Network Global IO Configuration

Owned by Vinodhraj DP
Last updated: May 17, 2024
5 min read

Network Global IO refers to the mechanism where a set of controllers share credential zone access information and Global Control Zone data to implement Occupancy and Anti-Passback features as well as trigger Control Zone functionality across these controllers.

In older releases Global IO is limited to controllers on the same Port (RS-485 communication channel). Velocity Web Client v3.8.6 introduces SNIB3 based Networked Global IO (NGIO) that expands this concept to work over a set of controllers that are logically grouped by SNIB3s communicating over a TCP/IP Network.

Controllers participating in the Networked Global IO may include the controllers with networked SNIB3s as well as any downstream RS-485 connected controllers (connected via SNIB2 or SNIB3).

To enable individual controllers to participate in the Network Global IO Credential Management Group or Network Global IO Master Control Zone Group, the participating controllers must have their “Enable Global Credential Management” or “Enable Global Master Control Zone” options enabled within the Controllers Setup tab.

The following are terms/concepts that are used throughout this document.

  • Global IO Topic - The type of Global IO data the server will be publishing:

    • Global Credential Management

    • Global Master Control Zone

  • Global IO Server - A SNIB3 designated to publish a Global IO Topic to which SNIB3 clients subscribe to receive Global IO data. One physical SNIB3 can be configured to publish both Global Credential Management and Global Master Control Zone topics.

  • Global IO Client - SNIB3 client subscribes to the server to receive Global IO topic data from other SNIB3 clients and sends its locally generated GIO-related data to the Global IO server. Clients can publish/subscribe to both Global MCZ and/or Global Credential Management servers simultaneously.

  • Networked Global IO Group - The set of controllers, with external or built-in SNIB3 (i.e., Mx1), configured to communicate to the same Global IO Server for a given topic. One or more of the SNIB3s in the group may also have downstream RS-485 controllers (connected via SNIB2 or SNIB3) that can also participate in the group.

  • Global IO Package (GIO PKG) Firmware -  With the launch of SNIB3 v4.0, all newly purchased SNIB3, and Mx1 shipped from the factory will have the Global IO Package (GIO PKG) firmware installed. However, users updating their existing SNIB3 firmware will have to manually download the GIO PKG to each SNIB3/MX1 that will be configured as a Networked GIO Server only. 

This table describes each of the menu items and fields.

Action image-20240515-165800.png  

Select or Right Click on a point so the Action menu activates and displays the actions that can be performed.

Name

Displays the name for this NGIO (up to 64 characters).

Search & Sort  Arrows

Click the Link to know more about the Search & Sort Arrows functions.

Topic

Displays the defined Network Global IO as Credential Management or Master Control Zone.

Pagination

Click the link to know more about Pagination functions.

Add Network Global IO Credential Management Group

A Networked Global IO Credential Management Group is a Velocity abstraction that allows you to easily define and configure a SNIB3-based network topology for globalizing the Credential Management topic.

The group allows you to select which SNIB3 port will act as the Global IO server and which SNIB3 ports will be member clients. One or more of the SNIB3 ports in the group may also include downstream RS-485 controllers (connected via SNIB2 or SNIB3) that can also participate in the Global IO Group.

To add a Global IO SNIB3 as a server that member SNIB3s can subscribe to get global IO data:

  1. In the Device Control tab, expand the Velocity Configuration tree to display the Network Global IO Configuration.

  2. Click on Add Network Global IO Credential Management Group. 

The Add Global Credential Management Group window is displayed.

  1. Enter a name for this group in the Name field (up to 64 characters).

  2. Click the Global IO Server drop-down and choose a SNIB3 port that you want to add as the Global IO server. The SNIB3 selected as the server is automatically added as a client to itself.

  3. Use the right arrow image-20240510-071324.png button to select the SNIB3 ports displayed on the left side of the window panel that are available as eligible members to join the client members on the right side.

  4. The right side of the pane is the list of SNIB3 member clients that are part of the Global IO Group. These member clients subscribe to the Global IO server to receive data from other member clients.

A SNIB3 client can be a member of ONLY ONE group for a given topic (Credential Management or Master Control Zone). However, you can add the same SNIB3 client for a Credential Management group server and one for a Master Control Zone group server.

  1. Also, you should remember that when a SNIB3 is chosen to be a Server and is moved to the Client Members pane, it cannot be removed using the image-20240510-071440.png button, the reason being that the server is implicitly a client to itself. Later, if you choose a different server, then the existing server will become a client and it can be removed.

  2. Click Save Changes to save the Global IO Credential Management Group and it appears in the Network Global IO Configuration window.

Add Network Global IO Master Control Zone Group

To add a Global IO SNIB3 as a server that member SNIB3s can subscribe to get global IO data:

  1. In the Device Control tab, expand the Velocity Configuration tree to display the Network Global IO Configuration.

  2. Click on Add Network Global IO Master Control Zone Group.
    The Add Global IO Master Control Zone Group window is displayed.

  1. Enter a name for this group in the Name field (up to 64 characters).

  2. Click the Global IO Server drop-down and choose a SNIB3 port that you want to add as the Global IO Server. The SNIB3 selected as the server is automatically added as a client to itself.

  3. Use the right arrow button to select the SNIB3 ports displayed on the left side of the window pane that are available as eligible members to join the client members on the right side.

  4. The right side of the pane is the list of SNIB3 member clients that are part of the Global IO Group. These member clients subscribe to the Global IO Server to receive data from other member clients.

A SNIB3 client can be a member of ONLY ONE group for a given topic (Credential Management or Master Control Zone). However, you can add the same SNIB3 client for a Credential Management Group server and one for a Master Control Zone Group server.

  1. Also, you should remember that when a SNIB3 is chosen to be a Server and is moved to the Client Members pane, it cannot be removed using the button, the reason being that the server is implicitly a client to itself. Later, if you choose a different server, then the existing server will become a client and it can be removed.

  2. Click Save Changes to save the Global IO Master Control Zone Group and it appears in the Network Global IO Configuration window.