3GS+

Enterprise Edition

Engineer’s Guide
Version 3.16

October 2003
EUROPLEX 3GS+ ENTERPRISE EDITION

Contents
About this manual ............................................................................................................... 3
Europlex Technologies ....................................................................................................... 3

Getting Started 4
Installation of 3GS+ Enterprise........................................................................................... 4
Introduction .......................................................................................................... 4
Basics.................................................................................................................... 4
PanelServer Functionality..................................................................................... 4
Recommended System Specifications .................................................................. 5
Prerequisites & Recommended Skills / Experience.............................................. 6
Install PanelServer Application ............................................................................ 6
Installation of 3GS+ Client ............................................................................................... 10
Prerequisites ....................................................................................................... 10
Client DCOM Setting ......................................................................................... 10
Install Client Application.................................................................................... 12
Ready to Run ...................................................................................................... 14
Importing of Version 2 Data into 3GS+ V3 (after installation of 3GS+ Client) ............... 14
Setting up Communications and Installation Details ........................................................ 15
Important Notes .................................................................................................. 15
Communications Settings ................................................................................... 15
Installation Directory.......................................................................................... 16
Adding a New Installation .................................................................................. 16
Group Installations ............................................................................................. 17
Connection Details ............................................................................................. 17
Communicating with Panels ............................................................................... 18
System Options ................................................................................................................. 19
General ............................................................................................................... 19
User Interface ..................................................................................................... 20
Dial Scheduler/Lighting...................................................................................... 20
Card Interface ..................................................................................................... 21
Network Administration ................................................................................................... 22

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About this manual

3GS+ Enterprise access management software has been developed to allow you
to manage and monitor 3GS Access Control systems directly from your PC.
This manual assumes a working knowledge of card access control and should be
read in conjunction with the 3GS Integrated Systems Technical manuals, and
with the 3GS+ User Guide.
This manual describes the installation and configuration of 3GS+ Enterprise. For
further information on 3GS and 3GS+, contact your distributor or Europlex
Technologies Technical Support at the addresses and numbers given below.

Europlex Technologies
Website: http://www.europlex.ie

Europlex Technologies [Ireland] Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Europlex) 2003.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer
language in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical,
chemical, manual or otherwise without the prior written permission of Europlex.

Europlex Technologies [Ireland] Ltd.

Clonshaugh Business and Technology Park, Clonshaugh, Dublin 17, Ireland.
Tel: +353 - 1 – 2500500. Fax: +353 - 1 – 2500590. e-mail: [email protected]
For Technical Support, call 1890 886500

Europlex Technologies [UK] Ltd.

Ground Floor, Trent House, University Way, Cranfield Technology Park,
Bedford MK43 0AN, England. Tel: +44 - 1234 - 757100
Fax: +44 - 1234 – 757101. e-mail: [email protected]
For Technical Support, call 0870 1789500

Note: For Continental Europe, please use the UK Technical Support number.

E-LAB-1298 3GS+ Engineer Guide Issue 01 2003

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EUROPLEX 3GS+ ENTERPRISE EDITION

Getting Started

Installation of 3GS+ Enterprise

Introduction
3GS+ Enterprise is a multi-tiered client server application for the configuration,
monitoring and control of Europlex’s 3G3 Integrated Controller. 3GS+
Enterprise is scalable, it can be as small as a Standalone PC with a single directly
connected 3GS+ Controller or a complex WAN (Wide Area Network) solution.

Basics
3GS+ EnterpriseEdition solution consists of 2 programs
• PanelServer – Server Application
• 3GS+ V3 – Client application
In a typical configuration, the PanelServer PC and a number of Client PCs are
networked as a small LAN (Local Area Network). All communications to the
3GS+ Controllers are via the PanelServer PC.

PanelServer Functionality
Communications Server
• Up to 256 independent multi-threaded Com Ports
- Modems (PSTN & ISDN TA)
- Direct RS-232
- Multi-drop RS-422
• 1000 TCP/IP connections

Central Database
• Single database located on Server PC
• Native Microsoft Access
• ODBC Level 2 compliant
• ODBC linkages to Securit Badging System (Others possible)
• Future integration to SQL Server or other Data Bases on a per
project basis

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Sessions
• 7 concurrent clients sessions with the PanelServer

Recommended System Specifications

The specifications below (or better) are recommended for the 3GS+ Enterprise
Edition solution.

