Replacing Equipment

Replacing Equipment

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).

Hardware changes between iNet versions

The iNet that you are replacing may have different connections to the unit you are replacing. It is important to match the correct input and output numbering between the boards as these are fully programmable in the software, so it is recommended to match them up so that no reprogramming is required within IA. Listed below are the differences between the V1 + V2 boards compared to the V3 Board that you are replacing:
  1. The RS-485 ports are now A+B, rather than B+A.
  2. The reader ports are now 1+2, rather than 2+1.
  3. Inputs have been relocated and are now in numerical order.
  4. Terminal blocks are now much bigger.

Replacing an RS-485 Downstream iNet Controller

If you are replacing an IP Controller then please move on to the Replacing an IP Controller section.

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 with Identity Access installed.
2. Login to Identity Access.
3. Click on the "System" tab and select "Controllers".
4. Click on the Master controller you are adding to and select the "Show/hide stats for the selected controller" button



NOTE: On previous Identity Access versions this would have been the following Icon:


5. The firmware version for the selected controller will show on the right-hand pane.


NOTE: The Firmware Version of any Downstream RS-485 device can be located by clicking    within the Stats Menu.

Downloading and Installing iNet Firmware


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

Downloading to an iNet after a replacement

It is important to note that once the controller has been replaced you must perform a full download to it so all the settings are correct. To do this login to the software: go to "System"  and select "Controllers". Single click the controller you wish to download to and click on the  to perform a download.



Replacing an IP Controller

To replace an IP controller, change the IP address to the same as the previous controller using the iNet IP Utility and perform a full download through Identity Access.

The iNet IP Utility is downloadable from www.controlsoft.com/iputility

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



Downloading to an iNet after a replacement

It is important to note that once the controller has been replaced you must perform a full download to it so all the settings are correct. To do this login to the software: go to "System"  and select "Controllers". Single click the controller you wish to download to and click on the  to perform a download.


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