User`s guide

21-0381E v4.7.4
Welcome Report Control Admin Sys Config
Tech-Ref
271
Note: To allow panel communications, the Guardall
Director 'activation' key must be present on the Director
PC (Director-server
PC if applicable;
V4: USB connector, V3.3.2: Parallel/printer port,
V3.3.3: Either).
In a multi-PC system, the Director-server PC and
software must be running as well. For more
information, refer to "Client/Server Issues and the
Director Server Manager (v4.7)" (a previous section).
Client/Server Operation
For a multi-PC installation, the communi-
cations software can be run on its own if
desired. This allows utilizing ports /
connections on other PCs—regardless of
whether or not they are running the Guardall
Director software.
In a client-server system, the panel connection set-up
must be done on each specific PC to be associated with
a modem and/or panel(s).
Licensing
: Client-server operation is optional, and must
be selected though the license-manager software. For
details on upgrading your licensing, refer to "Software
Activation and Licensing".
All communications modules (running on client PCs)
that are to be allowed access to the database must be
identified to the server. This is done using a "Cyclic-ID"
code that can be found by right-clicking the
LCD/Telephone
symbol on the right-hand end of the
taskbar, and selecting About. To register this value at
the Director-server PC, refer to "Client/Server Access
and Permissions".
Start Up the Communications Software
Beginning with v4.7, the Director-
communications software is installed as a
service
. This means it will start automatically
whenever the PC or operating system is
restarted.
At each
PC associated with the specific panel
connection(s), check to ensure the
communications service is running:
Detail: If the LCD/Telephone icon on the Windows
taskbar is black-and-white (colour = running), start the
communications service by right-clicking the icon, and
selecting "Start Communications".
Related Topic
: Serial Port / Modem Setup
(Communications Manager)
If prompted to set the "Server Location", refer
to the "Server Location" description (to
follow), while selecting or entering the server
name or 'IP' address. (Click Login when
finished.)
To ensure the software started: Re-check the task-bar
to ensure the LCD/Telephone
symbol appears in colour
on the right. ("Start Communications" should also
appear 'greyed-out' in its right-click menu.)
If "Cannot Connect to Server" appears
: This may mean
that you mistyped the "Server Location", or that the
Director-server PC and/or software is not running. Tip:
For more information, refer to "Client/Server Issues and
the Director Server manager".
Problems? See "Troubleshooting", to follow/below.
Identifying the Server to a PC Running
only the Communications Software
Open the Windows task-bar (move your
mouse to the bottom-right of the screen), right-
click the LCD/Telephone
symbol, and select
Server Location.
If this symbol is not present: Start up the
communications software as described previously /
above.
If the right-click menu does not appear
: This may mean
that the Director-server PC or software is not running,
or the activation key is not installed on the server (or
only) PC.
Then, refer to the "Server Location" description
(to follow) while selecting or entering the
server name or 'IP' address. (Click Login
when finished.)
If an error message appears, refer to the notes under
"Start Up the Communications Software on each
Applicable PC", previous / above.
On a typical Guardall Director workstation
, the server is
identified during login.
Add Modems / Connections for Panel
Communications
Open the Windows task-bar (move your
mouse to the bottom-right of the screen), right-
click the LCD/Telephone
symbol, and select
Port Configuration.
When the 'Device Configuration' screen
appears, right-click the screen and select Add.
Then, refer to the details for the "Port / Device
Configuration Screen" while making your
selections. When finished, click Save.
Why Can't I Change Items after Saving? You cannot
edit saved settings for a comms device. If settings
need to be changed, you must delete the specific
modem or cable-connection, and then re-add it with the
new settings. (See "If you Need to Delete..." to follow.)