AIPHONE AC Series Access Control System User Guide

: June 10, 2024
: AIPHONE

AC Series Access Control System

Product Information

The AC Series Access Control System is a security solution designed to manage access to buildings, campuses, and other facilities. The system features the AC Nio web-based software for programming, managing, and monitoring the access control system. The system can be customized to fit the needs of small and large facilities with multiple partitions, sites, and areas.

System Components

AC Nio web-based software
Access control panels
Door and elevator controllers
Input and output modules
Credentials and readers
Network ports

Product Usage Instructions

Before using the AC Series Access Control System, it is recommended to read the complete set of instructions found in AC
Nio’s left-hand side menu or downloaded from www.aiphone.com. Below are the basic steps for programming the system:

Initial Setup

Open a web browser and enter [https://[AC-Nio host](https://%5BAC-Nio%20host) IP Address]:11001 in the URL bar.
Accept the EULA and fill out the customer and dealer information.
Select the network interface for the software to listen on.
Create at least one administrator account and login with the email address and password.

Create Partitions, Sites, and Areas (Optional)

If needed, create partitions to separate areas of the facility. For each partition, create a site and assign it to the partition. If anti-passback or user tracking is needed, create areas and assign them to doors.

Create Schedules

Select the partition and access type to schedule. Click and drag over the date and time access is being set for.

Add Panels, Doors, and Elevators

Add access control panels to the system. For each panel, add the corresponding doors and elevators to be controlled by the panel.

Input and Output Programming

Configure input and output modules for controlling alarms, relays, and other devices. Create access privilege groups for different levels of access control.

Adding Users/Credentials

Add users and assign credentials for granting access to the facility. Configure reader settings for each user.

Backup Programming

Backup the programming settings to avoid loss of data in case of system failure or maintenance.

Input Functions and Output Functions Network Ports

Configure input and output functions for controlling various devices and connect network ports to the system.

Introduction

AC Nio is a web-based software for programming the AC Series access control system. AC Nio is used to monitor and administer the AC Series access control system. The software can be used for system partitioning and can have up to 100,000 users per installation. It can also be used to create different sites for buildings or areas, to create schedules for access times, to add multiple panels or over-door modules to the system, and to create access privilege groups. This guide will cover basic installation and does not include advanced features or the installation of AC-Nio software.

Initial Setup
Open a web browser and enter https://[AC-Nio host IP Address]:11001 in the URL bar. When loading the web GUI for the first time, the AC Nio initial setup page will be displayed. To begin setup, accept the EULA.

After accepting the EULA, fill out the customer and dealer information on the next page. It is highly recommended to also setup email for the purpose of password recovery.

In the Server Address section of the AC Nio initial setup, select the network interface the software will listen on. This interface requires a static address or a DHCP reservation.

At least one administrator account must be created for the purpose of programming and managing the system. Additional administrator accounts can be added later. Permissions can be assigned to each administrator to delegate system management. Complete the initial administrator form and click Create Customer when finished. Login with the initial administrator’s email address and password at the login page.

Create Partitions (Optional)

Partitions are a way to separate buildings or areas in a system. Administrators can be assigned to specific partitions to delegate system management. Partitions can be created by going to the System section on the left-hand side menu and selecting Partitions. The default partition can be edited by selecting the cog wheel next to the default partition. New partitions can be added by clicking +Add .Give the partition a Name and Description. If Auto Panel Update is checked, any panel that is added to the partition will automatically be updated 15 minutes after changes are made. Click +Create to finish adding the partition to AC Nio.

Create Sites

If a new partition was created, a site must be added. In the System section in the left-hand side menu, select Sites and Areas. Click +Add to add a new site to the system. Give the site a Name, Description, Time Zone and assign the site to a Partition. Click +Create when finished.

Create Areas (optional, required for anti-passback/user tracking)
After a site has been created, Areas are created and assigned to doors so the system knows which readers grant access to areas of a building or campus. Areas are primarily used for anti-passback and user tracking via a Muster Report. To add a new area, click on the cogwheel icon, then click on the Areas tab. For the first area, rename the field labeled No Area. If adding more than one area, enter in the name and click Add .

Create Schedules

Schedules can be created for Doors, Floors, Inputs, Outputs, and Users. When scanning a card, a user may be denied access if any of these schedules are set to deny for the current time.

