C•CURE 800/8000 Hardware Configuration Guide - Tyco Security ...

Cluster Communications OverviewCluster Communications OverviewControllers use the primary communications path to communicate with theC•CURE System host. Establishing and maintaining a connection with thehost involves the following actions:• Establishing connections via the primary communications path. You setup a primary communications path for a cluster when configuringcontrollers and clusters.• Downloading cardholder and configuration information from the host tothe controller.• Maintaining communications via the primary communications path. If acommunications failure occurs on the primary communications path,controllers can re-establish communications via a secondarycommunications path.Establishing Connections Via the Primary Communications PathThe primary communications path is the first path that controllers use toestablish communications with the host. The path is comprised of thefollowing connections:• The master connects directly to the host using a network connection.• Cluster members connect to the master using a network connection. Afterconnections are established, the master manages cluster communicationsby passing messages between cluster members and the host.Connections are established in a bottom-to-top order. Thus, clusters membersare responsible for establishing connections with the master, and the master isresponsible for establishing a connection with the host.Setting Up the Primary Communications PathBefore controllers can establish any connections, you must configure thecluster’s primary communications path by performing the following tasks:• Use the C•CURE Administration Application to configure controllersand the cluster. See “Configuring iSTAR eX Controllers” on page 2-11and“Configuring Clusters” on page 2-34 for information.2–28 C•CURE 800/8000 Hardware Configuration Guide