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Network & installation

Devices that are well named, wired and placed are easier to find, more reliable and simpler to support. This page is general guidance for every device at a site. Each module's hardware pages have the detail for its own devices, such as power, mounting and specifications.

Quick reference

Applies to: Every device at the facility: display screens, door and gate controllers, duress buttons, edge processors, cameras and agent processors

Purpose: Plan an installation, or tidy up an existing one

Name devices for where they are

A good name tells anyone, including new staff and Support, where the device is and what it does, without opening it.

  • Start with the place, then add the device or its view if there's more than one: "Reception Lobby Screen", "Loading Dock Camera", "Staff Entrance Door".
  • Add a position when there are several in one place: "Car Park North Camera" and "Car Park South Camera", "Café Menu Board 1" and "Café Menu Board 2".
  • Use the names people use on site, not codes or abbreviations. "Consult Room 2 Duress Button" is clearer than "CR2-DB".
  • Use locations to group devices. Give devices in the same area the same location, such as "Warehouse", "Clinic", "Level 2" or "Gym Floor", so you can filter the device list by it.
  • Rename a device when it moves, or when a room is renamed. Change the name on the device's Configuration or Settings tab.
SiteGood namesNames to avoid
Office"Lobby Screen", "Level 3 Door""Screen", "Door 1"
Medical clinic"Waiting Room Screen", "Front Desk Duress Button""WR", "Button"
Warehouse"Loading Dock Camera", "Roller Door""Cam1", "DOCK-CAM-01"
School"Car Park Camera", "School Office Duress Button""CP", "Office"
Retail store"Window Screen", "Stockroom Camera""TV", "Back"
Gym"Gym Floor Screen", "Front Entrance Door""GF", "Main"

Use Ethernet where you can

Ethernet is the most reliable way to connect a device. Use it for every device where a cable run is practical, and Wi-Fi only where it isn't.

The NETWORK column in the device list shows each device's connection, and for Wi-Fi its signal strength. Move a device with a weak signal to Ethernet, or improve the Wi-Fi coverage where it is.

Power over Ethernet for a display screen

A Display Screen Player that drives a single display can be powered over Ethernet with the PoE dongle. On PoE, the player only runs the screen, so don't connect USB accessories to it. A player that needs peripherals, such as a Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter, needs its regular power supply. DPMS is the preferred way to turn the TV on and off; HDMI-CEC is used only through a Pulse-Eight USB-CEC adapter. See Power & Connectivity for the detail.

Give cameras a fixed address

A network camera's stream URL includes its IP address. If the address changes, the edge processor loses the stream until you update the URL. Before you add a network camera, give it a static IP address, or set a DHCP reservation for it on your router.

Display Screen Players get their network settings automatically, and need no fixed address or port forwarding.

Place devices with care

  • Leave room to breathe. Display Screen Players, edge processors and agent processors cool through their cases or fans. Keep them out of sealed cabinets, direct sun and hot equipment. Check a device's temperature on its details panel after installing it.
  • Keep power constant. Plug devices into outlets that aren't switched off at night or on a timer.
  • Secure devices in public areas, and keep edge processors and agent processors in staff-only areas such as a comms cabinet or locked office.
  • Stay within range. Place duress buttons close to a display screen with Duress alarm monitoring on, or an IoT Gateway. See How presses reach Performance Hub.

Each module's hardware pages give its devices' mounting, power and temperature detail:

Keep a device inventory

A simple record of your devices makes support, audits and replacements quicker. For each device, record:

  • Its name and location, matching Device Management
  • Its type and serial number
  • Where it connects: the switch port or Wi-Fi network
  • When it was installed, and any warranty details
  • Battery changes and tests, for duress buttons

Update the inventory whenever you add, move or remove a device. Actions → Export CSV in Device Management gives you a starting point. See Facility actions.