V R I CO N T R OL®

MONITORING SOLUTIONS

Minkels
VariControl-L
Rack Security
 Rack security solutions

ADVANTAGES OF HID BASED RACK

SECURITY
The Minkels VariControl-L rack security
solutions vary in intelligence. VariControl
HID Direct and HID-485 are the most
intelligent solutions, with integrated
RFID technology and IP communications
options.

Customers choose HID based rack security

for the following reasons:

Security – Lost HID cards can be
deactivated within seconds of reporting
the loss and the management of an ID
card system is more effective than a keys
management plan.
Centralised access management &
remote management – Insight into all
rack-level activities, including remotely
opening racks, groups and zones.
Low OPEX – After a one-time investment
in the VariControl-L Admin Suite,
the costs of operation are significantly
lower than the costs involved in
managing a keys plan.

VariControl-L BASIC - Electromechanical

swing handles that are easy to operate via a
simple relay port. The primary advantage of
VariControl-L is that it can be integrated in
almost all existing building management or
access control systems.
IT infrastructures are vulnerable. Securing the access to data and equipment doesn’t stop at the door of a datacentre
VariControl-L HID - Complete access control
or computer room. Rack-level security is becoming more and more important for organizations, in part driven by an actions, so that a user can verify afterwards who has accessed a
solutions for racks that work with handles,
certain rack and when. There is also high demand for surveillance software and HID cards. Built-in antennas
increasing awareness of vulnerability as well as stricter laws and regulations. Commercial datacentres in
sensors (to see whether the side panels have been removed), side with RFID technology (Radio Frequency
particular are showing enormous growth in their demand for security solutions. An important part of this demand panel locks that lock from the inside, and door contact sensors (to Identification) are used for handling
verify whether a door is closed). authorisation. The software is installed
is generated by the needs and more stringent requirements in datacentre security from the customers of these centrally on a server and can communicate
NPR 5313 AND EN50600 STANDARD with all locks and corresponding devices
collocation services. over the network (Ethernet).
More stringent laws and standards also contribute to the
enormous growth in demand for security solutions for datacentre
More and more commercial datacentres, government vulnerable when different people can access a rack that is not racks. In the Netherlands, one such standard is the Nederlandse VariControl-L HID DIRECT and HID-485

