Crestron 3 Series User manual

3-Series® Control Systems
Reference Guide
Crestron Electronics, Inc.

Original Instructions
The U.S. English version of this document is the original instructions.
All other languages are a translation of the original instructions.
Crestron product development software is licensed to Crestron dealers and Crestron Service Providers (CSPs) under a
limited non-exclusive, non-transferable Software Development Tools License Agreement. Crestron product operating system
software is licensed to Crestron dealers, CSPs, and end-users under a separate End-User License Agreement. Both of these
Agreements can be found on the Crestron website at www.crestron.com/legal/software-license-agreement.
The product warranty can be found at www.crestron.com/legal/sales-terms-conditions-warranties.
The specific patents that cover Crestron products are listed at www.crestron.com/legal/patents.
Certain Crestron products contain open source software. For specific information, visit www.crestron.com/legal/open-
source-software.
Crestron, the Crestron logo, 3-Series, 3-Series Control System, Crestron Studio, Crestron Toolbox, Crestron XiO Cloud,
SIMPL+, and VT-Pro e are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Crestron Electronics, Inc. in the United States
and/or other countries. Active Directory is either a trademark or a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the
United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks, registered trademarks, and trade names may be used in this
document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Crestron disclaims any proprietary
interest in the marks and names of others. Crestron is not responsible for errors in typography or photography.
©2019 Crestron Electronics, Inc.

Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B Contents •i
Contents
Introduction 1
Tools and Utilities 2
3-Series Architecture 3
Memory and Directory Structure.............................................................................................. 3
Console Commands..................................................................................................................... 5
Establish Communications 6
USB Connection............................................................................................................................ 6
TCP/IP Connection.......................................................................................................................8
Time and Date Settings 9
Authentication 10
Enable Authentication............................................................................................................... 10
User and Group Management ................................................................................................. 10
User Group Rights ...................................................................................................................... 13
Password Management ............................................................................................................ 14
Login Behavior ............................................................................................................................ 15
Session Timeout Functions....................................................................................................... 17
Blocked User Functions ............................................................................................................. 18
Blocked IP Address Functions .................................................................................................. 18
Certificate Management 20
Certificate Requirements ........................................................................................................ 20
Add a Certificate ........................................................................................................................ 21
TLS/SSL ....................................................................................................................................... 21
Server Certificates..................................................................................................................... 22
802.1X 26
Firmware Updates 28

ii •Contents Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B
Message Logging 29
Persistent Log ............................................................................................................................. 29
Remote System Logging........................................................................................................... 31
Audit Logging .............................................................................................................................. 32
Control Subnet 33
Prepare the Control Subnet.....................................................................................................34
Control Subnet Architecture.................................................................................................... 35
Program Management 37
Load Programs to the Control System ................................................................................. 37
IP Table Configuration .............................................................................................................. 37
Run Multiple Programs............................................................................................................. 40
Run Programs from External Storage ................................................................................... 41
Master-Slave Mode 42
Definitions.................................................................................................................................... 42
Master-Slave Configuration ....................................................................................................43
Functional Behavior ...................................................................................................................45
Auto Update Mechanism 46
Configure the Auto Update Mechanism................................................................................46
Manifest File................................................................................................................................ 47
Results File...................................................................................................................................55
Error Handling............................................................................................................................. 57
Connect to Crestron XiO Cloud Service 58
Claim a Single Device ............................................................................................................... 58
Claim Multiple Devices ..............................................................................................................59
Appendix A: Restore to Factory Defaults 62
Appendix B: Port Forwarding 63

Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B 3-Series Control Systems •1
3-Series® Control Systems
Introduction
Crestron® 3-Series Control System® automated processors unify disparate
technologies in buildings so they can communicate and work together
intelligently, which lowers costs and boosts efficiency. Their unique distributed
architecture enables multitasking essential to a complete building control
solution. Up to 10 programs can operate independently and simultaneously while
rapidly communicating with each other. Code is organized into a few smaller
programs rather than one large one, so programming, troubleshooting, and
uploading are much faster and easier.
3-Series® control systems offer a wide range of features, including:
•Scalable hardware that supports a broad range of space types and
architectures
•One system running multiple programs
•SNMP and BACnet/IP support to seamlessly communicate and integrate
with IT, HVAC, BMS, and security systems
•Crestron XiO Cloud™ service connected
•Full network security protocols, including 802.1X, AES, and
Active Directory® service
For more information on Crestron control systems, including available products
and additional resources, refer to www.crestron.com/Products/Featured-
Solutions/Crestron-Control-Systems
NOTE: The features and functions described in this document apply to 3-Series
control systems with firmware version 1.600 or newer. Crestron recommends
updating to the latest firmware version to ensure the control system receives the
most recent features and security patches. For more information, refer to
“Firmware Updates” on page 28.

2•3-Series Control Systems Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B
Tools and Utilities
Standard IT tools, such as SFTP (secure file transfer protocol) clients and SSH
(secure shell) clients, can be used to initiate various control system tasks and
functions.
Additionally, the following Crestron tools and utilities may be used to program
and configure the control system:
•Crestron Studio® software
•Crestron Toolbox™ software
•SIMPL Debugger
•SIMPL Windows
•SIMPL Sharp Pro
•VT-Pro e® software
All tools and utilities may be downloaded from www.crestron.com/Support. For
more information on the features and functions of each tool, refer to its
embedded help file.
NOTE: Access to software downloads and other files is reserved for Authorized
Crestron dealers, Crestron Service Providers (CSPs), and Crestron partners only.
New users must register for an account to access certain areas of the Crestron
website. For more information on registering, navigate to
https://www.crestron.com/register.

Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B 3-Series Control Systems •3
3-Series Architecture
The following sections provide an overview of the architecture of a 3-Series
control system.
Memory and Directory Structure
A 3-Series processor has between 256 MB and 1 GB of built-in SDRAM
(synchronous DRAM) volatile memory. For more information regarding the
memory specifications for each 3-Series control system model, refer to the
appropriate product page at www.crestron.com.
Flash memory contains the file system inside the 3-Series control engine. The
3-Series processor also has 128kB of NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM). NVRAM contains
program variables that are retained after the loss of electrical power, while
volatile memory is lost.
Flash Memory
Flash memory for a 3-Series control system contains the following components:
•Operating system (.puf file)
•SIMPL and SIMPL Sharp Pro programs
•SIMPL+® programming modules
The files that reside in flash memory confirm to a flat directory structure. The
following table details the overall file system:
3-Series Control System Directory Structure
TOP LEVEL SECONDARY LEVEL DESCRIPTION
\ The root of the file system
HTML Web pages
Nvram NVRAM legacy directory
ROMDISK/User/display Contains files for the onscreen display
RM/RM2 Mounting point for external removal
media
Simpl/AppXX Control system program files (where
XX is the program number)
Sys Contains vario
us system configuration
files
User Provided for user-defined files

4•3-Series Control Systems Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B
The directory structure of a 3-Series control system can reside on the internal
flash memory and on optional external memory (SD/SDHC). Programs, data
files, and data can be stored on either internal or external memory. The files that
reside in the internal flash conform to a flat directory structure, while the
external memory system conforms to a FAT32-compatible file system.
NOTE:Although file system names are case insensitive, the case is preserved to
maintain file checksums.
Observe the following about external media directories:
•The RM and RM2 directories appear only when external removal media is
inserted into the control system. To reference files in external memory,
prefix "\RM\" or "\RM2\" to any fully qualified path from the computer
OS environment.
•When a SIMPL Windows or SIMPL Sharp Pro program is stored in
external memory, the files reside in the "\RM[2]\Simpl\AppXX\" directory,
where XX is the program number.
•When web pages are stored in external memory, the pages reside in the
"\RM[2]\HTML\" directory.
•Storing programs and web pages in external memory gives them
precedence over files stored in internal flash memory. For example, if
different programs are stored in both internal flash and external memory,
the program in external memory will run when the system is booted.
SDRAM (Volatile)
Volatile SDRAM is used by the operating system to dynamically store the
following components:
•Digital and analog signal values
•SIMPL+ variables (default is no options are specified, or if using "volatile"
qualifier or #DEFAULT_VOLATILE)
The actual amount of SDRAM used at any given time depends on the particular
program that is running; therefore, usage is variable (dynamic) during normal
operation.
NVRAM (Nonvolatile)
Nonvolatile NVRAM contain the following components:
•SIMPL+ variables (if "volatile" qualifier or #DEFAULT_VOLATILE is
removed)
•Signals explicitly written to NVRAM (such as Analog RAM, Analog RAM
from database, Serial RAM, Serial RAM from database, Analog
nonvolatile ramp, Digital RAM, and so forth)
NOTE:SIMPL Sharp Pro has no access to the NVRAM. Programmers should write
files for persistent variables instead.

Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B 3-Series Control Systems •5
Console Commands
The 3-Series processor is capable of understanding and responding to a set of
phrases known as console commands. Console commands are used to configure
the control system.
Observe the following about console commands:
•Console commands can be sent to the device using an SSH client once the
IP address or hostname of the device is known. Console commands may
also be sent to the device using the Text Console tool in Crestron Toolbox
via one of the supported communication protocols.
•Console commands are grouped logically. Issuing the help command
from the console responds with various command categories.
•Issuing the help all command responds with a list of all exposed console
commands for the device.
•The same command may be listed in more than one category. Commands
are case insensitive and can be entered from the appropriate prompt.
•To view the available options and parameters for a command, issue the
command followed by a space and "?" (for example, ADDMASTER ?).
•Support for new console commands is added via firmware updates. Refer
to the firmware release notes for more information.

6•3-Series Control Systems Reference Guide – DOC. 7150B
Establish Communications
The control system must establish communications with a computer in order to
upload programs, troubleshoot, or perform diagnostics.
Depending on the control system capabilities, the following communication
protocols may be used to connect with a 3-Series control system:
•USB communication with a PC via the COMPUTER port on the control
system (requires Crestron Toolbox software)
•Ethernet communication via SSH or SSL/TLS
USB Connection
To connect to the control system via USB:
1. Connect the COMPUTER USB port of the control system to the USB port
of a computer with a USB A to B cable.
2. Open Crestron Toolbox software.
3. Click the pencil icon at the bottom left of any tool in Crestron Toolbox.
A dialog box for editing the connection type is displayed.
4. Click the USB radio button.
Connection Type Dialog Box - USB