• Do the sensorProbe and securityProbe Alarm Servers need to be calibrated?

The sensors connected to the sensorProbe and securityProbe from AKCP offer the user a high degree of accuracy. The temperature sensors and the multi-sensors for temperature and humidity are long-term calibrated to ISO standards, so these sensors will deliver precise measurements for years. The microcontroller of these sensors comes from the renowned Swiss manufacturer Sensirion. On request, the official AKCP direct importer Didactum Security GmbH will be pleased to provide the desired certificates. However, if you would like to calibrate the AKCP sensors yourself, the network-based sensorProbe and securityProbe Alarm Servers offer a Reading Offset function in the web frontend to adjust the measurements of the connected AKCP sensors.

• The securityProbe 5ES control unit cannot be updated under AKCess Pro Server.

Please connect your securityProbe 5ES monitoring unit via crossover to a Windows PC and perform the firmware update directly with the supplied crossover patch cable and the IPSet firmware utility.

• The device failed without apparent reason. Pressing the reset button and removing power was unsuccessful.

Check the SD card of your AKCP monitoring device. In safe mode, perform a scan of the SD card to identify defective blocks. If defective blocks are detected, replace the SD card and reboot the AKCP securityProbe. Then upload the latest firmware using a crossover cable. Please use the IPSet tool, which you can download free of charge here in the AKCP shop. Afterwards, your AKCP securityProbeX20 alarm system should function properly again.

• During scanning of the internal SD card of my securityProbe5E, bad blocks are displayed

If errors such as "Bad Blocks" are displayed during SD scan of your securityProbe, you should request a new SD card for your securityProbe5E, securityProbe-X20 or securityProbe-X60 monitoring device from the support of the official AKCP importer Didactum Ltd. Germany. After inserting the new SD card into the securityProbe rack monitoring system, please start the latest InuxIPSet5.8.1 tool. You can download this AKCP utility including the latest securityProbe firmware HERE from your Didactum Ltd. Germany securityProbe provider.

After connecting the securityProbe via crossover cable, start the InuxIPSet5.8.1 tool and install the new firmware. Afterwards, your rack monitoring system including the new securityProbe SD card should operate as expected again.

• How many data points can the securityProbe record?

The AKCP securityProbe monitoring systems can record more than 8600 measurement points for each individual sensor. So, for example, assuming temperature data is recorded every 15 minutes, there is enough space for 90 days of temperature logging. The securityProbe can store up to 35,000 data points per connected sensor in the RRDTool database. If, for example, you log temperature every 15 minutes in the server room, this results in a recording capacity of over one year.

• How do I export the measurement data recorded by the securityProbe?

For each sensor connected to the securityProbe, you can export the RRDTool database with the recorded measurement data. Simply click on the "Download Data" menu item. The export of measurement data is done in a text file to allow easy import into Microsoft Excel.

• I want to export the measurement data to MS Excel.

Via Remote Syslog, you can collect the measurement data of the individual sensors. In the Settings page of the securityProbe web interface, under >> System Maintenance >>, you can back up all settings into a backup file, including the syslog data. Under Settings page >> Feature >> System Log, you can also use Remote Syslog.

• How do I update the firmware of my new securityProbe 5E?

First, check if new firmware is available for your securityProbe 5E. The firmware is provided as a zip file in the protected download area of AKCP partner Didactum®. Unpack the file, for example to drive C. The firmware file is usually named sec4xxx.bin, and you will also find the tool IPSetx.x.x.x.exe, with which you can update the firmware. Here we describe the simplest method via the web interface of your securityProbe 5E:

Please connect the securityProbe 5E with the supplied cross-over cable directly to your PC’s network port. Alternatively, you can update over the network. Then log into the web interface. If you cannot determine the IP address, use the IPSet tool, which is also in the zip file.

In the System tab, find System Maintenance:

Important:

In the case of major firmware upgrades, existing configuration may be erased. To avoid losing settings, always back up the configuration before updating. After saving the configuration, click Firmware Upgrade; the securityProbe will restart in Safe Mode. The reboot can take up to 1 minute. After refreshing your browser, the Safe Mode window appears. Select your firmware file and click Upgrade. Do not close or refresh the browser window during the process. The progress bar shows update progress. Depending on firmware size, this can take up to 30 minutes. After successful completion, the securityProbe 5E will restart automatically. The system log will report "Upgrade Firmware was successfully completed".

If you encounter issues during firmware upgrades of your AKCP securityProbe 5E, please contact Didactum®’s technical support. Note that Didactum® only supports AKCP hardware purchased directly through Didactum® or authorized distributors/resellers. Please provide the MAC address. Customers who purchased elsewhere must contact their dealer or provide a cost confirmation form.

• Will sensor settings on the E-sensor8 expansion module be preserved during a firmware update of the securityProbe-5E?

Ensure that during firmware update of the securityProbe-5E, the E-sensor8 expansion modules including the environmental sensors are connected. This ensures that settings of connected sensors are carried over. As always, a configuration backup prior to update is recommended.

• I want to restore my AKCP monitoring hardware to factory defaults.

If you want to restore sensorProbe or securityProbe monitoring hardware to factory defaults, use the Configure v.3.1 tool.

• What types of data logging do the securityProbe monitoring systems provide?

