DSX New Release Features
Access Levels Contain Device (Door) Locator
Starting in Version 3.7.134 / 4.8.93 Access Level has a new tab that will show the user which access levels contain a selected device. The data is displayed in a text box that can be copied and pasted into any other application for reporting, printing, and emailing. This new View streamlines the effort in locating all of the access levels that contain a specific user selected Device (door).
All Reader Access Audit Report / Device Access List
This report known as the "Device Access List" is only
available in the SQL Version of WinDSX. This report displays every
door the searched for Card Holder(s) has access to in each location
and the name of the Time Zone assigned to each door. The Report only
includes Active Cards and displays the door and Time Zone
information for the doors in the Active Access Levels assigned to
the card whether they be Permanent or Temporary.
The report includes the Name, Card Number, Location and Device
Number, Door Name, and the Name of the Time Zone assigned to that
door for each person in the report. Each Door listed has a sign off
field for a checkmark or initials. The report is run under
System/Reports/Card Holder/All Reader Tab.
FIPS 201 Approved Products List
As of September 2011, DSX Access Systems, Inc. is on the Approved Products list for FIPS 201. Below is a link to the listing. FIPS 201 Approved Products List: #614 http://fips201ep.cio.gov/apl.php
AES-256 Encryption Certification
WinDSX and the 1040 Series Controllers have the ability to encrypt communications with AES-256. The implementation has been certified and is listed on the following NIST page. http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cavp/documents/aes/aesval.html The page provides technical information about implementations that have been validated as conforming to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Algorithm, as specified in Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 197, Advanced Encryption Standard. List #s 1628 & 1629.
This new Feature functions in both the WinDSX and WinDSX SQL software.
DSX-AES256 bit encryption is available for panel and PC
communications. Once purchased and enabled in the DSX Features Key
there is an Encryption Key that can be implemented to encrypt
communications between the Comm Server and the Workstations. There
is also an encryption key that can be implemented optionally and
individually for each Location. Once communication is encrypted from
the Comm Server to the Master Controller the encryption is
propagated to all controllers in that location.
1. This feature requires firmware version 3181 or higher in all
controllers.
2. WinDSX 3.7.108 or WinDSX SQL 4.8.65 and higher.
3. The AES-256 feature must be purchased and enabled in the USB
Features Key.
Access Level History Audit Report Feature
WinDSX SQL (only) 4.8.100 and higher will create a history of all changes that are made to a cards access level assignment. The changes can come from adding or removing access levels to a card or by editing an access level directly. The software will create a log of all changes that can be searched and produce reports. This is an optional feature that is enabled by the software features key. This report has its own title under System/Report/Access Level History
Alarm Emails and Text Messages can now use Free Email providers
WinDSX 3.7.138 / 4.8.97 can now use Free Email providers such as GMail and Yahoo to send system alarms via email.
Add Companies through API
The WinDSX DataBase Management API that allows outside manipulation of card holders can now be used to add companies into the DSX database. Starting with WinDSX 3.7.136 / 4.8.95
DSX-USB Communications Interface
1/31/2011 marks the release of the new DSX-USB Communications Interface. This module is a USB to RS-232 or RS-485 Converter that can be used for DSX Controller communications. Look at the DSX Hardware page for a cut sheet on this module. http://www.dsxinc.com/hardware.htm
Webcam Support
WinDSX SQL 4.8.87 and WinDSX 3.7.130 now support a USB WebCam
to capture Card Holder images. Webcams do not require a USB Features
Key.
Bar Code 128
WinDSX will now accommodate Barcode 128 for badging systems with Bar
Code requirements. There is a Healthcare variation to this for
special bar code applications. Available in WinDSX SQL 4.8.82 and
WinDSX version 3.7.125
Device Summary Report
Workstation/Devices/Device Summary shows all of the controllers in
the system along with controller model, amount of RAM, and Flash
Version. This information can now be printed from
System/Reports/Device Report. When running the Device Report select
the Device Summary checkbox for a printout of the Controllers information instead
of the database device programming. WinDSX and WinDSX SQL versions
3.7.118 and 4.8.76 and higher.
Workstation - List Locations by Name
A new sort feature for Large systems with numerous Locations has
been added. This feature allows you to list all of the Locations by
Name instead of number in the Workstation program. This makes
locating a particular input and output much simpler for the operator
by allowing them to view the Locations in alphabetical order.
Located under the Customize Menu. Available in WinDSX and WinDSX SQL
versions 3.7.116 and 4.8.74 and higher.
Startup Map and Custom Sizes
Starting in WinDSX 3.7.114 and WinDSX SQL 4.8.72 Maps can now be any
size your hardware (PC and Monitor) will allow. In the past Maps had
to be a particular size. Now the size of each map can be custom
defined. There is also the ability to define a Startup Map that is
displayed automatically each time the program is started. This
Startup Map can be used to monitor the real time state of all inputs
and outputs in the system (Alarm points and Locks) and display that
status with a live ICON. Other more specific maps can be accessed
through the Startup Map.
