Knowledge base 207: Identity Access Removed or Lost without backups

Knowledge base 207: Identity Access Removed or Lost without backups

If the PC holding Identity Access software has failed and no external backup is available, then a reinstallation and recommission of the system will be required.  A site survey may be required to ensure the system is setup as it was previously. Some features or the quantity of doors or reader may mean that you will require an Identity Access Pro license to continue .  it is also possible that the firmware in the iNet controllers will need updating in line with the new V9 software.

Planning / Purchasing

Do I need to purchase a new license?

Identity Access version 9 is free to download, however there are limitations of 12 doors or readers with certain advanced features not being enabled. If you have less than 12 doors or readers and are not using any of the below features then you can continue without purchasing a license file. 


If your system was installed with Identity Access version 9 Professional  (+12 doors/readers or use of pro features) before the PC was lost then a reactivation license will need to be purchased - Controlsoft part number AC-6900.
If the system was Identity Access version 8, then an upgrade license will need to be purchased  - Controlsoft part number IA-Pro-UPG.

If the system was used for badge printing the license number can be transferred to a new PC however the original purchase order number and purchaser details will be required. If these are not known then a new IA-AID license will need to be purchased.

If you have any licensing questions please contact our support team with the site name and installer name so we can check on our systems.

Identity Access Server PC Requirements

The following specifications will suffice for systems with fewer than 10,000 users:
  1. Windows 10
  2. Intel i5 processor @ 3GHZ
  3. 8GB RAM
  4. 100GB Free Disk Space
  5. 10/100 Network Card
  6. USB Port (for a USB enrolment reader or webcam)
  7. Screen resolution = 1280x800 or better
If you do have more than 10,000 users, we would recommend an i7 processor with 16Gb RAM and 250GB free disk space

USB Enrolment Reader

If the PC has been removed or lost then you may well have also lost the USB enrolment reader. Therefore if you are using cards or fobs where the number is not printed you will require a new Omnikey USB enrolment reader, part number IA-DTR. 

If you still have an older enrolment reader then please note only an Omnikey Enrolment reader is now supported. This can be seen below. Drivers for the enrolment reader are available from our website and can be found in a link at the bottom of this document.
Omnikey Enrolment Reader
If your enrolment reader looks like the below please be aware these are no longer supported. An IA-DTR will be required to be purchased.
AC-1051/2
If your system is being used with biometric readers then you should have a USB enrolment reader, if you do not then a new Idemia enrolment reader will be required, part number SG-293670362.
Idemia Enrolment Reader

Preparation for recommission of system

Before you start to rebuild the system it is important to perform the following steps to make it easier for yourself and limit the downtime of the system.

Scan the network for the Master iNet controllers / biometric devices

To limit the downtime it is best to attempt to locate the master controllers on the network first so that you do not have to reset any addresses manually. Though Identity Access has many built in scanning functions it is recommended to use a third party application such as Advanced IP Scanner, so that no software attempts to talk to the iNets and therefore causes the controller to be reset before the site is ready to use the newly installed Identity Access software.. 

First ascertain how the control units are plugged onto the network, i.e. are they on their own IP network or are they on the customer LAN. If they are on the customers LAN you may need IT to help you perform a scan on the network, and or let you know what range to scan for.

When you perform a scan, you are looking for the following MAC Address ranges to signify either a Controlsoft iNet or an Idemia biometric device:

Type
Manufacturer
MAC Address
Controlsoft iNet V3 
Artila Electronics Co; Ltd
00:13:48:XX:XX:XX
Controlsoft iNet V4
Variscite LTD
F8:DC:7A:XX:XX:XX
Idemia Products
Idemia
00:24:AE:XX:XX:XX

Unplug the Master IP iNet(s) from the network

Remove the network cable from all master iNet to take them fully offline. This is to stop any unexpected updates from resetting the iNet controllers and therefore stop the system from working before the database has been rebuilt.

Noting how the system is wired

Due to Controlsoft products being fully configurable it is important to note where the inputs, outputs and readers are plugged in on each control unit. On newer controllers there is guidance to suggest where to place each component however, it is important this is checked physically to limit confusion and downtime later when the system is put online. Attached to this knowledge base is an example configuration table which you may find useful to helping you note where everything is wired in. In the useful links section of this guide you will find helpful installation guides on our supported hardware.

Within the Useful Links section of this guide you will find manuals for both the iNet and Reader Expansion board, which explain how they are addressed on the RS485 line as well as their wiring.
Controlsoft do manufacturer and support RS485 and OSDP readers, therefore if you find your system is not using any Wiegand ports then please refer to the manufacturers installation guides on how to gather the RS485 address for each reader. The installation manual for the Controlsoft RS-485 reader is located in the Useful Links section of this guide.

Software Installation and Configuration

Software Downloads

Identity Access Lite can be downloaded and installed from the below link:

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:
Click on the Start button and click the Setting icon .
Click on "Update & Security". Click on Check for Updates.


How to Videos

To help you install and setup Identity Access you can find selected help videos below. Further videos can be found on our Controlsoft Youtube Channel:



Configuration of the Identity Access Software

You can use the Software Guide within the Useful links section of this bulletin or visit our Controlsoft Youtube videos for help on how to setup the Identity Access software. However it is important to note you can use the Door Wizard if the system has been wired as per the iNet installation guide, however if there are any discrepancies it is advisable to follow the below scheme for repopulating the database:
1. Add the Controller(s), with IP address and any devices connected to that iNet Controllers RS485 line.
2. Add the Door(s) along with setting up the I/O.
3. Add the Reader(s) and attach to the relevant door(s).
4. Add a Group(s) and give access to the relevant Reader(s)
5. Add the user(s) to the system either using the enrolment reader or the printed card number and add them to their relevant groups

How to Change the IP Address of an iNet Controller

If you have not been able to locate the iNet controllers on the customers network you can default the IP address of the master controller by holding the reset button for 30 seconds and then follow the below video on how to change the iNet's IP address.

Final Commissioning

Before continuing make sure access to each area can be maintained, where appropriate, without the use of the Controlsoft system before firmware updates and downloads from the new system are done. During the firmware updates the access control system will not be able to be used.
If you are upgrading the system from an earlier version of Identity Access it is important to update the iNet controller(s) to the latest version of firmware. This should take place once you have put the Master iNets back onto the network following setting them up on the software. It is highly advisable to bring one controller onto the network, make sure it comes Online on Identity Access, perform the firmware update, download to the controller and test before moving onto the next controller.

Downloading iNet Firmware

Use the links below to download the firmware from our website.
9.0.54 (Latest Firmware for use on IA V9)
https://www.controlsoft.com/downloads/CSUpdate_v09_054.zip

Installing iNet Firmware

To learn how to install the iNet firmware please see the video below:


Once the firmware is updated the controllers database will be empty, therefore this stage is important to take place once the controllers are back on the network.

Performing a Full Download

To perform a download to the controller, within Identity Access go to "Setup" and "Controllers". Single click to highlight the controller you wish to download to and select the  icon. Wait 2 minutes and the controller should be up to date and ready to test.
Identity Access Server Installation and Basic Setup Guide - https://www.controlsoft.com/downloads/Identity_Access_v9_Server_Installation_Guide.pdf
Omnikey Enrolment Reader Drivers and Manuals - https://controlsoft.com/downloads/Omnikey.zip

If you require any further help you can check out our YouTube channel and knowledge base area below!