Knowledge base 201: Moving Identity Access server to another machine

Knowledge base 201: Moving Identity Access server to another machine

Checking your Identity Access License

When moving Identity Access from one machine to another it is important to check if the current Identity Access server has a Professional or Enterprise license and what version the software is currently running.
The license can be checked from within the Identity Access User Interface by clicking Home > About.




If a license is installed, the license will require transferring from the current server to the new server.

Note: Identity Access Lite Version 9 (free edition) is limited to 12 doors or readers  - A Professional (up to 64 doors) license is required if you have more than 12 doors or readers installed. If you wish to upgrade to Identity Access version 9 due to its additional features and on going maintenance and you have over 12 doors or readers then please contact support@controlsoft.com. Otherwise you can remain / upgrade your system to the latest supported Identity Access V8.

Installing Identity Access on your new Server.

Pre-Installation Checks

Before you attempt to install Identity Access it is important that the anti-virus is temporarily disabled until the installation is complete and all Windows Updates are done prior to the start of the installation.
To check for Windows Updates:
1. Click on the Start button and click the Setting icon .
2. Click on "Update & Security". Click on Check for Updates.



Downloading and Installing Identity Access

It is possible to download the latest version of Identity Access 9 or Identity Access 8.250 from within the login area of our website (Sign Up Required).
https://www.controlsoft.com/login/

If you need assistance with how to install Identity Access you can follow the video below:


 

Post Backup

Once the databases are restored and the license (if applicable) has been transferred – then please ensure that the old machine is powered down, uninstalled on the old machine or the Windows Services are disabled.


Disabling Windows Services (for Identity Access version 9 only)

1.     To restore a database, first close down the Identity Access User Interface as well as the Download Server & Log the Server from the system tray.


2. Go to the Windows Services, you can use the Windows Run or Search functions and type services.msc


3. Find the Identity Access Download Server, right click and select "Properties".


4. Click Stop. Under "Startup type" select "Disabled".


5. Perform step 3 and 4 for the "Identity Access Log Server" and "SQL Server (Identity Access)" services.
6. To reenable the services follow the same procedure, change the "Startup Type" to "Automatic (Delayed Startup) for the Identity Access Services and "Automatic" for "SQL Server (Identity Access)".
Controllers can only talk to 1 instance of Identity Access at any time. If you do restart the services make sure you are not on the same network as the controllers. All data is stored in Identity Access, if you turn on the old server and connect to the controllers all users that were made on the new server will be removed.

Transferring your Identity Access License

If Identity Access (v2016.3 or later) includes an IA-PRO or Enterprise license, it is possible to transfer the license to the new PC as described below
1. On BOTH machines, select Start > All Programs > Controlsoft > Identity Access > Tools > Licensing Utility (Windows 7) 
or Start > All Apps > Controlsoft > Licensing Utility (Windows 8.1 / 10)  
2. Select the Transfer License tab on both machines

3. On the new machine, select the [...] button against "Save recipient information to" and enter a filename and location (e.g. on a flash drive or network drive) for the ".id" file, then select [Collect and save Information].  
4. On the old machine -
Select the [...] button against "Read the recipient information file from" and select the .id file on the flash drive / network
Select the [...] button against "Generate the license transfer file to" and enter a filename and location on the flash drive or network drive for the ".h2h" file
Select the [Generate License Transfer File] button and Select [Yes] to confirm that you want to move the license file.
5. On the new machine apply the .h2h file, select Apply License File tab from the top menu-

6. From the Update File section click [...]
7. Now locate the .h2h file you saved and click Apply Update.

The license has now been moved and will appear on the next restart of the server.
NOTE: When Identity Access is successfully running on the new PC, uninstall Identity Access from the old PC to avoid the 2 systems competing for connection to the controllers.

Moving Identity Access Version 8 or below

If you currently have Identity Access version 8, 2017 or 2016 installed you need to use SQL Backup Master to backup the databases and restore to the new server.  

https://desk.zoho.com/portal/controlsoft1/en/kb/articles/technical-bulletin-no-107 


If you have Identity Access version 9 which has been upgraded on your PC (pre November 2020) from an older version, you will also require to use the above method as your data files are stored in a different location.

Moving Identity Access Version 9

If you currently have Identity Access version 9 installed you can use the built in backup tool to backup and restore to the new server. A helpful video on how to set this up can be found below.


 

Database Information

IAMain -  holds the main setup – hardware, users, door configuration. 

IAAccessLog – holds the users access events  

IASystemLog – holds the system events – such as door opening via a request to exit button.  

IATALog  - holds the time and attendance details (professional license required) 

IAXXXLogBuffer – These databases hold temporary data and so do not need to be restored on the new computer. 

 

Upgrade the Identity Access Databases 

If the Identity Access databases are from an older version of the software, then please update them using the IA.DBUpgrade.exe – default location of the .exe below.  Please take the defaults as per the screenshots below.  

C:\Program Files (x86)\Identity Access\IA.DBUpgrade.exe 

 

Reboot the new machine for the services to use the newly restored database.

Post Moving 

Network Connectivity  

Check that the new machine is able to connect to the iNet controllers – If the network address has also changed - then see the following videos on changing the iNet addresses and/or the computer IP address – discuss with the IT/Networking team about changing the address. 


How to change IP Address of an iNet Door Controller.



How to add a static address to a Windows 10 machine 


 

iNet Firmware Update 

If upgrading the system from Identiy Access version 206, 2017 or 8 it is recommended that the controller firmware is updated.


Firmware updates should be undertaken by your access control maintenance company.


Note  - you will require a laptop when updating the downstream (RS485) iNet Door Controllers.  

Ensure that the doors are freely accessible as this process will be disruptive to door access. 


Latest version the firmware can be downloaded here:

https://www.controlsoft.com/downloads/CSUpdate_v09_046.zip 


How to upgrade firmware of the iNet Door Controller. 


 

For assistance with the above steps please email support@controlsoft.com