PanelServer PC
• PIV 2Gighz
• 512 Mbytes RAM
• 80 Gb Hard Disk
• Graphics Card supporting at least 1024 x 760 pixels
• Windows NT Service Pack 5 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3
(Win 95/98/XP/ME not an option)
• CD Rewriter Drive
• Ethernet Card (10/100 base)
• RS232 Communication Ports

Client PC
The client application will successfully operate on a minimum specification of
• PIV 1.2Gighz
• 128 Mbytes RAM
• 20 Gb Hard Disk
• Graphics Card supporting at least 1024 x 760 pixels
• Windows NT Service Pack 5 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3/
Windows 98 se (Windows 95, ME and XP not an option)
• Ethernet Card (10/100 base)

Communications
Multi-com ports for PanelServer PC

Note: It is strongly recommended that a multi-drop of alarm panels be split to

single controllers connected to individual COM ports. This allows each panel to
polled independent from the others.

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Prerequisites & Recommended Skills /

Experience
Installer Skills
It is assumed that the 3GS+ Enterprise Edition installer has prior experience of
Network / IT administration on a Window NT / 2000 Server-based LAN.
3GS+ Enterprise Edition uses DCOM technology for transactions between the
3GS+V3 Clients and PanelServer application. Prior experience using the
DCOMCFNG utility, while not essential, would be advantageous. For the less
experienced step-by-step instructions are detailed below.

LAN Configuration
The following must be configured as a prerequisite to installing the 3GS+
Enterprise Edition.
• Ensure all client users have appropriate logon rights to the Windows
NT/2000 Server.
• Each client PC must have a Network Mapping to the Server’s Drive C:.
• For all further instructions this will be considered Drive F: of the client
PC.

User Permissions
When setting up users, you must assigned the users permission to run
PanelServer via DCOM from the Client PC.

Note: If a User is configured as a member of the Administrators Group, they will

receive the required permission automatically.

Important: TCP/IP Address

The PanelServer PC needs to be uniquely identified on the network by a TCP/IP
address. Please take careful note of the address. It will be required when
installing the client application.
Ensure that a Static IP address is used for the Panelserver PC.

Install PanelServer Application

Subject to the above prerequisites, you are ready to install PanelServer on
Windows NT/ Windows 2000 PC.

To Install from CD
Simply run the Setup utility from the Installation CD (PanelServer sub directory)
For instruction purposes it is assumed that PanelServer is installed to the C:\PS
directory.

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DCOM Authentication Setting

For 3GS+ Enterprise Edition the DCOM Default Authentication must be set to
NONE.
• Click on the Start button and run DCOMCNFG on a command
prompt.

• From the DCOMCNFG window select the Default Properties tab.

• One of the displayed settings will be Default Authentication. This
should be set to NONE.

• Also ensure that DCOM is enabled for this PC.

Press Apply to effect the new changes.

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DCOM Application
The PanelServer Application must be configured for Interactive User via
DCOM.
• Re-run DCOMCNFG if necessary
• Click on the Application tab. A list of applications will be
displayed.
• A file named PanelServerV1.xxx will be contained in the list of
applications.
• Highlight the PanelserverV1 entry and click on the Properties
Button
• The properties will be displayed as shown below.

• Click on the Identity tab

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• Select the Interactive User Option and press Apply to effect and
OK to quit

The required DCOM settings have now been configured and the PanelServer
installation is now complete.

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Installation of 3GS+ Client

Prerequisites
Before installing the Client, the following tasks should have been completed.

• Client operators should have appropriate NT permissions to log

onto and access the Panel Server PC.
• The Client PC should have a Network Mapping to the drive of the
Panel Server PC.
• The Panel Server application should be installed on the server PC.
• DCOM should be enabled and configured correctly on the Server
PC.
• The PanelServer PC has been assigned a TCP/IP address.

Note: Ensure that the PanelServer PC has been assigned a Static IP Address.

Note: The Panel Server Mapped Network drive must be specified later in an .INI
file. For further instruction purposes this will be considered F:. Adjust
accordingly if mapped as a different letter.

Client DCOM Setting

The Client PC must have DCOM installed and enabled. DCOM is typically
enabled on Windows NT / Windows 2000 PCs by default. However a Windows
9x Client PC may require DCOM to be installed or enabled.

It is recommended to verify the DCOM configuration on the Client PC for all

Operating Systems attempting installation.

Test for DCOM

Attempt to run DCOMCNFG application

• Click on the Start button and run DCOMCNFG on a command

prompt.

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If this fails DCOM needs to be installed (see Install DCOM below).

Install DCOM (If required)

The 3GS+ Enterprise Edition installation contains the utility DCM98CFG in the
DCOM sub directory. Simply run this utility to automatically install DCOM on
the Client PC. DCOMCNFG should now run.

Verify DCOM Authentication Level

The default DCOM Authentication Level must be set to NONE for PanelServer.

• From the DCOMCNFG window select the Default Properties tab.

• One of the displayed settings will be Default Authentication. This
should be set to NONE.

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• Also ensure that DCOM is enabled for this PC.

