Net2 PC HD died!!

[fiza]

In our Primary School the PC running Net2 for the Door Access System has a dead HD. I cannot get any info off of it. I have no details of the setup so does anyone know how I can get it installed and working on a new SSD? I do have the original CD that the installers left behind. The original installers have gone out of business.

[Guest Guest]

Do you have a backup of the database? That contains the product keys etc, the installer can be downloaded from Paxton you have to find it via Google though

[Bedders]

Software download link is available on their forums from this public post https://forum.paxton-access.com/posts/t123-Net2-SDK---Including-VIP-download-link-here

I'd start by either phoning the installer (if you have a maintenance contract with them), or Paxton themselves. They've been incredibly helpful in the past when I've needed advice on our system. https://www.paxton-access.com/contact-us/our-technical-support/

Edited September 30, 2020 by Bedders
added support link

[fiza]

Do you have a backup of the database? That contains the product keys etc, the installer can be downloaded from Paxton you have to find it via Google though

no backup of the database as it was not something we looked after.

[paulkerton]

no backup of the database as it was not something we looked after.

At an old job, when our system died (though the company who supported it regularly took backups) they managed to restore the information directly from the paxton access controls. How, I don't know. But they were able to pull the access data back into the Net2 that way.

[Jcx500]

we managed to get the database off the pc, we now run the net2 server on a win10 vm on our hyper v infrastructure, could you just rebuild the db as i think it scans for doors automatically if on the same subnet

 

Edit: use the NET2 Config tool to reimport the database if you manage to get it

Edited September 30, 2020 by Jcx500

[fiza]

At an old job, when our system died (though the company who supported it regularly took backups) they managed to restore the information directly from the paxton access controls. How, I don't know. But they were able to pull the access data back into the Net2 that way.

 

The original company are no longer around. The school have switched support recently to a new company who come in when doors or the main gate have an issue but they have never touched the software. I will have to ask them if they have any knowledge of this method. Thanks

[DrBeaker]

no backup of the database as it was not something we looked after.

If it's not something you look after can you pass it back to whoever does? Be aware of scope creep and being 'helpful'.

[chazzy2501]

time to breakout the old spinrite

[MatthewL]

I recently upgraded the PC ours was running, took a backup using the config tool, restored it back in the same way. Kept same IP address the machine was on and bob's your uncle.

[fiza]

I have installed the software and there is a button to detect doors but it is not returning anything. I could add doors but it wants the serial number of the unit. I could manually rebuild the database as it is a small school if I knew where to get the serial numbers. The fobs still work but the names have all gone so I would have to get all the fobs back in and allocate them to staff in the software.

[Jcx500]

I have installed the software and there is a button to detect doors but it is not returning anything. I could add doors but it wants the serial number of the unit. I could manually rebuild the database as it is a small school if I knew where to get the serial numbers. The fobs still work but the names have all gone so I would have to get all the fobs back in and allocate them to staff in the software.

 

 

Check in the local control unit for the doors, there normally above the doors in the ceiling

[Chris_Cook]

Do you have the fobs registered in any other system?

 

Its possible to do a csv import, but in my experience bringing in the card numbers is tricky. Peoples names and departments isn't so bad, especially on a blank DB.

 

You can then use the USB desktop reader, or a door reader in desktop entry mode to quickly allocate the cards/fobs. Or there is a mobile app for the latest version, this lets you add a new token to a user from a door event.

 

Salamander have a net2 integration as well, if you use that.

 

As above, the ACU serial numbers are on the PCB inside the box. I think there is also a tool to detect the ACUs, but it needs to be on the same subnet.

 

Edit: the other option for ACU serial nos. is DHCP if that was used. I think most people set them up with static IPs though. They might show up as 'Net2plus06xxxxxx.domain.name'. The 06xxxxxx is the serial no.

Edited October 1, 2020 by Chris_Cook

[localtech]

Give Paxton a call I have found them very helpful in the past if there is a way to sort this they will help.

[fiza]

Give Paxton a call I have found them very helpful in the past if there is a way to sort this they will help.

I gave them a call and they were very helpful. the guy gave me a new copy of the Net2 software and talked me through what I need to do.

Unfortunately I have to start from scratch. They do have a configuration utility that will find the doors but it will cause them to be wiped if there is no info in the Database.

First thing I have to do is create users in the Database and then take each fob and assign it to a user.

When that is done I can use the config utility to find the doors. With the new software it will cause the Units to update their firmware but with the fobs already on the system I just need to name the doors and it should be good.

Will take time and will need to be done after school hours. Paxton were so helpful.

[hellgate24]

Just be wary if you are upgrading from an old version to version 6. As part of this it will want to do a firmware update to the door controllers when it finds them. When a firmware update on a door controller is in progress it locks the door shut until it completes. Would suggest doing this during the holidays, or wedging them open.