To create a schedule, select Schedules from the left-hand side menu under Scheduling section.

Door Schedule: Will grant or restrict access to a door based on the set time.
Floor Schedule: Will grant or restrict access to a floor based on the set time.
Input Schedule: Will enable or disable an input based on a set time.
Output Schedule: Will enable or disable an output based on a set time.
User Schedule: Will grant or restrict access to specified users based on the set time.

Note: When creating Access Privilege Groups, the User Schedule will be used to restrict access to users. Access Privilege Groups are covered on page nine of this document.

Click the tab the corresponds to the type of schedule to be created, then click Give the schedule a Name and a detailed Description.

Select the Partition(s) the schedule will used for.

Select the access to schedule. Click and drag the mouse over the date and time access is being set for.

Add Panels

Enter the setup on the panel by holding down the enter key until it asks for the pin. Once the pin is entered click the Esc button to enter the settings menu. The default pin for the panel is 0000. For security purposes, it is highly recommended to change the setup pin. The server IP address will be set to the IP address of AC Nio. The server port will not need to be changed unless the AC Nio is setup with a different communication port.

Setup the panel with a static IP address or use DHCP to give the panel an address. Select whether the panel will use DHCP or a static IP address by using the menu option Panel Comm Mode. If set to static, the Panel IP Address, Panel Subnet Mask, Panel Gateway, and Panel DNS must be set manually. On the left-hand side menu of AC Nio select “Unknown Panels”. Add the panel to the system and select which partition it belongs to. Set the name for the AC-2DM or Panel.

Unknown panels that are reporting to AC Nio will show up in the Unknown Panels list. Click the + icon to add the panel to the system.

Select the Panel Model and give it a Name and Description. Assign the panel to a Site created earlier in the guide. It is highly recommended that the Panel Password is changed for security purposes. For the Expanders option, enter the number of AC-2DE expander boards connected to the master door controller. If using the Auto Add Doors option, one of the inputs will be assigned to the Door Contact function. If there is not a door contact connected to the input, the door will be seen by the system as forced open and door release will not function. Click +Create when finished.

Add Panels Continued

After clicking +Create , a pop-up will show asking if door contacts are being used. If Use Door Contacts is checked, and a door contact is not connected to the panel, the panel will report the door as being forced open. By default, the controller will relock the door strike once the door opens. This means when the door reports Open, the door strike will not unlock. Click Save when finished.

Add Doors/Elevators

After the panel has been added, doors must be added to the panel, or renamed if added automatically. To begin adding or renaming doors, select Doors in the Hardware section on the left-hand side menu. To add a new door click +Add added door, click the cogwheel icon.

If a door has a reader, Managed will be selected for the door type. Give the door a Name and detailed Description. Select which Panel the door will connect to and select door Port on Panel. Select a reader Schedule to use.

In the reader section, give the reader a Name and detailed Description. Select the Wiegand port the door’s card reader will be wired to from in the Port on Panel field.

Inputs and Outputs

Once the door is configured, inputs and outputs for the door must be programmed. To program inputs and outputs, select Panels from the left-hand side menu under the sub section labled Hardware. Then click on the cogwheel icon for the panel with the inputs and outputs to be programmed. Click the I/O tab. Select the I/O Expander board to be edited.

Specific input and output functions can be found on the last two pages of this document.
Note: If door contact is selected as an input and no connection is made, the door will always read open and will not perform an unlock function. This is because by default, the door is set to automatically lock when the door is open.

Creating Access Privilege Groups

Access Privilege Groups are a way to delegate access for an entire group. Users can be added to Access Privilege Groups for easy management. For example, an access group can be created for different departments in a company based on the access or restrictions required for those specific employees. Under the Users section, select Access Privilege Groups, then click +Add . Give the Access Group a Name, Enter a detailed Description of the group, and assign the group to a Partition. If needed, apply a Holiday Group schedule. A Start and End date can be set for the group (optional). Once the group expires, the group will no longer grant access.

Select any existing users to be added to the group. Users can also be added when they are added to the system.

Select readers and floors users part of this group will have access to and apply a User Schedule. Click +Create when finished creating the Access Group.

Updating Panels

No changes will be in effect until the panel is updated. Click Update Panels at the top of the page to send the programming to each panel. If AC Nio goes offline for any reason, the panels will continue functioning with the programming that was last updated.

