T&A & Access Control FAQs

The following cable drawings can be downloaded and are in *.pdf format:

(21K) 422-203 Host Cable NI - AT
(21K) 422-204 Host Cable NI - XT
(22K) 751-229 Host Cable TS - FACT
(19K) 751-230 Host Cable TS - FAMS
(21K) 751-231 Host Cable TS - AT
(22K) 751-232 Host Cable TS - XT
(24K) 751-233 Host Cable TS - AT (Handshake)
(23K) 751-234 Host Cable TS - XT (Handshake)

Listed below are the communications cables that we recommend:

4-wire FAMS networks: Screened twin twisted pair 22AWG Type 1 data cable (RS part no. 367-959) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 twin pair (RS part no. 368-413)

2-wire FAMS networks: Screened single twisted pair 22AWG Type 3 data cable (RS part no. 360-649) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 single pair (RS part no. 368-407)

FACT networks: Belden 8451 - single pair 22AWG shielded (RS part no. 360-649) or Telephone cable, type: CW 1308 single pair (RS part no. 368-407)

LAN networks: Due to the many variants involved in 10baseT and 10base2 networks, we do not recommend any specific cabling as this is dictated by the system requirements. However, RS once again supply a wide range of suitable cables.

The TOTAL length for a FACT network must not exceed 5kms. The total length for a FAMS network depends on the interface device being used. For a Network Interface (422-500) it is 5kms. However, if using a Terminal Server, it is 5kms per port and so it could theoretically be 20kms depending on the type.

For more information, see our networking section .

A suitable cable for connecting both types of reader to a Feedback Terminal is Belden 9536 (RS part no. 382-453).

You only require 3 connections. They are TX, RX and 0V.

The cleaning of standard contact Barcode and Magstripe heads can safely be carried out using the MCR head cleaning kit available from RS (RS part no. 218-526). Alternatively, if access to the head is possible, then cotton buds and Isopropyl alcohol can be used (available from any high street chemist).

ALL Feedback Terminals have a particular Build Standard (BS) or Product Code (PC) number and a unique serial number.

These numbers can be found on a silver label that is either engraved and riveted into place or is printed and stuck on. All labels are positioned at the bottom and/or back of the terminal.

If contacting the Feedback Data Customer Services department, please quote these numbers to enable us to quickly identify the product.

5000 and 7000 series terminals can be accessed either via the cable loom at the rear, by linking the two connections marked 'DIAG SELECT' or by SW4 of the switch bank inside on the main pcb. The Kestrel diagnostics can be selected by linking the two pins marked 'DIAG' on the engine pcb. The Rugged series can be accessed via the marked point on the cable loom at the rear. NOTE: All later terminals can be set to keypad entry of diagnostic mode.

The adaptor is available from Farnell Components (part no. 251-082).

The following templates are available to assist in mounting Feedback supplied Terminals and Readers and are in *.pdf format:

(173K) TMPL001-01 868 Barcode Reader Template
(160K) TMPL002-01 Area Controller Template
(149K) TMPL003-01 Door Controller Template
(158K) TMPL004-01 Kestrel Template
(139K) TMPL005-01 MR Sensors Magstripe Reader Template

This can be done in three ways:

• On older terminals, there will be a label affixed to the top of the eprom with the firmware number and issue printed onto it.
• On most terminals you can also enter diagnostic test 19 and this will display the number and issue fitted.
• Alternatively, if this is inconvenient, a '?' command can be sent to the terminal via FAMSTEST.EXE which will report the number.

For instructions on using FAMSTEST.EXE, see product information sheet INF031xx available for download from our Support section. FAMSTEST.EXE is available from our Software Downloads page.

You can use our own Windows® application TCPTX.EXE which is available for download from our Software Download page.

Using famstest.exe, send a lower case 'l' followed by an upper case 'N'.

SW3 on the circuit board switch bank dictates the type of reader input that the Door Controller is expecting. In the OFF position, Barcode readers can be used, in the ON Magstripe or Proximity readers can be used.

When Microtrak is used with Windows 2000 there are some problems which occur if the user is logging on to Windows as anything less than an Administrator. To get around these problems we need to adjust the following settings while logged on as an Administrator.

Using Windows Explorer, go to the Program Files>Feedback Data Limited>Microtrak directory and adjust the Security settings under Properties for the Users and or Power Users to have full access. This will allow Microtrak to delete its temporary files on startup.

Run Regedt32.
Goto HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
CLSID Microtrak.Document
Adjust the security settings so that Users and or Power Users have Full Access (This will only be available if Microtrak has been run at least once).
Still in Regedt32 goto:
HKEY_LOCALMACHINE Software>ODBC>ODBC.INI>DoorHistory & DoorBackup
Adjust the settings of these two as before.

Media manipulation allows you to use badges in the software whilst only looking for certain characters. For example, if you wish to use existing badges but they have a lot of characters (typical of magnetic stripe), you do not need to enter the entire length into the software but can use media manipulation to look for only a certain number of characters. If using a badge of "0123456789", by setting the Start Char as '4' and Length as '3', the first character to be read would be '4' and the length read would be '3' hence '456' would need to be entered as the Badge number instead of the full number

A Super Group can be used to give selected users on the system access to previously existing sub groups. For instance, anyone made a member of this 'Super Group' will have the same access rights as those belonging to the 'Guest Group' and 'Group 1'.

You cannot exit microtrak correctly unless you are logged in first. This is a security feature and will stop unauthorised personnel shutting the software down. It is recommended that when the administrator has finished working on the software that they always logout before leaving the system unattended. Obviously there is further protection via the login password and so this will also make it difficult for any unauthorised activity to take place. However, a system reboot or task manager shutdown cannot be guarded against.

This can happen if media manipulation is being used as this is not sent with a full re-synch. Check to see if you are using manipulation and if you are, click on OK to send it to the Area Controller.

The most common reason for this is that previous filter settings have not been removed. Go to the Records menu then Filter/Sort/Order and clear any filter criteria that have been previously set. The required report options can then be selected.

There are certain colours that cannot be read and example barcodes are detailed below:

Feedback have a very useful utility called FAMSTEST.EXE which allows basic commands to be sent to the terminals and check communication integrity. It is available from our Software Downloads area. For instructions on using FAMSTEST.EXE, see product information sheet INF031xx available for download from our User Documentation section.

The feedback MAC address convention is as follows:
HBM - 00-A0-XX-XX-XX-XX (old)
Lantronix - 00-20-XX-XX-XX-XX (current)
Integral - 00-60-XX-XX-XX-XX (current)