Software House iSTAR Pro 4U Instruction Manual

1
iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount
Quick Start
Installation Guide
Version C4
Document Part Number UM-219
August 2012
OVERVIEW Software House iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount is a standalone, rack-mountable
access control and burglar alarm system unit that houses all the necessary
components to control up to 16 doors, and monitor up to 32 alarm inputs.
Topics This guide describes quick start installation information for the iSTAR Pro 4U
Rack Mount, including:
How to wire Doors/Readers to RM ports.
How to wire Supervised Inputs and Dry Contact Relay Outputs.
How to wire Lock Power.
How to wire Mag Lock Power.
How to wire I/8 and R/8 bus modules.
Features Software House iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount is a standalone, rack-mountable
access control and burglar alarm system unit that houses all the necessary
components to control up to 16 doors and monitor up to 32 alarm inputs. The
device manages power and wiring for access control systems by combining
24V/1A power per lock, separately protected and isolated lock outputs, and
fire interlocks all within the enclosure. Combined with removable wire
connectors that enable quick installation, the iSTAR Pro Rack Mount reduces
the space requirements and costs associated with installing a panel on the wall.
The rack design allows integrators to centrally install and monitor the panel in a
standard depth, 4-post IT rack or a standard 2-post Telco rack, to save valuable
wall space. This efficient design includes two-piece removable rear connectors
for easy field wiring.

Overview
2
iSTAR Rack Mount supports Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to
simplify and expedite installation. For easy setup, this device also supports
Domain Name Services (DNS), Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS), and
Fully Qualified Domain Naming (FQDN), thus providing a comprehensive
approach to network management.
A front panel LCD displays real-time system diagnostics and optional raw card
reads for quick troubleshooting. LED status lights indicate power, fire alarm,
fan failure, and high temperature. With external diagnostics and status lights,
integrators and IT staff can view and handle system duress without having to
open the enclosure. These security features significantly reduce the risk of
system downtime and, with remote web diagnostics, you can find and fix
performance issues remotely from anywhere in your facility.
Each unit has front and rear tamper switches to ensure that the controller is not
accessed by unauthorized personnel. Security risks are significantly reduced
with encrypted communications, protection against network intrusion, dual
network paths, and optional dial-up secondary communications. iSTAR Pro
Rack Mount is a highly secure network device trusted by IT organizations.
NOTE The unit supports RM readers and RM-4, 4E modules only - no direct Wiegand
heads.
Functions Interfaces to 4-post IT rack or standard 2-post Telco rack
Includes everything required to control up to 16 doors, in one enclosure
Patent-pending design allows fast field wiring using quick connects
Front panel LCD and LEDs for diagnostics and quick troubleshooting
Includes lock power (12/24V, selectable), and separately-protected outputs
Industrial handles and slide rails ensure easy installation
Hinged cover for easy access to GCM diagnostic port
Dual network LAN ports for redundant network connection
Fully compatible with C•CURE 800/8000 and C•CURE 9000
Supports multiple cards per cardholder and multiple card formats including
FIPS 201 extended formats
RM input/output modules allow expansion of up to 128 inputs and 128
outputs
Unit can be clustered and integrated with other iSTAR Pro controllers
Firmware is flashable

Overview
3
System Components The iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount hardware components consist of:
Front Panel - With LCD to display the current status and for use when running
diagnostics. Alarm Board provides Indicators for:
Power
Fire Alarm
Fan Failure
High Temp
Rear Connector Panel - Connectors for:
8 or 16 door readers with Lock power
16 or 32 Supervised Input connectors
Two extra ports for I/8 and R/8 connections
Fire Alarm input
NOTE If you need to run additional wires through the rack enclosure, you can knock out
the second LAN jack and use that opening for the cables – modem, battery
connections, etc.
General Controller Module (GCM) – A general purpose board running
Windows CE. The GCM has two PCMCIA slots for an internal modem,
and/or a second network interface card and/or a compact flash card. There
is a panel of NiMH batteries to retain the data memory in the event of a
power failure.
The iSTAR Pro GCM can interface with one or two ACM modules.
1 or 2 Access Control Modules (ACM) – An access control board that
communicates with the GCM and provides readers, outputs, and inputs.
The iSTAR Pro can have up to two ACMs that control 16 doors and provide
connectors for up to 16 RM readers or RM modules.
Front Panel Alarm board - Drive front panel indicators.
1 or 2 APD8F-UL - Lock Power Distribution Boards.
1 or 2 CPS1000-UL/CSA - 12/24 VDC (for APD8F-UL Lock Power Boards)
1 CPS1000-UL/CSA-12 VDC Power Supply (for GCM, ACMs, Alarm Board,
Fan)
1 - Toroidal Transformer (30V 625VA).

