Learning about Device Management

Device Management is the Ambiance module where you configure encoders and, when licensed for online communication, work with the devices that support online communication.

Encoders

An encoder is the embedded device used to encode physical keys with configuration data from Ambiance. Before you can encode or read a physical key, you must connect and configure at least one encoder. Encoders that have been configured in Ambiance are listed in Device Management > Encoders with the current status (offline, online or Unsupported configuration), firmware type and communication mode (TCP/IP or USB).

Ambiance supports the following:

• dormakaba RFID Encoder I—Legacy encoders. Unsupported configuration for enhanced security mode.
• dormakaba RFID Encoder II—Required for enhanced security mode. The part number 75720 displays on the underside of the encoder. Unsupported configuration when Enhanced Security Mode is disabled.

For the latest supported firmware versions, refer to the product release notes.

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites are automatically met during initial Ambiance installation.

• The Ambiance Client is installed.
• The Ambiance Client service is started.
• The Ambiance Client configuration file is automatically configured with the correct IP address.

USB connection method

The encoder must be connected via USB cable to the workstation. You must configure an encoder for each workstation used to encode and read physical keys. Multiple workstations can share the same encoder.

TCP/IP connection method

The encoder must be connected via USB cable to the workstation for the initial configuration.

TCP/IP encoders communicate directly with the Ambiance Server (not to workstations) via LAN cable. You only need to configure the encoder once to use with multiple workstations. The encoder must be connected to the internet to be online.

If you change the connection method to TCP/IP after saving the initial configuration, you must reinitialize the encoder (unplug/replug).

Registered gateways and paired access points

Gateways are the network devices which are paired to access points for online communication to perform remote operations and receive access point events. After commissioning and connecting gateways to the Ambiance Server, the devices are listed in Device Management. When a gateway status is Online, access points can be paired. Multiple gateways can be connected to Ambiance, but an access point can be paired with only one gateway. For more information about working with online communication, see the Ambiance User Guide.