Trilogy Leads Wireless Revolution

March 3, 2010
NETWORX™ enables users to wirelessly change users, schedules, lock features or retrieve audit trails from any networked PC.

Standalone access control is redefining security. The Alarm Lock Trilogy DL6100 represents a breakthrough in this regard, permitting programming and uploading/downloading activity logs of the access control unit through a network.

The DL6100 combines and expands on the advantages of standalone access control with the advantages of a networked access control by allowing the designer to combine the family of Trilogy and Networx solutions under a single database and the Windows DL software management suite.

The evolution has occurred amid a variety of social and technical transitions our industry, culture and world have experienced over the last few decades. No one element was singularly responsible for the changes. It was like synergy.

The Trilogy family of standalone access controls now includes the DL6100 Wireless Trilogy. All Trilogy Locks operate wirelessly. Except for the newest DL6100, they do require to be locally programmed, meaning a programmer must be brought to each Trilogy for uploading and downloading.

The DL6100 offers the additional ability of initiating a Global Passage and Lockdown to some or all wireless locks on the system. Global Lockdown is a much sought-after management feature used to secure a premises in a crisis. It is important to note that these Global commands may be issued from any DL6100 on the network, whether the host PC is running or not.

Trilogy NETWORX™

Trilogy Networx is an open architecture wireless access control solution which can be readily integrated for surveillance, security, and life safety. No wiring, splitters or repeaters, extra power supplies or controller panels are needed.

Used with the Trilogy Networx™ 6100, 6500, ETDLN and ETPDLN series door locks, DL-Wrndows version 4.0.0 software (or later) allows you to upload and download programming features wirelessly using a computer network.

Connected to this network is an intermediate device called a Gateway (AL-IME) that communicates via a private wireless signal to a radio located inside each door lock. It is in this way, the software allows full programming and control of each lock in the system.

Locks support up to 5,000 users with three- to six-digit numeric PIN codes and PDL-Series also support prox ID card users (virtually all HID™ format proximity technology ID cards, fobs, credentials).

Each installed system can contain from 1 to 32 Gateways¬ — ¬and each Gateway can control up to 63 locks¬ — ¬for a maximum of 2,000 locks per account.

The DL-Windows software can in theory support an unlimited number of accounts.

Each Networx™ lock can contain up to 5,000 users.

NETWORX™ enables users to wirelessly change users, schedules, lock features or retrieve audit trails of up to 35,000 events/lock from any networked PC.

WIRELESS LOCK CONFIGURATION OVERVIEW

Trilogy Locks come in several configurations which allow the installer to deliver the features required by the client at the most competitive price point.

The Trilogy Networx™ PDL6100 and DL6100 series door locks allow you to upload and download programming features wirelessly using a computer connected to a computer network without the cables and data transfer modules typically required for traditional standalone locks.

System management activities including retrieving logs, downloading User Codes and program features are possible over the network.

Alarm Lock’s DL-Windows software must be installed on the computer to be used for managing the Wireless Trilogy. The computer connects to the network and then through an intermediate device called a Gateway that communicates to a radio located inside each door lock.

Each Wireless Trilogy is factory assigned a unique serial number (similar to a MAC typically assigned to computer hardware) which the DL-Windows uses to sniff out and identify Wireless Trilogy devices in its network.

If you already are using Trilogy Locks in a premises and are planning to upgrade to DL6100’s, you can use the same database to manage all the Trilogy units.

Since Trilogy Locks may be programmed by computer or at the each unit’s keypad, system and unit configuration can be accomplished whichever sequence is most convenient to the installer and client.

As an example, Trilogy Locks may be installed keypad programmed and deployed immediately and the computer network can be configured at a later date. Or the DL-Windows can be set up in advance off site, adding doors and assigning users, etc.

Keypad programming of User Codes, Features, Time Zones, and Schedules is available as a temporary convenience to allow the lock to be put into use before installing and configuring a wireless network. Therefore, all lock programming added via the keypad cannot be retrieved into DL-Windows.

All programming done to a Trilogy through the keypad will be over-written when the Trilogy unit is enrolled into the DL-Windows system. This eliminates possible conflicts between what your installer thought he enrolled into a door and what the client wants running.

Trilogy Networx™ Locks communicate wirelessly via Ethernet or 802.11B/G for a comprehensive wireless networked door access control system, eliminating door-to-door programming and audit trail retrieval and providing all standalone Trilogy lock functionality plus new network-wide global emergency lockdown/unlock commands.

