, **RTSP Port**, **User Name**, **Password**, **Camera Brand**, **Site Owner Email**, **Contact Phone**, **Contact Name**, and **HTTPS**. 3. Upload the completed file (.xlsx or .xls). GC Surge validates each row before creating any site. 4. Review the results. Fix any failed rows and re-upload until the import is complete. ![image-20260726-101606.png](/api/media/file/image-20260726-101606.png) > For the full column reference, validation rules, and bulk Private/VPN configuration, see [Bulk Spreadsheet Import](/setup-deployment/bulk-spreadsheet-import). ## **Option C — Add demo cameras** Select **Add demo cameras** to load sample cameras instantly so you can explore GC Surge without setting up hardware — ideal for trying the platform before connecting real devices. For more on demo data, see [Add a device](/new-admin-quick-start/add-a-device). ![image-20260726-101644.png](/api/media/file/image-20260726-101644.png) ## **After your first site is added** Once the wizard finishes, GC Surge takes you to the **Home Dashboard**. Your site appears in **Configuration** and will start showing data as cameras send their first events. Confirm everything is working: 1. In **Configuration**, confirm the site appears in Added sites (Status: **Active**), then open its devices — each device's Configuration status shows **Configured**, **Pending**, or **Reassigned**. 2. In **Video Search**, confirm events from the new site begin appearing within a few minutes of camera activity. 3. In the **Home Dashboard**, confirm KPI metrics start updating for the new site. > For Private/VPN and Edge sites, a field activation step is required before alarms can flow. See [Local Agent — Field Activation](https://nxgen-team-f1bs1n7p.atlassian.net/wiki/x/FoCMAg).