Communication Channel Setup

There are three different communication channels available, one of which must be assigned to a Primary PXL controller for establishing communication to the PXL controller network. Other controller types automatically have a communications channel setup and assigned when the controller is manually added, or added using Auto-Config. All Secondary PXL controllers are added to the software using Auto-configuration.

You can communicate to a PXL or EntraGuard using Doors.NET via:

• a serial connection (from the PC's physical COM port, a recommended USB to Serial adapter, or a Keri USB Comm Module)
• a Modem connection (You can use the internal modem on an EntraGuard for communication between the primary EntraGuard and an external modem at the host PC. When using the internal modem attach the phone line to TB15 located on the PCB.
• over Ethernet using a LAN module such as the LAN-520. (The LAN-520 plug-on module is only supported on EntraGuard units beginning with PCB 23217-001 Rev. E. Earlier units cannot support a LAN-520 unit.
  

Follow the set of instructions corresponding to the communication method you're using.

1. Highlight the Communication Channels node in the hardware tree.
2. Click the Serial Communication Channel icon.
   
   
   
   
3. A channel named 'New Channel' appears in the hardware tree.
4. Highlight this new channel so you can view its properties in the grid.
5. Double-click False to change it to True, this will enable the channel.
6. Set the COM port number that corresponds with the serial device being used. If you are unsure what COM port to use, go to Device Manager on the host PC and expand the node 'Ports - COM & LPT'. If the COM port is correctly installed/enabled your device will have the assigned COM port showing in parentheses, i.e (COM 3).
7. Give the Communication Channel a descriptive name.
8. Click save and the channel and its settings will be saved to the database.
9. Highlight the primary controller in the hardware tree.
10. In controller properties >> Communication Settings >> Communication Channel select the new channel from the drop-down list.
11. Click the save icon, within a few seconds events should appear in Live Events signifying the primary controller has come online.
12. A network update will also start and complete once the controller is online.

1. Highlight the Communication Channels node in the hardware tree.
   
   
   
   
2. Click the Modem Communications Channel icon.
3. A channel named 'New Channel' appears in the hardware tree.
4. Highlight the new channel so you can view its properties grid on the right.
5. Double-click False to change it to True, this will enable the channel.
6. Set the COM port number that corresponds to the modem installed on the host PC. If you are unsure what COM port the modem is using, go to Device Manager on the host PC and expand the node Ports - Com & LPT. If the COM port is correctly installed/enabled your device will have its assigned COM port showing in parentheses, i.e (COM3).
7. Give the communication channel a descriptive name.
8. Click save and the channel setting information will be saved to the database.
9. Highlight the primary controller in the hardware tree.
10. In the controller properties >> Communication Settings >> Communication Channel select the new channel from the drop-down list.
11. Enter the phone number for the modem connected to the controller at the remote site location.
12. Click the save icon, within a few seconds the controller will come online and controller events will appear in Live Events.

Note: Once connected, the modem line stays connected until manually disconnected (right-click the primary controller and select 'Disconnect'). This is important as depending on your phone system failure to do so following an update could result in a large phone bill.

Notes:

1. The LAN-520 unit must be already programmed with a static IP address, gateway and subnet prior to adding the Network Communication Channel to the PXL gateway.
2. Detailed instructions about setting up and configuring the LAN-520 can be found in the LAN-520 Setup section.

3. Support for the LAN-520 unit on Entraguard begin with PCB 23217-001 Rev. E. Earlier units cannot support a LAN-520 unit.

4. Highlight the Communications Channels node in the hardware tree.
5. Click the Network Communication Channel icon.
   
   
   
   
6. A channel named 'New Channel' appears in the hardware tree.
7. Highlight the new channel so you can view its properties grid on the right.
8. Double-click False to change it to True.
9. The default Controller and Network Timeout settings should remain at their default values.
10. Give the communication channel a descriptive name.
11. Click save and the channel settings will be added to the database.
12. Highlight the primary PXL in the hardware tree.
13. In controller properties >> Communication Settings >> Communications Channel, select the new channel just created from the drop-down list.
14. A Network channel selection will allow you to input the IP address of the LAN-520. The port number is also automatically set to the LAN-520 default of 10001.
    
    
    
    
15. Click the save icon, within a few seconds events should appear in Live Events to indicate that the Primary controller is online.