Using triggers and actions

Triggers and Actions is a powerful feature. It can be used to report on specific events as they occur via email, SMS or by playing a sound file. When used in conjunction with I/O boards or spare Net2 Plus relays, it will enable the Net2 to automatically control various systems around a building. For example, when a user enters the building, Net2 can be configured to automatically turn on the lights. It can even be used for more complex tasks.

(AN1076 - Integrating Net2 with Lift control systems - < http://paxton.info/842 >)

To use Triggers and Actions, you will need to enable it from the menu below:

With Triggers and Actions, it is possible to send an email or SMS in response to a pre-defined trigger. For instance, if an ACU goes off line, an email can be sent to the system engineer to investigate the problem.

Email and SMS servers must be configured in the Net2 Server Configuration Utility before these options will appear in the Triggers and Actions wizard. See the last section of this document for more information.

Email and SMS text messages

Important

For Triggers and Actions to function correctly, the Net2 server PC must be running at all times.

AN1067Net2

1

2

AN1067Net2

2. Then choose the Trigger that will cause this rule to be run.

A list of the triggers and some possible applications are listed below:

Triggers and possible applications:

Trigger - When a user is granted access through a door.Application - Notification when an important person enters the building.

T - When a user is denied access through a door.A - Keep track of those users who attempt to break access rules.

T - When a token is presented to a door.A - As above, but capture both denied and granted events in 1 trigger

T - Upon double presentation of a valid token.A - Any normal token can instantly perform any action if presented twice within 3 seconds.

T - When the intruder alarm is armed.A - Use this to ensure lights are switched off when the building is empty

T - When the intruder alarm is disarmed.A - Engage building functions when the first person enters

T - When an exit button is pressed.A - Create a log of access where a token isn’t used

T - When a door bell button is pressed.A - Trigger a additional relay when the bell button on a keypad is pressed

T - When an input on an IO board is pressed.A - Provide the trigger through direct hardware input.

T - When an input on an IO board is released.A - Provide the trigger through direct hardware input.

T - When a system setting is changed.A - Monitor changes to the software to keep tabs on operators

T - When an IO board goes offline.A - Send an Email/SMS to keep alerted about access control system health.

T - When an IO board goes online.A - Send an Email/SMS to keep alerted about access control system health.

T - When a control unit goes offline.A - Send an Email/SMS to keep alerted about access control system health.

Rules

The Triggers and Actions feature is based around user defined rules. When an event occurs (Trigger) that is defined in a rule, a specific action is performed.

1. Select Triggers and Actions from tree view. Click 'Add'

3

AN1067Net2

4. The wizard will now ask for the action(s) to be performed. These options are detailed in the following sections. Click 'Next' on the wizard to select and configure the required options.

3. Follow the wizard through the next screens to configure any additional parameters (user group, door names, time zones, etc) that will further define that particular trigger event.

5. Give the rule a descriptive name and click 'Finish' to save.

T - When a control unit goes online.A - Send an Email/SMS to keep alerted about access control system health.

T - When the fire alarm goes off.A - Email a roll call report

T - When a local alarm occurs at a control unit.A - Monitor local door status - Mains fail/Tamper or door forced events

T - When a timezone becomes active.A - To link an action to the beginning of a timezone.

T - When a timezone becomes inactive.A - To link an action to the end of a timezone.

T - When the on screen lockdown button is activated.A - Allows lockdown to be activated from a single software click

T - When the on screen lockdown button is deactivated.A - Allows lockdown to be deactivated from a single software click

T- When a low battery status is reported.A - For battery powered devices, allows warning to book maintenance visits

T - When a critical battery status is reported.A - For battery powered devices, allows warning to book maintenance visits

T - When a keypad is reported as hacked.A - Alerts for when a keypad reports 20 incorrect key presses

T - At a specific time.A - Email a report to senior staff at regular intervals.

T - Run immediately.A - Great to test an action, or to trigger something off without any delay

T - When an event occurs on the Net2 entry system.A - Run triggers based on Net2 Entry activity - Events include: • Call made• Door unlocked• Door not unlocked following a call • Call not answered • Video viewed• Door unlocked while viewing video

4

AN1067Net2

(AN1066 - Installing an I/O board - < http://paxton.info/506 >)

Affect a relay

With the addition of I/O boards you can provide output relays to control other systems. (Lights, heating, etc)

As well as I/O Boards, any spare ‘relay 2’ outputs on Net2 plus that are not used for other purposes can be set in the same way.

