Functionality
Highpower's Model 3500
is a new class of door controller. It is a low cost software based "thin
client" that
makes it simple for both software developers and installers to
extend door control over a standard TCP/IP computer network. Unlike
traditional full-sized intelligent control panels, the Model 3500 is simplified
device that has very limited intelligence on-board. It's limited on board
capabilities means that the product has an unusually low parts count, which
keeps the cost of the product lower than a traditional door control panel, yet
it can still perform similar functions found in a full size controller.
 Because of it's
limited on-board intelligence, all of the basic functions found in a traditional
controller are implemented in software running on a remote server PC.
This type of door
controller relies on real-time software control over the network in order to
function. Despite this limitation, the real time control of the device
through the network offers benefits that aren't realized in a traditional
controller setup including no limitation on the number of card holders and no
requirement for the software to "sync" with the device. With a reliable network and server, the Model 3500 can
dramatically lower deployment costs in systems with many doors.
Wiegand to Ethernet Bridging with Software based Door Control
The Model 3500 has an
industry standard Wiegand interface which allows the connection of standard card
readers to the device. It also has an integrated Lantronix Ethernet
adaptor
which is used to send data back to a server PC. Because the 3500 device only has
memory to save basic configuration data, no card numbers or schedules are stored
locally on the 3500 device. When a card is swiped on the reader, the 3500
device sends the card data back to a listening server application running on a
PC. The server application verifies the validity of the card data, and if
the card swipe is valid, the server application sends a command back to the 3500
to trigger an on-board relay, which is used to control the locking device at the
door. Because card transactions are processed on the PC and not on the
hardware, the only limit on the number of card holders in a particular system is
determined by the card format used. No synchronization process between
software and the controller is required as card data is stored on the PC. Card data, schedules and settings
can be changed in real time on the server PC with no coordination on the
hardware.
The server
application can either be written as a custom application by a developer, or can
be Highpower's HMS software, which provides full support for the 3500 device.
When using the controller with HMS software, all features implemented in HMS
with traditional devices are also supported in the 3500 including card
scheduling, unlocking schedules, expiration dates, holiday and event schedules
and card access levels with real time updating and virtually no limit on the
number of card holders. Because the controller functions are defined in
software, new features can be implemented in the system quickly just by making
revisions to the server application.
Detailed Feature Description
Basic features of the
3500 include one Wiegand card reader input, on-board Ethernet adaptor and a
relay for controlling a locking device. Each 3500 unit is designed to
control one door and can be distributed at each door of a facility. The 3500
is a small device housed in a stylish plastic enclosure that has mounting slots
that allow it to be surface mounted to a wall using two screws.
Primary connections to the device are made at the bottom of the device by a
removable terminal block. Secondary connections are made by connecting to
either connectors or pin header. The removable terminal block has reader
and relay connections and
also provides two inputs, one for door position switch monitoring and a second for request
to exit push buttons. The 3500's expansion port allows for
connection to an LCD display (SPI clocked data port) and additional I/O for custom applications.
The 3500 unit is powered by a 12VDC plug in wall transformer that connects to a
barrel jack at the bottom of the unit. Two indication LEDs, one that shows
data activity and one that works as a power/relay state indication light are
also present at the bottom connection panel. There is a configuration
jumper inside the device that can be set to route power from the plug-in transformer to the
relay terminals. A reset switch can be depressed with the end of a paper
clip, located at the bottom of the unit, that will reset the Ethernet adaptor.
The initial release of the 3500 firmware decodes 26-bit Wiegand cards only, but
Highpower plans on supporting other card formats as they are requested.
Because the Ethernet adaptor in the device is manufactured by Lantronix,
diagnostic and setup software from Lantronix is fully compatible, and can be
used to set up the IP address and other network settings. The adaptor also
has integrated Telnet and Web interfaces for setup. You can run the device in either
TCP/IP or UDP modes with this adaptor, although the Highpower HMS software
required TCP/IP operation.
Deployment Ready Packages
If you are not a
software developer and wish to deploy the 3500 immediately, Highpower provides a
standard package which includes the HMS software and
a P-300 card reader with the 3500 unit.
Highpower can help you deploy the software quickly by remoting to your
customer's PC directly via the internet. When using the HMS software with
the 3500, you can intermix Highpower's extensive line of traditional intelligent
hardware with your 3500 system, including the 8000
door controller, the STA series card readers and
the 901 Fingerprint reader.
Developer Support
Sample Code
Highpower provides a
sample application written in Visual Basic .NET to illustrate how to implement
your own server application. The Highpower sample application implements a
real time, asynchronous server that supports the basic firmware functions of the
3500 unit. Developers are free to use this code or reference this code for
use in any application
implemented for the 3500.
MODEL
3500 VISUAL STUDIO 2010 (VB.NET) SAMPLE APPLICATION
Product Manual with Command Set
The product manual
includes detailed information on the command set used to control the 3500 unit
as well as detailing the hardware connections. Highpower has worked to
make the command set simple and understandable. By connecting to the
3500's IP address and command port, you can send commands to the unit with your
software to control the unit directly. Developers typically set up an
asynchronous listener application to receive the card swipes from the unit using
either TCP/IP or UDP protocols. Responses to the unit are sent back on the
same channel to the command port for door unlocking, door position switch
monitoring and to retrieve other information from the unit.
MODEL
3500 PRODUCT MANUAL
LANTRONIX ETHERNET ADAPTOR MANUAL
Interfacing with HMS Server
In order to reduce
development time, Highpower can also provide detailed information on how to
interface your application to programming interfaces built into our HMS Server
software. Instead of implementing communications to the device directly in
your application,
you may instead choose to use our proven software server application to talk to the 3500
unit through programming interfaces. Highpower can provide custom
integration commands in HMS Server tailored to your application needs.
Contact the factory directly for help with HMS integration.
Other Specifications
The 3500 unit is
approximately 5" x 7 1/2" x 1.75" in physical dimension. Housing material
is Flame Retardant ABS plastic rated UL94-V0. Designed and assembled in
U.S.A. with foreign and domestic components.
Enterprise-Level
features of the HMS
Software
The HMS Software has
the ability to run multiple client computers connected to one common Server
application. The Server application handles all of the communication
between the client applications and directly to the hardware. Utilizing
Microsoft SQL Server as a database, IT departments can leverage their existing
database tools and backup procedures with the HMS software. The client
software, server software and database can all be on separate computers or can
be on the same computer. Their is no arbitrary limit on the number of
devices that can be managed with the HMS Software and no software imposed
limitations on the number of clients that you can attach to the system.
The only limitations in the system is the speed of your server computer and
network speed limitations. Since the HMS software is written completely on
.NET 2.0 platform, it can be deployed on practically any modern version of
Microsoft Windows including Windows 98, XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server
2003/2008. Both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions are supported. For more
detailed information on the capabilities of the HMS Software or to download the
software visit the following link: Highpower Management
System.
System administrators
are discovering how simple it can be to manage fingerprints, proximity cards,
bar-coded cards and magnetic stripe cards with the updated HMS Enterprise
software. Why not call today and order a trial installation to see how
simple it really is? Contact us at
203-634-3900 if you have a question or need help in choosing
the proper locking hardware for your application. We have tens of part
numbers available for both magnetic lock kits and electric strikes to retrofit
to your doors.
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