Adding to an existing installation

Adding to an existing installation

Overview of Identity Access / Expanding Identity Access

The Identity Access (IA) Management Software from Controlsoft© is a PC-based Access Control Management system. The Identity Access software manages the access control database, which is downloaded to one or more Master iNet® Controllers.  The iNet controller(s) make the decisions as to whether access is granted or denied and therefore the door remans locked or opens.  There are 2 options to expand the system, this is either by adding each controller individually to the Local Area Network via a TCP connection or to have 1 Master on the network and up to 15 further devices downstream using the on-board RS-485 network. If you wish to expand the system by adding to the RS-485 line it is important to understand what versions of firmware work with the software that is currently installed, this is outlined below.


Identity Access is free to download and install with up to 12 Doors or 12 Readers. If you wish to expand beyond this then there are 2 license options, IA-Pro (up to 64 doors or readers) or IA-ENT (65 doors or readers and above).

Compatibility of Firmware

It is recommended to use the latest version of Identity Access software with the latest version of firmware on the iNet controller however,  this may incur some additional licensing cost if the original system has more than 12 doors or readers.  Older versions of IA (free edition) supported up to 24 doors before requiring a professional license. If you are using software older than Identity Access V9 then the firmware in the iNet(s) that you are going to install will need changing.
If you are planning to expand the system by installing the new iNet onto a pre-existing master and downstream controllers then the firmware version in all devices must match across the whole RS-485 network.

Firmware Version
Software Version
9.0.54
2017.1.534
9.0.54
V8.xx
9.0.54
V9.xx

There are various versions of firmware in the field, the versions listed above are the latest supported firmware. If you find any master controllers that are on different versions then it is advisable to update to the latest compatible firmware.

Locating the Identity Access Software Version

To locate the version of Identity Access:
1. Find and login to the PC that has Identity Access installed and load the Identity Access User Interface
2. Login to Identity Access, the default username is Admin and password is Password
3. Make sure the Home tab is active and click on .


Locating the current firmware version of an existing master controller (when adding an iNet to an existing RS-485 network)

It is important when adding a new controller to an existing RS485 network that all controllers firmware match. To check the firmware version of a master controller:
1. Find and login to the PC that has Identity Access installed and load the Identity Access User Interface
2. Login to Identity Access, the default username is Admin and password is Password
3. Click on the Setup tab and select Controllers.
4. Click on the Master controller you are adding to and select the iNet Configurator icon.

5. If you are prompted for a username and password, login with Admin and Password.
6. Make sure the IP address matches the record in Identity Access and click connect
7. The Firmware Version (EMS Version) will be shown on the first page.


As stated above the firmware version needs to match the version applicable to your application version and is required to match across the whole RS-485 network for the master controller you are going to add onto, therefore if the master controller is not on 98.37.26 or 9.0.36 it is recommended to update using the below method.


Downloading iNet Firmware

The latest version of firmware can be found from within the Controlsoft Login area. Registration will be required if it hasn't been completed previously.

Installing iNet Firmware

The knowledge base attached below provides assistance on how to update the firmware of an iNet Door Controller:

Changing the IP address of a Master ACU

The iNet IP Utility has been designed to make the setup of iNet's onto your customers network as simple as possible. The tool gives the ability to setup your controllers to static addresses, without the need to only plug 1 iNet onto the network at once, with or without the use of a DHCP server or your laptop sitting in the same range as the controller. The tool also utilizes the ability to set up passwords on the iNet door controllers to maximum the security on your customers network. 

The iNet IP Utility is downloadable from within the Controlsoft Login area.

Further information for this can be found on the below knowledge base and video:


Identity Access V9.1.75 (check the current software version and the amount of doors and readers before attempting to update to the latest version) - https://www.controlsoft.com/downloads/IA_9.SP1.075.zip

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

                           


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