SiPass access control and management system from Siemens.
Introducing the modern development of Siemens, the SiPass access control and management system, we would like to note, first of all, that SiPass is a truly universal solution that designers and installers can use when equipping almost any facilities. Do you need to securely close two doors of a small office from unauthorized access? By choosing SiPass, you will do it easily, quickly and reliably. Do you need a small ACS with centralized control for your facility? SiPass is the best solution. Are you designing an integrated security system for a large geographically distributed facility? Offer SiPass to your customer.
The SiPass ACS family includes stand-alone, network and integrated systems. ACSStand-alone ACS is, in fact, readers-controllers that are combined in one device and combine ease of installation with very good technical characteristics.
The SiPass Networked ACS is designed to equip small facilities. The system is structured as a set of door controllers connected into a «network» by a RS485 bus. Marketers position SiPass Networked as a «boxed» solution for small facilities, easy to master by installation organizations.
The SiPass Integrated system is a solution for medium and large facilities.
A very important point: any of the SiPass systems has virtually unlimited expansion capabilities. Even autonomous devices have a centralized operating mode, which is used when it is necessary to expand the system. It is enough to switch the reader-controllers to the reader-only operating mode, install interface modules from a network or integrated system and connect the peripheral device control to the interface modules, which will transmit signals to the centralized system and control personnel access.
The SiPass Integrated System uses Ethernet architecture, which provides wide scalability and distribution of system components at large sites.
Powerful controllers provide processing of large volumes of information without the participation of a server. Thus, one central controller of the AC5100 series of the SiPass Integrated system can process data on 500,000 cardholders, more than 65,000 time periods and personnel access levels in the built-in memory.
In addition, the use of SiPass allows for the construction of an integrated security system at the facility, including video surveillance and security alarm elements. Security detectors can be connected directly to the system's interface modules or to specialized Siemens security controllers, which in this case are also connected to SiPass. The system has a large number of software options, which makes it possible to flexibly adapt to the requirements of a specific facility. Among these options, we can note, for example, a built-in graphics editor, tools for programming a set of card templates that can be used for prompt printing of any necessary text and graphic information on access cards.
An interesting feature is the ability to organize access at the elevator control level, various data synchronization modes that allow you to import and export information from the SiPass database and use it in Microsoft Office applications.
The SiPass system is designed with powerful and well-thought-out elements that enhance facility security. For example, global protection against repeated passage. In this case, information is transmitted at the controller-to-controller level without the server. SiPass Integrated software is a client-server solution that uses Microsoft Windows as an operating system (from Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003 and Windows Vista). Microsoft SQL Server is used to build the database, and for small facilities, the MSDE database, which is included in the SiPass distribution, is used.
The network part of the overall system architecture includes the SiPass server, operator stations, which can carry out various functions (HR department, security post, system administrator). It is important to note that the functional set of control elements of a given station will be determined by the privileges of the operator working on it.
The network part also includes AC5100 controllers, which interact with the server via an Ethernet interface. Each controller is equipped with a 100 Mbit Ethernet port, which allows for the transfer of large amounts of information both at the controller-to-controller level and at the controller-to-server level. Peripheral equipment (readers, locks, exit request buttons, etc.) is connected to the central controllers via interface modules. The standard option is an interface module for 2 readers.
To connect peripheral modules to the AC5100 controller, six address buses are used, each of which is an RS485 interface transmitting signals and data over a distance of up to 1 km. Interface modules can be connected to each of these buses, providing connection of 16 readers. That is, up to 96 readers can be connected to one central AC5100 controller. Interface modules can also carry other loads, for example, provide coupling with automation systems. These are AFO5100 modules, which have 16 inputs with galvanic isolation and 16 relay outputs, or multi-channel AFI5100 input modules, providing connection of up to 32 input signals and up to 4 relay outputs for control. There are ADE5300 modules, which provide connection of 8 card readers with peripheral equipment. In addition, almost all interface modules provide the ability to connect alarm loops or other components of an integrated security system.
Thus, the SiPass Integrated system ensures the use of elements of security alarm and video surveillance in a single complex. The number of central controllers is up to 500 per system. At the same time, the number of cardholders used in the system is practically unlimited.
Optionally, it is possible to use dial-up telephone lines to connect remote controllers. We will also note such software options as a video surveillance control workstation, the ability to send alarm messages via SMS or e-mail, an API interface for integration with HR databases, and a data synchronization option.
Encryption protection is used when transferring data. This applies to both operator registration in the system and data transfer between the server and controllers, as well as data transfer between controllers and interface modules.
The SiPass graphical interface is designed in a modern style and allows you to customize a set of controls, as well as manage the appearance of the system in relation to the access level and settings of a given operator. After all, SiPass allows you to segment the operator's rights in relation to different parts of the system and its different functions.
A powerful built-in reporting system provides information on the configuration stored in the database and on all events that have occurred at the facility. The system includes more than 60 standard reports, each of which can use various sorting mechanisms and filters. Filters are configured using Boolean algebra operators, that is, using logical structures of the «and», «or» level and brackets, which allows, for example, complex output of information on a given door, a given group of people and a given time interval.
Multimedia alarm management allows you to go directly from the alarm window to the layout with the triggered detector, or to the general alarm list, and also receive instructions on this alarm event, if it has been programmed.
The backup mechanisms built into the system allow manual or automatic backup of the database, system events, and, for example, in the event of a server hardware failure, quick recovery of information. An integrated security system built on the basis of SiPass can use video surveillance elements, such as video recorders or matrix switches. Integration of all Siemens video recorder models and some models from other manufacturers is supported. It is possible to view live video from any client station, place graphic symbols of video cameras for operational control on layouts, call playback of recorded video directly from the alarm list by selecting the appropriate command if this alarm has been assigned recording activation on the video recorder.
The interface to matrix switches allows switching information from video cameras to monitors based on alarm signals and managing camera switching groups and camera switching sequences using standard workstation client software.
If required by the customer, the system allows using readers of different standards from different manufacturers and, accordingly, different types of cards at one facility. For example, when you need to use cards of one standard at the checkpoint and another in some part of the office complex. You can enter information about two access cards of different standards for one owner into the database.
It is possible to use biometric readers and readers related to special cases in the system, for example, long-range readers. In conclusion, it is necessary to mention such an unconditional competitive advantage of the SiPass system as the ease of design and installation. The approach to building the system is standardized. There are lines of peripheral devices on which interface modules are located and to which low-level equipment is connected. Then these lines are connected to central controllers, after which the central part of the system is built using the entire available set of solutions for the IT infrastructure. That is, in order to quickly and effectively design and install a system, it is enough to understand the general rules for its construction.