Credentialed Access- Hardware Project Planning
CREDENTIALED ACCESS HARDWARE PROJECT PLANNING
Kantech Controllers are not covered in this guide. The only available HID controller is the Aero X1100 which can be used in multiple configurations.
Figure 2 - HID Aero X1100 Door Controller
The Aero X1100 device provides on-board IO support for up to two access points and two Wiegand readers. Attach expansion IO modules (what we call interfaces like the Aero X100, X200 and X300) to expand the number of access points controlled. At maximum capacity, the X1100 is rated by the manufacturer to receive input from up to 64 readers. It can be used as a standalone two-door controller, with the interfaces to operate multiple doors or a mix of both setups.
INSTALLATION PROJECT PLANNING
To use a credentialed access device on a community, controllers must be used in the project. These devices are network devices connected to FRONTSTEPS Dwelling via Ethernet. They receive input from a reader and make the decision to open the door.
Figure 3 - A single pool gate controlled by a gate controller receiving input from a single reader
The data from an access device (as seen in Figure 3) is received by an input device (what we broadly call a reader) and transmitted to a gate controller. The controller then, based on the data it has from the web platform, makes an access decision. Figure 3 shows a pool gate controlled by one gate controller to illustrate this configuration. Readers don’t need to necessarily be RFID device antennas, they can also be any input device that provides a Weigand signal (such as a keypad, antenna for gate remotes, Bluetooth and more).
Figure 4 - Example of a two-door implementation
Figure 4 shows a two-door configuration, with two readers connected directly to an HID Aero X1100. These two doors can be set up as a separate entrance and exit, two different vehicle gates or entrance/exit for the same door.
If multiple doors within a short distance are needed, The Aero X1100 can be used with interfaces to manage all the nearby doors with a single gate controller. These interfaces are connected via RS-485 standard. Figure 5 shows on channel 1 a single Aero X100 (two-door interface) that can be daisy chained with up to 16 different interfaces on that same channel.
Figure 5 - Single Controller with multiple interfaces controlling multiple doors.
These are the questions that need to be asked when creating a project plan for a new FRONTSTEPS Dwelling community installation:
| QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY | CLARIFICATIONS ON WHY TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS |
| How many doors or gates will need to be controlled? | Will help create the restraints to design a project around one or more controllers, interfaces, and readers. |
| Will vehicle access devices be needed? | This shows where the hardware will be installed, usually interfaces aren’t used for vehicle gate control (a single controller with two readers is the common configuration). |
| Are there access devices already in use that need to be imported to the new system? | The format and function of the devices in use will dictate if they can be added to dwelling; if the devices are not 26-bit or 37-bit standard Wiegand format, they are incompatible with FRONTSTEPS Dwelling. |
| Will the system be needed for amenities? | Amenity access is the common application for multiple interfaces on a single controller. |
| How far apart are the door/gate locations? | Interfaces use RS-485, and wiring in that standard has a length limit of 4000ft. If the gates or doors are farther apart than that, separate controllers and network connections are recommended. |
| Are there existing gate controllers on site? | Only specific HID and Kantech controllers are supported by FRONTSTEPS Dwelling currently. |
| How is the network setup at each location where a gate controller is needed? | Wired networks are preferred for reliable gate controller performance. If the network is more complex than a simple modem connected to the controller at each point, the network administrator for that community will need to be part of the project. FRONTSTEPS can’t make network setup or setting recommendations other than what is recommended by the manufacturer. |
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Is there stable power available at each location? | Power issues will cause operational problems with gate control hardware. |
| Are there impediments (e.g., extensive concrete walls) to physically installing the correct wiring? | Wired ethernet and wired Weigand connections are supported. Wireless Weigand and network are not supported currently. |