[ale] OT - open source access control (physical) software?

[JD]

I seriously doubt that serial traffic is encrypted.  This sounds like a
good use for a pogoplug and perl script with a sqlite DB.

The top few result
http://freshmeat.net/search?q=home+security&submit=Search may help.

On 05/02/2011 01:42 PM, Sid Lane wrote:
> all,
> 
> the computer which controls the access control system for our
> neighborhood (pool, clubhouse, restrooms, etc) is dying and I have been
> tasked w/replacing it.  I don't have any documentation but a physical
> inspection of the system showed that the actual physical locks are
> controlled by a proprietary box (about size/form of a home alarm) which
> has a serial connection to an old PC running XP & the management client.
>  the management client is a program that runs in a user session (not a
> service) but appears to be from a different company than the actual
> control unit which makes me wonder if there's open source management
> software for these systems (I'm assuming the serial traffic is
> unencrypted).  the actual control unit must cache its last know
> information because it continues to work when the PC dies (which it's
> doing frequently now).
> 
> anyone know anything about these kinds of systems & particularly if
> there's any gpl(-ish) alternatives?  ideally I'd like a small-form (mac
> mini-ish) pc running a small linux distro off a flash drive (no
> spindle).  I don't care if the UI isn't pretty (hell, it could be mysql
> or even vi-ing xml files for all I care - we have <300 homes).
> 
>