Add Users/Credentials

Scan unknown cards to add unknown credentials to the system. On the right-hand notification log, click on the message Unknown User Denied Access to [Door] due to Invalid Card or Pin.”

After clicking on the “Unknown user Denied Access” message, a page will load to add new user. The credentials are already input. Complete the First and Last Name fields.

Assign the user card Permissions.

Add the user to at least one partition.

Users and card credentials can also be imported into the system via a CSV file. This is ideal if several cards are being added to the system. For a complete guide on creating and importing a .CSV file, refer to the AC Nio settings manual.

Updating Panels

No changes will be in effect until the panel is updated. Click Update Panels at the top of the page to send the programming to each panel. If AC Nio goes offline for any reason the panels will continue functioning with the programming that was last updated.

Back Up Programming

Access the System Manager UI. https://[AC-Nio host IP address]:11002
- Credentials
- Username: ac
- Password: acaccess
Click on ‘Backup’ in the top menu.
Select the items to backup (default settings are recommended).
- Database: The AC Nio database (recommended).
- Profile Pictures: Images associated with users (cardholders) (recommended).
- Maps: Images associated with any graphical maps.
Select backup options (default settings are recommended).
- Compress Backup: Determines whether the backup file is compressed upon successful backup (recommended).
- Remove Files Older then X Days” Automatically removes .prbak files from the backup location if the age exceeds the number of days specified. Adjust to keep more backups or uncheck to keep all backups until they are manually deleted.
- Encrypt Backup with Password: Require a password to restore the backup.
Determine where the backup will be saved to. The backup can be saved to a local drive, USB drive or a network share.
Select a Backup Schedule.

Disabled: No automatic schedule. Backup is initiated by hitting the
Daily : Backup occurs once a day at the time specified.
Monthly: Backup occurs once a month on the day and time specified.

To immediately run the backup, click Alternatively, click to save the backup settings and run on the next scheduled time (if a backup schedule is set).

If folder or network permissions prevented the backup from being written, an error will be displayed. When performing the first backup, browse to the output and verify the backup has been written. This may take several minutes for larger databases.

Inputs Functions

Disabled

|

Will not react to any input status changes on the selected input.

---|---
REX (Request to Exit)| Allows the input to be used as a REX. Dry contact input can be used to unlock the associated door via the input.

Door Contact

| This input will track if the door is open or closed.

Note: If there is nothing connected to this contact and it is enabled, the REX button will not work.

Door Opener to Exit

| This input is generally used for handicapped operatiors for activating automatic door openers. Automatic Opener must be enabled in the Door Configuration Options.

Motion Sensor

|

This input function is used for external motion sensors. Unlock By Motion must be selected in the Door Configuration Options.

AUX Input

| This input function has the most configurable options, including input actions such as pulsing outputs, overriding doors, activating alarms.

Emergency Alarm

| This input function is used to receive commands from Emergency Alarm Systems. For example, this input can be set to unlock the door and play a buzzer when a fire alarm is triggered.

External Alarm Status

|

This input function is used to monitor an alarm system status. When the alarm is considered “Armed”, Readers will not accept credentials unless the user associated with that credential has the “Disengage Alarm” user privilege set to on.

Door Opener to Enter

| This type of input is generally used for handicapped operators for activating auto-door openers. Automatic opener must be enabled in the door configuration options.

Door Unlocked or Open/Prevent Unlock

|

Used in mantrap configurations. When the door is open or unlocked, this output will activate, is usually connected to an input on another panel controlling access to the same area. Connect to an input with the function “Door Prevent Unlock”.

Output Functions

Disabled

| The output is disabled and will not fire, even if instructed to by

override.

---|---

Door Strike

|

Used to define an output as being connected to a door strike or mag lock. Note: Output 1 is the only wet contact, therefore door strikes on output 2 and 3 would require an external lock power supply.

Door Opener

|

Used to define an output that is connected to the trigger Input

on an auto door opener device.

External Buzzer

|

Used for external speakers. Will activate relay when the door is forced or held open. Global buzzer option will allow all doors connected on the same panel to activate the same output.

Alarm Interface

|

This output is connected to an input on the alarm panel capable of arming the alarm system; the alarm can now be armed using a triple swipe command.

AUX Output

| An output that can be triggered from input changes or through triple swipe commands.