Pressing the Apply button will affect the new changes.

Install Client Application

Run the Setup utility from the Client Directory of the Installation Disk.
• When prompted specify the application location. For the purposes
of these instructions, it is assumed the Client Application is
installed to the directory C:\3GS+Client. Adjust accordingly if
installed to a different directory
• The installation processes will prompt for the IP address of the
Panel Server.
• During installation you may be informed of any attempts to
overwrite current drivers with earlier versions. In all instances you
should choose the default prompt.

The client application is now installed and ready to be configured.

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ODBC Setup
The data reports generated by the Client Application are based on the Crystal
Report Generator. To support reports from non Microsoft Access Data an ODBC
link needs to be configured. ODBC will normally be setup automatically the first
time 3GS+ Client is run.
If this is unsuccessful for any reason, it can be setup as follows:
• From the Control Panel of your PC run the utility ODBC Data
Sources (32 Bit)
• Select the System DNS tab and choose ADD.

• From the list of Database Drivers choose Microsoft Access Driver

and press Finish. This will display a setup window.
• Specify Data Source Name as fbaccloc.
• The Description is not critical and may be worded as Crystal
Report ODBC
• SELECT the Database as F:\PS\3GS+MAIN.MDB (or as
3GS+MainLocation)
• Press OK. The ODBC setup is complete

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Ready to Run
Ensure that Panel Server application is running on the Server PC, before
attempting to run the 3GS+ Client application.

Note: When 3GS+ Client is run for the first time it will ask you to select the
location of the Panelserver.exe file. Use the browser screen to locate the
Panelserver.exe file and click on Open.

The default operator codes for both applications are

• Username: MASTER
• Password: 1111
Details for Communication Port Configuration and Installation Details are
specified from within the Client application.

Importing of Version 2 Data into 3GS+ V3 (after

installation of 3GS+ Client)
It is necessary to import or disallow the importing of Version 2 data onto your Pc
once you have completed the installation of the 3GS+ Client software. For more
information please see the Importing Data from Version 2 section in the
3GS+ User Guide and the Online Help file.

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Setting up Communications and Installation Details

Important Notes
• The features to Set Up Com Ports and Edit Installations are only
available when no clients are online to installations.
• It is recommended to set up the communication ports prior to the
Installation Details.

Communications Settings
The communication ports of the 3GS+ Enterprise Edition Server PC are assigned
and configured from the Client.
The Com Port feature is available from the File Menu.
Assigned Com Ports are displayed on the left. The details of the selected Port are
displayed on the right.

Add a Port
• To add a new port click on the Add command button.
• Select from the list of available Com Ports. Only ports available at
the PanelServer PC will be listed.
• Specify the Communications Type associated with this Port.
• Specify the appropriate Baud rate, Parity and Stops in turn.
• For Modems an AT command must be entered in to the
initialisation window.
• Click Save to save your settings. You will be prompted that
Panelserver will re-initialise. Click OK.

Editing a Port
Select the particular Com Port to edit by selecting from the list displayed on the
left.

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Installation Directory
When connecting to the panel for the first time, in the Configuration menu
select Edit Installation to bring up the Installation Directory window, from
which you can edit your Installation Name.
Use the Installation Window to enter the details of your panel.
The Access Code will prevent unauthorised editing of the panel details. Again
this must match the code entered in the Set Data Format panel menu.
Select the correct Panel Type from the drop down list, e.g. 3GS Version 5.
In a situation where you have a number of panels within the same building, you
can combine these panels into one group using the Installation Group option.

Adding a New Installation

To add a new installation click on the Add command button. On the Installation
tab enter details of
• Installation Name (required)
• Autodial ID (Unique Identifier - required)
• Address (optional)
• Panel Type (required)
• Installation Group
• Date and Time Check

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The Autodial ID entered here must be the same as that programmed into the
panel using the Autodial ID variable (See 3GS Programming, Set Data Format
menu). The PC and AutoDial IDs must be the same to enable upload/download
facilities.

The Access Code will prevent unauthorised editing of the panel details. Again
this must match the code entered in the Set Data Format panel menu.

Select the correct Panel Type from the drop down list, e.g. 3GS Version 5.

When you have entered your panel details, click Save to save your settings. You
will be prompted that Panelserver will re-initialise. Click OK.

Group Installations
Through the File menu or using the Group Installation button on the
Installation directory the screen for setting up installation groups can be
displayed. An installation group requires a group installation number and a
description. The installation groups that have been set up are then available in
the Installation Directory for assigning to panels.

Connection Details
Under the Connections tab up to 3 methods of connecting to each panel may be
specified. To specify a connection ensure its check box is enabled.
Specify the
• Type
• Description
• System ID
• Com Port

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Click on the Save button when finished. The PanelServer will then re-initiate.