The Trilogy Networx™ and gateway modules have an integral transceiver for highly-efficient 900MHz bidirectional communications, providing longer range and less interference than with more common 2.4GHz spread spectrum devices.

Networx™ Gateways’ wireless coverage performance equals or surpasses that of 802.11, with each Gateway spanning up to 900 feet clear field range or 50,000 square feet of indoor coverage, typical. Up to 50 wall- or ceiling-mountable, compact gateway modules can be used per account and are available in wireless/hardwired and wired-only versions (with Power Over Ethernet (POE) option).

The hybrid model connects using either 802.11 or standard Ethernet cable; the wired versions use an RJ-45 Ethernet cable. Networx™ communications support both wired Ethernet 10BaseT and wireless 802.11.

Four C-cell batteries (supplied) provides 5-year-plus battery life. The locks provide automatic battery status reports at the PC; visual and audible low-battery status indicators.

Audit Trail

40,000-Event audit trail capacity.

Entries Logged with Time and Date

Critical Programming Events Logged

Uploadable using Alarm Lock’s Dl-Windows software

Lock Features

Metal Key Override for all cylindrical locks

Keypad Lockout (shuts off keypad after failed entry attempts)

Non-Volatile (Fixed) Memory

Real-Time Clock (enables time stamps on audit trail items, time zones and scheduling, etc.)

Programmable Relay (may be used for features such as door prop alarm, ambush, or alarm shunting)

Visual and Audible Keypad Feedback (for user feedback when a button is pressed, access is granted, unsuccessful access attempt etc.)

Battery Status Monitor (low battery alert)

Scheduling (500 Scheduled Events)

Automated Unlock/Lock

Enable/Disable Users

Enable/Disable Groups

Four “Quick Schedules”

Real-time clock and calendar

Programmable Timeout Function

Unattended programming updates or event log retrievals can be scheduled to run automatically

User Access Methods

Keypad Entered User Codes

ProxCard® and ProxKey® Keyfob

User Code and ProxCard® (dual authentication)

Batch Enroll – (enroll multiple ProxCards® and ProxKey® keyfobs without a PC)

5,000 User Codes

User Types include:

Master User

Installer

Manager

Supervisor

Basic User (Codes assignable to Group 1 thru 4);

Quick Enable User 300;

Guard Tour Code;

Service Code (one-time-only code);

Emergency Lock Down Code

Ambush Function

GLOBAL LOCKDOWN AND PASSAGE COMMANDS

Emergency Global Lockdown/Unlock/Free Passage may be activated from the Networx™ PC or any Networx™ lock; with or without the PC online by any authorized user with Global Permissions (Selected NETWORX™ Locks in the network may be excluded from emergency global functions, so they will ignore the Global commands.)

Secure 128bit AES PC encryption and proprietary RF-link lock-to-Gateway communication encryption protects the system from interference or tampering (WEP or WPA compatible with wireless modem).

VPN connection /remote capability for accessing the Networx™ System and controlling up to all 2000 locks per account, with all the security and peace-of-mind of your IT network. (No special modems required.)

Free Alarm Lock DL-WINDOWS software doesn’t require a dedicated computer or a special computer network or costly server software licenses. It simply runs as a secure Microsoft Windows-based application, on any computer system (as basic as a desktop or laptop PC), a wired or wireless router, and a gateway module or on a an internal LAN with static IP address (recommended). MS XP and Vista supported (v4.01 or higher).

For the fastest and most reliable networked system, in discovery setup mode, the system will locate and DL-WINDOWS will display each lock’s signal strength at each installed gateway, so you can select it and optimize reliable communications and eliminate guesswork.

Trilogy Networx™ Lock Specifications:

Weatherproof locks for indoor/outdoor use with wide operating temperature range (-31 to 151 degrees F).

Industrial strength BHMA Grade 1 durability and vandal-resistant all-metal keypad for PIN codes. PDL6100 version, also has built in HID Prox reader. ADA-compliant leversets.

Easy-to-install modified ANSI A115 Series door prep; easily/neatly retrofit standard cylindrical knobsets and mechanical standalone locks, in under an hour.

Non-handed. 3 hour UL fire-rated deadlatch. Supports 1-5/8 to 1-7/8” door thickness; 2-3/4” backset (2-3/8” available.)

Manual key override standard; most IC cores also supported on interchangeable core models.

Wide choice of seven architectural finishes.

For additional Locksmith Ledger articles on Trilogy locks, visit Web Site: www. tinyurl.com/trilogy0310

About the Author

Tim O'Leary

Tim O'Leary is a security consultant, trainer and technician who has also been writing articles on all areas of locksmithing & physical security for many years.