Overview
4
iSTAR Pro 4U Rack
Mount Cabinet
FIGURE 1. iSTAR Pro Rack Mount Enclosure
Rack Mount Size and
Rack Requirements
4U - 7" High
Standard 19" Wide
29" Long to Shroud
74 lbs Weight
A 32" Deep Server Rack is a Minimum Size Requirement.
Alarm Panel
LCD Display
Fan
Rails

Overview
5
Mounting Instructions,
4 Post IT Rack
Install Rack Rails to both sides of iSTAR Pro Rack enclosure. (Screws
Provided)
Install Rack Rails to Server Rack.
Slide iSTAR Pro into Rack Rails on Server Rack
Attach iSTAR to Server Rack for added Security
Mounting Instructions,
2 Post Telco Rack
The 4U Rack Mount can also be mounted in a 2 Post Telco style rack by using a
2 post conversion kit.
Install Rack Rails to both sides of iSTAR Pro Rack enclosure. (Screws
Provided)
Install 2 post conversion kit
Install rack rails onto metal extensions of the conversion kit
Slide iSTAR Pro onto the rails of the conversion kit
Attach iSTAR to Server Rack for added Security
Network Connection Connect a CAT-5 or CAT-6 RJ45 cable to J4. Connect a straight through cable
to a Switch or Hub. If unit is connected directly to the server use a crossover
cable.
GCM LED2 indicates the Ethernet link signal and LED1 displays the Receive
Data signal.

Overview
6
iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount Layout
FIGURE 2. 4U Rack Mount Layout

Overview
7
Part Numbers TABLE 1. iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount Main Components
Part Number Description
STAR016-4URM 4U iSTAR Pro Rack Mount, 16 reader with integral lock
power, supports RM devices only (no direct Wiegand)
STAR008-4URM 4U iSTAR Pro Rack Mount, eight reader with integral
lock power, supports RM devices only (no direct
Wiegand)
TABLE 2. Boards/Spares
Tyco Part Number Mfg. p/n, if different Description
0311-0068-01 iSTAR Pro GCM Board
0311-0040-01 iSTAR Pro ACM Board
4828-0025-01 Blue LCD
DISP,LCD,16CX2L,BK-LT,BL,84X44
5606-0068-01 AlarmSaf CPS1000-UL/CSA 12/24V Power Supply, 10A
5606-0069-01 AlarmSaf APD8-BD 8-output Pwr. Dist. Board
5610-0013 120/30 Toroidal Xfmr
IB-100-B Front Alarm PCA

Specifications
8
SPECIFICATIONS Following are specifications for the iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount:
TABLE 3. Physical Specifications
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D) 18 x 48 x 74 cm
(7 x 19 x 29 in)
Space Requirements 4U (standard rack units)
Environmental 0° to 50° C (32° to 122° F),
5 to 95% relative humidity, non-condensing
Weight 34 kg (74 lbs)
Misc. Alarms Fan failure, High temperature
Temperature Alarm 60° +/- 6°C, (140° +/- 10°F)
TABLE 4. Electrical Specifications
Electrical
Power Requirements 115 VAC, 60 Hz, ± 10%
Power 5A @600W
Heat Dissipation (Typical) 500 BTU/h
AC Input Circuit Breaker
Rating
15A
UPS Operation Battery charging included, with optional
17Ah batteries (5) provides nominal four hours
backup time; 48 hour recharge time
Memory and RTC Backup On-board rechargeable NimH batteries provide
minimum 12 hours retention of RAM and RTC
(Real Time Clock)
Max Lock Power (Total
Output)
16A
Individual Lock Current Limit 2.5A
Lock Relay Ratings 250,000 cycles