WinDSX is ready for Windows 7 Professional®
WinDSX and WinDSX SQL are compatible with Windows 7 Professional® 32
and 64 bit Operating Systems. Before implementing Windows 7 make
sure that your peripheral devices (cameras, printers) are supported
by the new Operating System.
WinDSX and Integrated Biometrics
With WinDSX 3.7.108 and WinDSX SQL 4.8.65 and higher the TRU-650
Integrated Biometrics fingerprint reader can be integrated and used
in biometrics only or Card + Biometrics applications. With this
seamless integration, system card holders are only entered into the
WinDSX software and that data is passed to the Integrated Biometrics
Application.
WinDSX SQL and Active Directory Authentication
WinDSX SQL 4.8.65 and higher can now utilize complex logins and
passwords facilitated by "Active Directory" in Windows™.
Operator Logins can be authenticated by Active Directory instead of
WinDSX. When WinDSX SQL receives a login from an operator it sends
the login request to Active Directory (AD) for authentication. If AD
authenticates the operator they are given access to the system
according to the Password Profile assigned to them.
Backup SQL Server
WinDSX SQL 4.8.65 and higher allows for the definition of both a
primary and backup SQL Server and database path. If the primary SQL
Server fails the software can be shut down and restarted and it will
connect to the backup SQL Server and database path. DSX does not
automatically reconcile the databases when the primary returns. This
feature will facilitate off site backup SQL Servers that cannot use
SQL Clustering for redundancy.
New Access Level Manager
With WinDSX versions 3.7.108 and 4.8.65 and higher comes a new
Access Level Manager. This new more efficient manager will create
fewer access levels when combining levels across multiple locations.
This will reduce the amount of memory required to store access
levels in the panels. The trade off is that now when an access level
is edited (door add or delete) every card that is assigned that
access level will receive a new access level assignment. So editing
an access level that is assigned to thousands of cards will cause an
incremental update and download of thousands of cards which can take
some time to complete. All cards will continue to work during the
download but no other downloads can take place until it is complete.
You will not see an immediate reduction in the number of access
levels, unused access levels will not be removed until the system
runs
through daily ops at midnight on a Saturday. The first time you
login after the upgrade there will be an access level upgrade
process. This could take a while but will only occur once.
New DSX Dialup Modem
Available April 2009 - You will notice on the front page of the
website there are pictures that rotate on display. One of those
pictures is the new DSX Dialup Modem. Dialup Modem is still a viable
communications method despite most people wanting to use their
network for the communications. Not everyone has network
connectivity to every location they need to communicate with.
Central Stations use dialup communications to communicate with many
remote managed sites. One of the more recent applications for dialup
is a backup communications path for network connected Locations.
This new DSX Modem is small and DC powered. It is easily connected
to a DSX-LAN(M) module for redundancy. The unit has both an RS-232
and RS-485 communications port for connecting it to any DSX
controller without the use of a MCI module or adapter. There is a
DB9 connector for easy
connection to a serial port. This modem comes with everything needed
for any DSX dialup application. Beyond a doubt this is the best
Modem ever sold for Access Control.
Alarm Email / Text Message Notification
Alarms can now be emailed using an SMTP Server. Location, Device,
and Inputs can be individually selected to send notification to
Email Groups on Alarm. Email Groups can be one or multiple people
each with a Time Zone that determines when the alarm can be emailed
to that person. Email Groups are built from Card Holders that have
an Email address in a designated UDF field. Available in WinDSX
Versions 3.7.36 and 4.8.8 and higher.
Alarms can also be sent to Cell Phones as Text Messages. Using the
Alarm Email Notification feature, an email can be sent to a Cell
Phone as a Text Message using the cell phone provider's SMS Gateway.
Most Cell Phone providers have a SMS Gateway that will turn an Email
into a Text Message and send it to the subscriber's phone.
Comm Server as a Service
With this new WinDSX upgrade you can now have the Communication
Server program run as a service without having a user logged into
the windows operating system. This provides the ability for the Comm
Server program to run on a manned or unmanned PC. Comm Server can be
configured as a Service with WinDSX Versions 3.7.34 and WinDSX SQL
Version 4.8.6 and higher. The DSX Software Features Key monitoring
program or Keymon can also be run as a Service.
DSX Enclosures
All DSX Enclosures now come standard with removable doors. Unlock,
open, and remove the door is all you have to do during your install
to get that door out of your way. DSX now offers the DSX-1040PE-B
Battery Enclosure. Holds 10 – 12V 7AH Batteries - not included.
Click here for a more
extensive document on what has changed.