Communicating with Panels

When you have finished setting up the installations, the Current Panel window of
the client application displays a full list of installations. Click an Installation
Name to work with a particular panel (online or offline).
Clicking on the Panel Icon shown in the list controls the communications status
and toggles the panel Online or Offline.

Note: To work online with any type of panel, click on the Keypad icon to the left
of the installation name.
To work offline with any type of panel, click on the installation name itself.

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System Options
System options allows you to configure a number of 3GS+ administrative
options:

General
Set the following options:
Autobackup Day in Month. The day of the month on which the reminder
message to backup and purge the database will appear.
Autobackup Rules. Select Yes to receive a system reminder to backup and
purge the database on a monthly basis.
Number of Global Cards. The maximum number of global cards permitted in
the database.
Enable Time and Presence System. Select Yes or No to enable this option.
Note that the Time and Presence module is needed for this option, and is not
included in Version 3.x by default.
Set Database Location. Select a location on the hard drive or network in which
to store the backup log events.
Automatic Downloading of Holidays. Automatically download holidays to the
panel when you go online.
Automatic Map Selection. In the event of an alarm, select the type of map
(main map or submap) that will appear on the screen. You can also select No
Maps to disallow automatic map popup.

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User Interface
Set the type of screen icon to indicate comms. status, as it is displayed on the
current panel window.

Dial Scheduler/Lighting
Set options for automatic dialling of the panel and uploading of logs,. The panel
lighting option is for use with specific panel lighting systems, and is used in
specialised 3GS software.

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Card Interface
Set restrictions for editing and creating Global and Normal Cards. Note that the
options require two valid user passwords to complete the operation.

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Network Administration

This section explains how to use the DCOM configuration utility

DCOMCNFG.EXE to configure DCOM for remote client/server applications.
Incorrectly setting up security for DCOM client/server applications will typically
result in the following errors:
Run-time error '429'
ActiveX component can't create object.
-or-
Run-time error '70'
Permission denied.

The following settings will enable Windows NT or Windows 2000 to

communicate with an NT or Windows client and back (assuming that there are
no firewalls or proxy servers involved).
To configure your Visual Basic DCOM "Server" on an NT or Windows 2000
machine, follow these steps:

Note: DCOMCNFG will only show .EXE servers. It will not show DLL servers.

1. Run DCOMCNFG.EXE.
2. From the Applications tab, select the DCOM Server application.
This will be represented by its ProgID - a friendly name, such as
"Your DCOM Server". It can also be known by its CLSID (a GUID
- Globally Unique Identifier) such as 5BD7512F-3F2B-11D0-
B4D2-02E0C911A7B1.
3. Double-click the Server application or click the Properties button to
view the properties of the server application.
4. Select the Security tab.
Make the following changes:

IMPORTANT: The following changes will allow anyone at all to

launch the server. These settings are just for getting the servers up and
running in development mode for debugging purposes. They are not
intended for specific DCOM security on a target platform distribution.

CUSTOM ACCESS PERMISSIONS:

Everyone -allow access
System -allow access
Interactive -allow access

CUSTOM LAUNCH PERMISSIONS:

Everyone -allow launch
System -allow launch
Interactive -allow launch

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5. Select the Identity tab, and then select "The Interactive User."
6. Click OK, and then click OK again.
If your DCOM server is raising events to your clients or using client callbacks,
then you will also need to make the following changes to the default settings for
your NT or Windows 2000 'Server' machine:
On the NT or Windows 2000 SERVER machine:
1. Using DCOMCNFG.EXE, select the Default Properties tab.
2. Set the Default Authentication Level to "None."
3. Set the Default Impersonation Level to "Identify."

NOTE: Make sure you test your DCOM application when the client and the
server are running under different user accounts.

If your application works at this point, then you should not need to make any
configuration settings on the client machines.
If your client is receiving events raised from the server or has enabled the server
to call it back, then the following steps might be necessary, depending upon your
specific network:

To configure your Visual Basic DCOM "Clients"

On the NT or Windows CLIENT machines:
1. Using DCOMCNFG, select the Default Properties tab.
2. Set the Default Authentication Level to "None."
3. Set the Default Impersonation Level to "Impersonate."
On the WIN95 CLIENT machines (if receiving events):
1. Using DCOMCNFG.EXE, select the Default Security tab.
2. Click Edit Default.
3. Grant Access to "The World" user.
Modifying and setting security settings should be done with caution and
awareness. Before modifying security settings, be sure that you understand the
security implications involved. The above client settings are only necessary in
certain network situations and can be added via setup code to the clients registry.

Note: DCOM registry keys are intended for Legacy software and not for
Proprietary software or programming convenience.

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