Specifications
9
TABLE 5. Electrical Specifications
Indicators and Switches Notes
LED for power, high temp, fire, fan
failure
Relay outputs are available for tie-in to
spare inputs.
LCD for diagnostics See “GCM Diagnostic Display
Selections” on page 39.
TABLE 6. Communication to Doors
Communication to
Doors
Communications Bus RM bus, separate run to each door
Communications Type RS-485 half duplex, two-wire, plus optional
two wires for reader power
Maximum Distance to Door 1,219 m (4,000 ft.)

Specifications
10
TABLE 7. Readers, Inputs, and Outputs
Readers, Inputs, and
Outputs
Reader Ports 16
Reader Support RM readers or RM reader modules
Reader Technologies Supported Multi-Technology
Proximity
Smart Card
Wiegand
Magnetic Stripe
HID iCLASS
Supervised Inputs 32, double 1 K ohm resistors
Outputs 16, 1A nominal (max 2.5A)
24 VDC lock power per output
Class 2 power limited dry contact
operation, selectable per output.
Output Protection Individually fused with
resettable PTC fuses
Fire Alarm Interlock Per lock output, individually settable via
jumpers
Tamper Switches Two, front and rear cover
TABLE 8. Regulatory Specifications
Regulatory
Tested and certified by ETL per ANSUI/UL standard 294-2004
Tested and certified by ETL per ANSUI/UL standard 1076-2004
FCC Part 15 Class B

Specifications
11
TABLE 9. Specific considerations when using the iSTAR Pro 4U Rack Mount as an
intrusion detection / burglar alarm system, per ANSI/UL 1076
UL 1076 Intrusion Detection / Burglar Alarm Recommendations
Recommended Arm/Disarm
Device
RM2L-4000 multi-technology reader
with keypad & display, to provide visual
indication of individual zone status to
operator
AC Power Source Must use a UL-approved UPS, sized to
provide 4 hours of full operation when
main AC power is not present
Local Sounder Recommend to install local horn,
activated when the zone is in alarm
Maximum number of
protection inputs per zone
32
Maximum number of non-
protection inputs per zone
32
Maximum number of readers
per zone
16

Components/Connections
12
COMPONENTS/
CONNECTIONS
Front Panel The front panel is shown in Figure 3. It provides the LCD panel for status and
diagnostics. There are also indicators for:
Power
Fire Alarm
Fan Failure
High Temperature
FIGURE 3. Front Panel

Components/Connections
13
Alarm Board The Alarm board is mounted just behind the alarm indicators. The layout of the
Alarm board is shown in Figure 4.
FIGURE 4. Alarm Board Layout
Connect Front Panel Alarms to Inputs
The Fire Alarm, Fan Failure, and Over Temperature alarms can be wired to
ACM inputs and used to create events in the C•CURE system. The alarms are
supervised as NC inputs on the Alarm board.
Steps to monitor the alarms:
1. Select unused inputs on an ACM.
2. Remove the wires that go to the rear connection panel from the selected
input connector.
3. Wire each pair of pins on Alarm Board J1 to the selected input connector.
4. Configure the inputs and events in the C•CURE system.
+12VDC In
Fire Alarm In
Fan Power Out
Supervision Resistors
for Alarm outputs
Alarm Outputs
(from rear panel)
(connect to inputs on ACM, if desired)

Components/Connections
14
Rear Connection Panel
FIGURE 5. Rear Connection Panel
Power Input
Network Connection 16 Doors 32 Inputs Fire Alarm (NO)
2 RM Ports
(8 per ACM) (16 per ACM)
Circuit Breaker
On/Off Switch
with Lock Power

