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

[Watson, Keith]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Sid
> Lane
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 13:43
> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts - Yes! We run Linux!
> Subject: [ale] OT - open source access control (physical) software?
> 
> 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).

Have you seen this?

http://linux.softpedia.com/get/System/Hardware/Cerberus-Prox-42720.shtml

keith


--

Keith R. Watson                        Georgia Institute of Technology
IT Support professional Lead           College of Computing
keith.watson at cc.gatech.edu             801 Atlantic Drive NW
(404) 385-7401                         Atlanta, GA 30332-0280