Featured Hardware: LNL-2220

Lenel Intelligent Dual Reader Controller – A Revolution in Access Control

Overview

The Lenel Intelligent Dual Reader Controller (LNL-2220) marks the dawn of a new era in access control. The LNL-2220 provides a complete access control electronics package in a single board, with features, performance and value unmatched in the industry. Combining an advanced, IP-enabled intelligent system controller with a full-featured, two-door reader interface module, the LNL-2220 is a new class of device that makes access control simpler, more powerful and more reliable. The LNL-2220 is also the perfect solution to enable any reader to become an IP reader.

Native IP for Convenience and Performance

The LNL-2220 offers a direct connection from its processor to the security LAN, providing up to eight times the throughput of serial-to-Ethernet conversion used in previous generation devices. This translates into faster downloads, snappier performance and overall a more satisfying experience for users and administrators alike. In addition to better performance, the integrated Ethernet port means fewer pieces to buy, fewer pieces to install and fewer connections—for greater reliability.

To make IP easy, Lenel has incorporated not only automatic IP address assignment through DHCP, but also the ability for the LNL-2220 to automatically register a user-specified name with a DNS server. Once that is done, the panel can be addressed through an easily-managed name, rather than through a clumsy numeric IP address. As always, Lenel strives not only to incorporate advanced technologies into its product offerings, but to do so in a way that makes life simpler for the user.

IP to the Door, Securely

There is a great deal of interest in bringing TCP/IP to the door, but there are also risks. Placing any network port outside the secure perimeter is risky—but that is exactly what an IP reader does. Pulling the reader off the wall provides a physically ready connection for hacking into a private LAN. Mitigating this risk can be costly and difficult. The LNL-2220 allows you to bring the LAN to the very edge of the secured area, but not outside of it! Tampering with a reader connected to the LNL-2220 will only provide access to dedicated reader wiring, rather than a direct link into the LAN, thus thwarting any hacker’s intentions. No other solution currently offers the convenience of IP-to-the-edge with the security of dedicated reader wiring through the secure perimeter.

A New System Architecture

Traditionally, an advanced access control system has consisted of several layers of hardware, with each layer comprised of several components. The controller layer might include a controller, a memory expansion module, an Ethernet converter, and associated wiring, power supplies, mounting hardware, etc. The I/O module layer consists of reader interface and contact I/O modules, plus a similar set of ancillary components.

The LNL-2220 flattens this into a single layer—and frequently into a single board! Mount a box with an LNL-2220 and a power supply near an entrance. All door components (reader, REX, strike) get wired to the LNL-2220. Plug in a network drop, and the job is done. Furthermore, because the LNL-2220 has a large capacity (more than 16 MB of total memory) and an Ethernet port as standard equipment, there is no additional expense or time spent on add-ons. The LNL-2220 is a complete solution, right out of the box!

Choice of Readers

When you decide to use IP readers, your selection of products is reduced exponentially. You are immediately locked into a specific reader vendor, card technology, or set of architectural or cosmetic constraints.

Unlike IP readers, the LNL-2220 offers your installation complete flexibility in choice of reader brand, technology and form factor. It also accepts the full spectrum of biometric and smart card technologies supported by OnGuard—the broadest available in the industry. No IP reader can offer this level of flexibility. The LNL-2220 also allows easy replacement or addition of readers as needs change; your initial investment is never lost.

A New Way to Connect Readers – Bidirectional Communication

Most proximity and smart card readers today use a Wiegand (D0/D1) or magnetic reader (Clock/Data) interface. The primitive interfaces incorporate only unidirectional data flow, and rely on hard-wired control of reader indications. They offer no means by which to send data from an access control system to a reader. The few solutions that do allow bidirectional communication tend to use proprietary, single-vendor protocols that limit the choice of readers and panels. The LNL-2220 incorporates the new OnGuard Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) by Lenel, an open, extensible, bidirectional communications channel for access control readers and keypads. Lenel is working with several leading reader manufacturers to ensure availability of a wide variety of technologies that all operate using OSDP. OSDP allows reader configuration items such as LED behavior and sounder behavior to be controlled over the same pair of wires that transmits card data from the reader to the panel. OSDP uses an RS-485 hardware layer, so all Lenel installers already have the tools, materials and knowledge to deploy OSDP.

Beyond simple real-time control and communication, OSDP is being extended to offer advanced capabilities such as reader LCD display control, firmware download, full reader configuration, and possibly even encryption key management. In 2007, Lenel will spearhead the effort to make OSDP the industry standard for reader communication, thereby taking access control to the next level—using an open approach, consistent with Lenel’s history and mission.

A Scalable Solution

The LNL-2220 offers a single-board solution to control up to two doors, but that is only the beginning of its capabilities. Through the inclusion of a standard downstream RS-485 I/O module port, every LNL-2220 provides an inherent growth path. If a particular entryway requires interfaces for more than two doors, additional reader interface modules can be connected, allowing control of up to 64 doors from a single LNL-2220! This same port can also be used to add standard Lenel contact input and output modules for monitoring, auxiliary device control, even elevator access control of up to 128 floors. These capabilities can be leveraged during initial installation, or kept in reserve to allow for future growth.

Full Offline Functionality

With all the capabilities that the LNL-2220 provides, reliability and uptime are important considerations. By bundling a full-featured controller into the door interface, the LNL-2220 offers the highest level of offline performance possible. When the OnGuard server is unavailable, full access control functionality is maintained. Timezones, access levels, local area anti-passback and even local I/O functions continue to operate not only for the doors wired to the LNL-2220 directly, but also for devices connected to its downstream port. The LNL-2220 provides one of the most fault-tolerant solutions available.

For critical locations, there is no better solution than the LNL-2220. With the same footprint as the Lenel Dual Reader Interface Module (LNL-1320), the LNL-2220 can even be used to provide enhanced offline capabilities to existing installations!

New Capabilities Leveraging Existing Knowledge

With all the power afforded by this revolutionary device, it is reasonable to be concerned about the learning curve required to successfully deploy the LNL-2220. Ease of use was a consideration throughout the development process, to ensure that any certified Lenel VAR will have no problem adding the LNL-2220 to new or existing installations. In fact, LNL-2220 configuration is simpler than configuring an equivalent Intelligent System Controller and Reader Interface Module, and uses virtually identical screens and settings. There is essentially no learning curve required to apply existing knowledge of OnGuard configuration to the new LNL-2220!

Availability, Call to Action

The new LNL-2220 module offers new possibilities in system design, and new opportunities to reduce system cost, complexity and installation time. This groundbreaking advance in security technology is fully supported in OnGuard version 5.12.1xx. Now is the time to begin evaluating how the LNL-2220 can put you ahead of the competition. Your Lenel representative has a full range of support tools and literature to help you.

If you have any questions about the LNL-2220 or would like more information, please contact infocus@lenel.com.