- Select the I/O board and relay that will perform the action and what that action is to be.

Action delay timer

An action can be delayed by setting a value in this screen.

5

AN1067Net2

The Highlight button will show the inserted fields, to help you check the final layout.

Email option

Enter the email address of the recipient, sender and subject in the fields. Multiple email addresses can be used by inserting a ; between each address.

Type the message in the box. You can add event detail by selecting the required data field and clicking insert.

Example:

On {date} at {time}, {username} had an {description} event at the {doorname}

This would be sent as:

On 22/04/2007 at 11:00, Joe Bloggs had an Access Denied event at the Back Door.

A sound can be played when an event matches the rule.

Browse to the sound (*.WAV) file that you wish to play. You can find all windows sounds in the \Windows\Media folder. Click Test to verify the sound. Select the client computer(s) that you want the sound file to play on by entering the computer name into the middle box and click Add. If you wish the sound to play on the server machine, place a check in the box.

Play a sound (WAV file)

6

AN1067Net2

Enter the number that the SMS is to be sent to and then enter the message text in the same format as described previously for email messages. Multiple SMS numbers can be used by inserting a ; between each number in the list.

Example:

On {date} at {time}, {username} had an {description} event at the {doorname}

This would be sent as:

On 22/04/2007 at 11:00, Joe Bloggs had an Access Denied event at the Back Door.

SMS option

Lockdown

Lockdown is the facility to secure the site through a single action by disabling access through selected doors. This includes disabling exit buttons and relocking doors held open by time zones.

For a description of this special security feature see: AN1122 - How to configure Security Lockdown < http://paxton.info/1743 >

7

AN1067Net2

Run an .exe file

You can directly run an .exe program from a trigger.

Browse for the program, select the PC you require this to run on and click ' Next'.

Control a Door

You can directly control a door lock by selecting an action on this screen.

The open door function allows you to select any particular door open time you wish. This is particularly useful if you need to allow certain groups of people extra time to get through a door. For example, disabled users could be nominated under the ‘When a user is granted access through a door’ trigger to allow greater flexibility when gaining access to building areas.

The toggle door output simply changes the current state of the door. If open the door will close and vice versa.

Note: The close or toggle door options will not override a door that is currently held open via a Timezone.

The Hold Door Open function unlocks the door and must be reset with another T&A rule using the 'Close Door' function to relock the door.

8

AN1067Net2

If the test email fails, check that any anti-virus software is not blocking the configured port.

It is possible to test whether the port is available using HyperTerminal. Open HyperTerminal through Start/Programs/Accessories/Communications/HyperTerminal. Create a new connection. Connect using TCP/IP (Winsock). The Host address is the email server and the port number needs to be set to the correct port. If the port is available, details of the server will be shown on the screen.

Setting up the email server

Run the Net2 Server Configuration Utility. Click on the email tab and enter the relevant details for the email server. This is normally the exchange servers name or IP address.

If authentication is being used select Basic or NTLM authentication, enter the account name and password.

Check that the email configuration is correct by sending a test email. Apply your changes, restart the server, enter your email address into the box and click the Send button.

A test email should be received, confirming that the settings are correct.

Select the port number – default is 25.

Email and SMS servers must be configured in the Net2 Server Configuration Utility before these options will appear in the Triggers and Actions wizard.

9

AN1067Net2

Setting up the SMS server

Run the Net2 server configuration utility. In the SMS tab click the ‘Create’ button which will connect you to the Textanywhere website. Follow the instructions to complete the account set up process.

Log in to the Textanywhere website through the client log in link and enter your email and password. You need to note the Client_ID and Client_Pass as shown in the account details page.

In the Net2 Server Configuration Utility enter your Client_ID into the field named ’Account’ and Client_Pass into the field named ‘Password’.

The Originator field (e.g. Net2) and a billing reference, (e.g. Access Control) must also be entered.

Send a test SMS by entering a telephone number into the box and clicking the Send button. A test SMS should be received to confirm that the settings are correct.