organisations, financial institutions and other organisations with well-secured or not secured at all. Praktijk Richtlijn Computerruimtes en Datacenters (NPR 5313 - The difference between HID-Direct
and HID-485 is how they communicate
sensitive data on their systems are opting for rack-level security standard for computer rooms and datacentres). It focuses
with the network. The HID-Direct has a
for their equipment. A growing demand for rack security solutions The security solutions they are asking for not only involve installing significantly on datacentre security measures. This standard forms
direct Ethernet connection. The HID-485
is generated in part by the autonomous needs of organisations cylinder locks on the racks, but also electronic security with pass the basis for more stringent guidelines in EN50600, the European
communicates over a serial RS-485 bus and
that are coming to the realisation that an IT infrastructure remains code systems, such as RFID technology for authorising and logging standard for fitting out datacentres and computer rooms.
can be connected to an Ethernet network
via a gateway.
VARICONTROL-L VariControl-L HID-485 VARICONTROL-L BASIC All VariControl-L solutions can be extended with contact sensors to
Minkels VariControl-L is a datacentre security product line with three Only the gateway is assigned an IP address, the handles are VariControl-L Basic can be integrated into an existing building ensure all rack doors are securely closed.
different solutions in rack security, varying in intelligence and closely identified by an ID number on an RS-485 bus. management or access control system. VariControl-L Basic opens
aligned with a wide range of client-specific needs. Up to 32 handles per gateway. a rack upon receiving a signal from an authorised user via the VARICONTROL-L HID ADMIN SUITE
BUS cabling between the junction boxes, handles and gateway. host system. Moreover, the Basic handle can also be connected Minkels supplies the VariControl-L HID Admin Suite, with the
VARICONTROL-L HID-DIRECT AND HID-485 The cables run from cabinet to cabinet. to a HID handle, thus functioning as a slave. Depending on the VariControl-L HID rack security concept. It is a software solution
VariControl HID-Direct is ideal for racks that are spread over a larger Very cost-efficient when the cabinets are located in a access status of the HID handle, the Basic will also open or close that can handle the management and administration of the
area with connectivity via a single network. central area. automatically. The advantages of this ‘master-slave’ combination is intelligent VariControl-L HID rack security systems. The software
VariControl HID-485 is a smart and cost-efficient solution for the simplified management, cabling and cost savings. solution is installed on a centralised server and can communicate
centralised datacentres, for environments with no more than32 VariControl-L HID with keypad over the network (Ethernet) with all the locks and corresponding
handles that share a single gateway on the network. Both the HID-Direct and the HID-485 handle can be supplied with To be integrated with: devices. The software solution can centrally manage the
an integrated keypad. The keypad with number code can provide Building surveillance systems. configuration and administration of the authorisation policy and
VariControl-L HID-Direct additional functionality to the HID handle in two different ways. VariControl-L HID handle (master-slave) the users, handles, HID cards and related accessories.
Each handle is given an IP address. It can generate a code, so that the administrator has access to all
Each handle is directly connected to the Ethernet Network. the racks with the same code at all times for example, and where
Simple cabling. users gain access with an HID proximity card. It can also be used as
High security: few components / connections. a second level of security, whereby the user must have a code and
Well-suited for multiple rows of cabinets and isolated cabinets the HID proximity card to gain access to the rack.
throughout the building.
Simple installation.
 HID BASED RACK SECURITY presenting the correct HID proximity card. This means that the rack can
There are different arguments to choose HID based rack security. still be accessed and security is still guaranteed, even in the event of a
The main reasons that customers choose VariControl-L HID are: power failure.
security, centralised access management & remote administration,
Documented XML interface for direct implementation by third Centralised access system and generation of lockout timetables plus the advantage of lower operating costs. Centralised access management & remote administration – HID based
party systems. for individuals and groups. rack security provides extensive logging and management oversight of
Reduced data traffic because only events are logged. Double checks can be selected if required. Security – The loss of rack keys results in an unsecure situation all activities at the rack level. Even if the network is down, the activities
Encrypted data communications between hardware, Supports common transponder types. in the datacentre that can last for hours or even days. A lost HID will still be logged. Upon recovery of the network, this information will
server and client. Registers all actions as ‘event logs’. card can be deactivated within seconds of being reported. A card then be synchronised with the database. HID based rack security also
Compatible with Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Real-time visuals of the swing handle stations. management system is much more flexible and can be managed provides the capability to remotely open rack doors and activate groups
Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Citrix. Lockout times can be configured for different days. more effectively. This makes a rack significantly more secure. It is or complete zones in the datacentre.
Manages different users with different permissions. Time profiles and lock behaviour can be configured by the user. also possible to add additional security to the rack with the ‘four-
Server/client capability. Capability to import and export ‘event logs’. eye’ principle. The software can be configured to only open a rack Reduced operating costs – There is a one-time investment in the
Users enter record changes into the system. Multilingual software. once 2 HID proximity cards have been presented. This means that VariControl-l HID Admin Suite when opting for HID based rack security.
Extensive alert system, including automatic e-mail alerts. Readable with SNMP 2 people have to be present to gain access to the rack. The system After that, the operating costs are limited to personnel management
comes with built-in redundancy in case of power failure. Besides costs involved in issuing cards and adjusting any settings. These costs are
the standard power source, the handle can also be powered significantly less than managing a traditional keys plan.
by a battery pack, after which access can only be granted upon
MINKELS NETHERLANDS MINKELS FRANCE
Eisenhowerweg 12 Bâtiment D2
P.O. Box 28 19 Bd. Georges Bidault
5460 AA Veghel 77183 Croissy Beaubourg
t. +31 (0)413 311 100 t. +33 (0)164 61 61 91
[email protected] [email protected]

MINKELS BELGIUM MINKELS INTERNATIONAL

Vaartdijk 59 Eisenhowerweg 12
3018 Wijgmaal (Louvain) P.O. Box 28
t. +32 (0)16 44 2010 5460 AA Veghel
[email protected] t. +31 (0)413 311 100
[email protected]
MINKELS SWITZERLAND
Riedstrasse 3-5 USA
CH -6330 Cham Uptime Technology Solutions
t. +41 (0)41 748 4060 1630 North Main St. #333
[email protected] Walnut Creek, CA 94596
t. +1 925-783 4668
MINKELS UK
Unit 4 GERMANY
M40 Industrial Centre In der Mühlweide 20
Blenheim Road 61130 Nidderau
Cressex Business Park t. +49 (0) 173 6634 862
High Wycombe
Bucks, HP12 3RS
t. +44 (0)1494 451706
[email protected] WWW.MINKELS.COM

VCL-L-BRV02-EN