General Lock Helix 100 Biometric Fingerprint Reader

To establish a basic network for this article, we will construct a three-Helix 100 network operating three doors. Each Helix 100 will be operating an electromechanical or magnetic lock whose current requirement does not exceed the installed power supply. For this application, the computer does not require internet connection to operate the Helix 100s.

We will not discuss the physical installation of the hardware, only the LAN connections and general information for setting up the system.

The equipment necessary in addition to the three Helix 100s and the computer (server), is another Helix 100 to use as an enrollment unit and Ethernet switch that provides the ability to interconnect the five components, CAT 5 cable to connect the switch to the Helix 100s and the server and wire to connect the locking devices. The provided Helix 100 software can be loaded onto the server at this time.

The Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number (i.e. 192.168.0.210 the default address for the Helix 100) assigned to each device that is part of the computer LAN in order to communicate with the server. The IP address provides identification and information that describes the location. Each device must have a different address into order to communicate. For example, to communicate with the default Helix 100 address, the computer’s IP address must be in the range of 192.168.0.1 - 192.168.0.255. Remember the default address for the Helix 100 as it comes out of the box is 192.168.0.210. This address cannot be used and must be changed if more than one Helix 100 is being installed.

To have connectivity with the four Helix 100s without going onto the Internet, the IP address of the server must be within the range provided by the manufacturer. For this installation, we changed the network IP address of the server to 192.168.0.211 and saved it. The step-by-step instructions for changing the server’s IP address vary depending upon the version of the Windows Operating System used by the server.

Once the IP address has been changed, connect the server to the switch using a correct length Ethernet (CAT 5) cable. Then connect the first Helix 100 to the switch using a CAT 5 cable. Log onto this Helix 100 by typing 192.168.0.210 into your server’s browser address bar. The login screen for this Helix 100 will appear, enabling log in and set up.

Since we are setting up more than one Helix 100, we must change the IP address of this Helix 100 to an address still within the range of 192.168.0.1 – 192.168.0.255, but NOT 192.168.0.210 (Helix default IP address) or 192.168.0.211, the address for the server. This Helix 100 will be used as an enrollment Helix device.

Once the first Helix 100’s address has been changed and saved, connect the second Helix 100 to the network using a CAT 5 cable to connect it to the switch. For the second Helix 100, we followed the same process by logging onto the default IP address, changing this address to a different address within the range and saving it. Be sure to choose a new IP address. Repeat this procedure for the third and fourth Helix 100s.

A total of four Helix 100s and a server are set up on the LAN, each having its own unique IP address within the range of 192.168.0.1 – 192.168.0.255.

Turn off the Helix 100s and the server. Turn the server on. Once the server has been powered up, plug in each of the Helix 100s. Each unit will go through the startup procedure and finish with the blue LED illuminated and an audible chirp to indicate the system is ready to enroll the administrator and the users.

To enroll fingerprint users, the Administrator fingerprint must be enrolled first. Place the crease of the administrators’ first knuckle on the locating ridge of the Helix 100, which is located just below the sensor square. Place the finger on the sensor firmly until the blue LED goes out. Repeat until the green LED illuminates, indicating the Administrator’s finger template has been successfully created. The Administrator finger template is number 0.

To enroll users, the Administrator places his or her finger on the sensor until the green LED illuminates. Quickly lift the finger and place back onto the sensor. After the green LED illuminates a second time, have the first user place his or her finger or thumb onto the sensor and complete the enrolling process. If enrollment is successful, the blue LED will illuminate and one beep will sound, indicating this is user #1.