The AKCP securityProbe-5E, securityProbe-X20, and securityProbe-X60 support two types of logging. Proprietary logging is designed for ease of use, and data can be exported with the included AKCP tools (on CD). For more advanced analysis, many third-party tools are compatible, such as Cacti, which works very well.

The built-in RRDTool of the securityProbe servers provides graphical analysis of all connected sensors. Views can be adjusted by day, week, month, or year.

• How can I save video streams of connected surveillance cameras locally?

Video streams of cameras connected to the securityProbe 5E can be saved locally. Each minute creates a new AVI file with date and time overlay. A NAS storage is recommended. Recording options can be found in the Summary tab of the securityProbe:

After clicking "Record", the "Record Setting Panel" menu appears. Here, you specify frame count, storage size, recording duration (hours/days), and whether old files should be overwritten.

For more IP video surveillance questions with securityProbe5E, Didactum® technical support is available.

• What is the purpose of the Heartbeat feature of the securityProbe5E?

The Heartbeat feature enables the securityProbe5E (AK-SEC-5E) to send Keep Alive emails or Alive traps to show it is operational. The frequency of heartbeat messages can be customized.

• How can I shut down my UNIX/Linux servers in case of an alarm with the securityProbe5E?

The premium monitoring solution of the securityProbe5E series can shut down Linux/Unix servers in case of an alarm in data centers and server rooms.

• Can I connect cameras from other manufacturers to the securityProbe-5E?

Analog surveillance cameras from other manufacturers can be connected to the securityProbe-5E via BNC inputs. For PT cameras, ensure Pelco-D/RS485 protocol support. Didactum® technicians compiled a list of tested cameras compatible with securityProbe5E. You may request a free copy from support, or ask Didactum® to test your preferred camera in their lab. Good results have been seen with Samsung cameras.

• How to activate preinstalled Nagios on securityProbe5E?

In the menu of the AKCP securityProbe5E, go to Setup > Services and Security, then enable Nagios. You can then use the Nagios management system. Didactum® also offers recommended Nagios training.

• How can I back up the configuration of my securityProbe-5E alarm server?

Didactum® support recommends saving configurations before firmware updates. You may also load settings to other AKCP units in your company to save setup time. To back up:

In the Settings tab of the web interface, go to System Administrator > System Maintenance and click Backup all Settings. Save the configuration locally.

• How can I determine the firmware version of my AKCP securityProbe?

In the web interface, click Help > About securityProbe for firmware version under System Description.

• Can I name the dry contacts of my securityProbe-X20?

Yes, you can name all 20 dry contacts individually (e.g. fault contact UPS system 01). In the Web UI under Sensors > Dry Contact Settings, you can label contacts with custom names for faster alarm identification.

• What languages are supported by the securityProbe alarm servers?

The web interface is multilingual with support for German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese (as of November 2008).

• The CPSERVER task of my AKCP securityProbe consumes too much CPU

If this task consumes excessive resources, lower the JPEG Q-factor of the securityProbe cameras under Advanced Camera Settings. A Q-factor value of 50 (default) is usually sufficient.

• What is the Nagios password of the AKCP securityProbe (AK-SEC)?

User: "nagiosadmin" / Password: "admin" (without quotes).

• Can the securityProbe send voice alerts with the GPRS/GSM modem DD-SI-GSM?

Yes. Didactum® offers an adapter for this modem. In the menu, configure alerts with the Telephone Call Action Wizard. You can also assign custom recorded wave files ("Warning: Water leak in server room 1"). A detailed manual is available from Didactum® support free of charge.

• How do I reset the securityProbe to factory defaults?

In the web interface go to System Maintenance and click Reset All User Data to Defaults. This is recommended before returning demo units to Didactum®.

• I want to use expansion modules with my securityProbe-5E.

For E-sensor8 or E-opto16 modules, make sure your securityProbe-5E firmware is up to date. Instructions can be found in AKCP FAQs.

• How can I access securityProbe remotely with mobile phone?

You need a Nokia phone with Symbian OS. Supported models include N71, N80, N92, E60, etc. The Mobile Access Software can be requested from AKCP or Didactum®.

• Which GSM/GPRS modem is required for the securityProbe (AKSEC)?

Didactum® offers a suitable GSM/GPRS modem for securityProbe. It provides redundant alerts via SMS/email in case of network outages, and allows remote access. The DD-SI-GSM modem bundle can be ordered directly from Didactum® sales.

• Which modem is used for voice notifications of the securityProbe?

DLINK DFM560E and DLINK DFM562E have been tested successfully. These can be ordered from Didactum®.

• What storage capacity does the securityProbe-5E have for sensor data?

The new securityProbe devices can store approx. 44,000 points per intelligent sensor. With a polling interval of 10 minutes, data can be logged for up to 9 months. They ship with a 2GB SD card, and up to 16GB cards are supported. To ensure safety, it is recommended to regularly export data. Didactum® recommends using securityServer or OpenNMS for storage of sensor data.

• Which WiFi adapter is supported by AKCP securityProbe systems?

The systems support USB adapters with ZD1211 chipset. Didactum® offers an AKCP Wireless USB Adapter that can be directly configured via the web interface for wireless access.

• How can I extend the login session timeout of securityProbe?

In the web interface under System > System Administrator > Change Password > Login Session Time Out, you can set a custom timeout duration.

• What batteries are required for sensorProbe8 and securityProbe servers?

The devices use 3V coin cells. Recommended type is Maxell CR2052. Replacement can be arranged by technical support if needed.