AEOS (Nedap) - ICX-AlphaCom integration

This article describes the integration between AEOS (Nedap) and ICX-AlphaCom. The main content is written by our platinum partner Elbo, with updates from Patrick Castelein.

Functional Specifications

The AEOS <-> AlphaCom interface is a bi-directional connection, based on the Socket interface on the AEOS side and a EDO/EDI connection on the AlphaCom side. The link is actualized on the basis of local intercom server ICX-500/ICX-Core to AEOS, without the inclusion of AlphaNet.

It is also possible to log in directly to the AEpu (door controller), but this is not included in this document. The functionalities below become available with this interface:

1. Opening doors in AEOS environment during an intercom conversation (ICX-AlphaCom to AEOS) after providing the “open door” command in ICX-AlphaCom and playing a prerecorded audio message on the intercom when the door is opened by AEOS. By default, this involves pressing the “6” key during an intercom conversation.
2. Play a prerecorded audio message in an intercom station or make a call when an access key or badge is authorized or denied (AEOS to ICX-AlphaCom).

Requirements Zenitel

Compatability list

• AlphaCom XE AMC version 11.2.3.11 (or higher).
• ICX 500/ICX-core Server FW 1.2.3.9. (or higher).
• AlphaPro 11.7 when using AC XE
• AlphaPro 12.1.3 (or higher) for AC ICX 500/ICX-CORE.

Zenitel (ICX-AlphaCom) License for Interfacing

• 1002602400 ILI-IF Interface Enabling license for ICX 500/ICX-CORE.
• 1002604000 (basic) or 1002604100 (enhanced) Audio Messaging License for ICX 500/ICX-core (Depending on the desired number of audio messages).
• 1009648500 (basic) or 1009648501 (enhanced) Audio Messaging License for AlphaCom XE (Depending on the desired number of audio messages).

Requirements AEOS

Compatibility list Nedap

• AEOS version 2021.X (or higher)
• System user credentials

Nedap (AEOS) License for Interfacing

• No additional License(s) needed.

Communication from ICX-AlphaCom to AEOS

The following relates to a test setup, but can be used as a template for the solution in a production environment.

Login

To establish a connection with the Socket interface in AEOS, the ICX-AlphaCom needs to log in to AEOS. An event must be created in the Event Handler to log in. The commands below are sent to AEOS.

String: EDO 1 "login(socketuser,socketpw)\x3B\r\n"

Login =login command Socketuser =username Socketpw =user password

String: EDO 1 "setRmiCommandConnection(true)\x3B\r\n"

setRmiCommandConnection = activate commands to the socket interface

String: EDO 1 "setRmiEventConnection(true)\x3B\r\n"

"setRmiEventConnection(true) = enable receiving events from the socket interface

Door control (opening)

During a conversation, a main intercom station can activate the door control by pressing digit “6” during the conversation. The command below is sent by ICX-AlphaCom to the socket interface of AEOS to establish door opening.

EDO 1 "executeArgs(provideAccess\,[]\,\"aepu1:frontdoor\")\x3B\n\r"

Aepu1 = The name of the AEpu (door controller “Hostname” in AEOS ) frontdoor = The service name / Display text of door on the Aepu1 (“Access Point” in AEOS)

Messages from AEOS to ICX-AlphaCom

When an access control badge is denied or allowed, one or more actions can be performed using the link. Likely actions are a call to reception in the event of an expired or blocked badge, or a welcome message when access has been granted. The connection from AEOS is also verified on heartbeat. When no heartbeat is determined, ICX-AlphaCom will attempt to log in again once per minute.

The string from the AEOS is made up of several fields, each separated by one “|”. E.g.:

Event:GE|40|AEOS|210|nvc2522aepu1:voordeur|1015|20240105|154723|NedapXS Cards 3|Pietje Puk||0||#003;

Field numbers: Event: -- 1 -- | -- 2 -- |-- 3 -- |-- 4 -- |-- 5 -- |-- 6 -- |-- 7 -- |-- 8 -- |-- 9 -- |-- 10 -- | -- 11 -- |#003;

In the ICX-AlphaCom event handler, the various fields are filtered from the string and the desired action is performed based on the content.

Heartbeat

AEOS sends a heartbeat once per minute as a live check, see string below. ICX-AlphaCom filters on “HB” in the string. If the heartbeat is not detected and timeout occurs, ICX-AlphaCom will try to log in again to the AEOS socket interface (see section 2.1).

String: Event:HB|3||#003;#015 #012#015 HB = heartbeat When the heartbeat is detected, the timer for L699 (test device) is reset to 61 sec.

Access granted

When access is granted after presenting a valid access badge, a corresponding message is sent from AEOS to which ICX-AlphaCom can respond with a selected audio message or other action. The AlphaCom filters on the code 1015 (field 6) in the string. 1015 stands for “Authorized Badge Access” in AEOS.

String: Event:GE|40|AEOS|210|nvc2522aepu1:voordeur|1015|20240105|154723|NedapXS Cards 3|Pietje Puk||0||#003;#015 #012#015

voordeur = The service name of the door in the Aepu1. 1015 = Access granted.  

Access denied

If access is denied after presenting an access badge, a corresponding message is sent from AEOS to which the AlphaCom can respond with a selected audio message or other action. The AlphaCom filters on the code 1201 (field 6) of the string.

1201 stands for “BadgeNoAccesEvent” in AEOS.

String: Event:GE|42|AEOS|210|nvc2522aepu1:voordeur|1201|20240105|154823|NedapXS Cards 7|Darthvader||0||#003;#015 #012#015

voordeur = The service name of the door in the Aepu1. 1201 = No Access

Door control from ICX-AlphaCom

When a conversation has been established between a secondary intercom station and e.g. the main station at the reception, the door can also be opened from the main station. (6) With this action, an “Execute command” is sent from AlphaCom to AEOS, containing the device ID and the relevant AEOS controller.

String from AlphaCom to AEOS (triggered by event type-2): EDO 1 "executeArgs(provideAccess\,[]\,\"nvc2522aepu1: %1.NAM\")\x3B\n\r"

%1.NAM = The display name of the intercom device in question nvc2522aepu1 = The relevant door controller.

AEOS responds to this string with a feedback message that the DoorOpenAction has been carried out. ICX-AlphaCom filters this string on the code 1196 (field 6).

1196 stands for “ProvideAccesEvent” in AEOS.

String from AEOS to AlphaCom: Event:GE|33|AEOS|210|nvc2522aepu1:voordeur|1196|20240105|154435||||0||#003;#015 #012#015

voordeur = The service name of the door in the Aepu1 1196 = Access granted.

ICX-AlphaCom then triggers an event that controls the visual indication on the intercom relay LED (relay control) and plays a voice message on the relevant intercom.

AEOS Socket interface documentation

For more information about the Socket interface and the associated events, please refer to the online documents from Nedap: https://portal.nedapsecurity.com/robohelp?file=index.htm

Description configuration/events AlphaCom

EDIO serial port configuration

Create an EDIO port in AlphaPro under “Exchange & system  Serial Ports  EDIO” with the following settings:

Port type: TCP/IP Client IP address: IP-address of AEOS server Port: 8035 Keep Alive: Checked Write option: Connect at AlphaCom startup