Components/Connections
15
Top Row Rear Connectors
Figure 6 and Figure 7 show details of the rear connectors.
The door connectors provide +12 VDC, Data+, Data-, and GND for the RM-4 or
RM-4E. Doors 1-8 are mapped to doors 1-8 of the first ACM. Doors 9-16 are
mapped to doors 1-8 of the second ACM.
The Lock outputs can be sourced with 24VDC or 12VDC for lock power or other
output devices. The Lock outputs can also be set as Dry Contacts and used with
external power for the locks or can be used as ordinary outputs. There is also a
grounded pin to connect the shield of the cables.
The inputs are ordinary Software House supervised inputs that can be wired as
NO or NC. Each pair is wired to an input on the ACMs. Inputs 1-16 are mapped
to inputs 1-16 of the first ACM. Inputs 17-32 are mapped to inputs 1-16 of the
second ACM.
FIGURE 6. Top Row Rear Connectors - 4U RM Rack Mount ISTAR

Components/Connections
16
Bottom Row Rear Connectors
Doors 9-16 and Inputs 21-32 are on the bottom connector.
The Fire Alarm input (FA/NO) on the IN31-32 connector is a Normally Open
(NO) dry connection. When the connection closes, it indicates an external Fire
Alarm is active. If an APD8 jumper is set to position D, the lock power for that
lock will be inhibited. See Figure 20 for more details. The Fire Alarm will also be
indicated on the front panel and can be wired to an input and used to create an
event in the C•CURE system. See page13.
FIGURE 7. Bottom Row Rear Connectors - 4U RM Rack Mount ISTAR
Adding I/8 or R/8 Bus Modules
It is possible to wire bus modules on the same lines as Doors 1-16, observing
normal RS-485 termination rules.
Another option is to use the RM BUS connector. The RM BUS connector has two
RM Bus connections which can be used to wire I/8 and R/8 bus modules.
RM 8 and DR 8 are connected to STAR1 on the first ACM. RM 16 and DR 16 are
connected to STAR1 on the second ACM.
Tied to Door 8
on ACM 1
Tied to Door 16
on ACM 2
Set ACM S1-1 to OFF
when RM8/16 are used

Components/Connections
17
If you want to use RM 8 or RM 16, set S1 position 1 to OFF (No Termination) on
that ACM. See Figure 8.
NOTE The total length of the half duplex RS-485 connection is 4000 feet.
FIGURE 8. RM Terminations
S1-1=ON S1-1=OFF

Components/Connections
18
After wiring the connections to the rear panel, use the shroud to protect the
cables and provide enough of a service loop to allow the rack mount to be
pulled out from the front.
FIGURE 9. Wires from Rear of Rack Mount
Strain relief
fitting,
attached to
iSTAR to
help prevent
connectors
from pulling
loose.

Components/Connections
19
GCM / ACM Connectors
(Different suppliers)
:Warning: Tolerance issues may cause loose connections in the field when connectors
from different suppliers are mixed, leading to intermittent problems that are difficult to
troubleshoot.
FIGURE 10. Typical Connector
A good field test is to put the connector on a loose RM, I8, or R8 board and see if
you can lift the board, by gripping only the connector. If the connector slips off,
or seems loose, replace with another one.
If you encounter a loose connector, replace it with a good one. Contact
Technical Support for replacements.

Components/Connections
20
Power Supplies There are three power supplies included with the 4U Rack Mount iSTAR Pro.
The supplies are all CPS-1000 units that provide 10 Amps each. For clarity, we
will refer to them as units 1, 2, and 3.
Unit 1 - Factory set to +12 VDC. Do not change. This unit supplies the
various logic boards.
Unit 2 - Set for + 24 VDC by default. Can be changed to +12 VDC. This unit
supplies the APD8 for doors 9-16. The APD8 board for doors 9-16 is
mounted on top, above the APD8 1-8 board.
Unit 3 - Factory set for + 24 VDC. Do not change. This unit supplies the
APD8 for doors 1-8 and the Fire Alarm detection logic. The APD8 board for
doors 1-8 is mounted on the bottom, below the APD8 9-16 board.
FIGURE 11. Power Supplies
+12 VDC Power for GCM, ACMs,
Alarm Board and Fan
+24 VDC
for APD8 1-8
+24 or +12 VDC
for APD8 9-16
1
2
3