Episode 11 - Alarm Process Walkthrough

Alarm Troubleshooting Overview

  • Users may report alarms not working due to various reasons:

    • Computer not sending alarms.

    • Missing location information from alarms.

    • Alarms being sent but not received by anyone.

  • Begin troubleshooting by verifying the end-to-end process, starting from workstation key press to alarm reception at the security computer.

Checking the Workstation

  • Access the PC Clients Page:

    • Navigate to the Setup menu and select PC Clients.

    • Search for the specific computer using the computer name or user’s username for efficiency.

  • Assess Computer Communication:

    • Icons displayed next to the computer on the PC Clients page:

      • Red Icons: Indicate the computer cannot communicate with the server, preventing alarm activation. Possible causes:

        • Computer replaced.

        • Computer no longer on the network.

        • LINX client software removal.

      • Green Icons: Indicate normal communication with the server, which allows alarm activation.

Verifying Location and Profiles

  • Location Information:

    • If the location is missing, enter it in the macro lookup screen under the Setup menu.

  • Check the Workstation Profile:

    • The profile being used can be found under PC Client Profiles.

    • Select the profile (e.g., Testing) and click View Profile.

    • Verify Keyboard Alarm Settings:

      • Identify key combinations for alarm activation (e.g., F9 and F11 activate "LYNX key pro channel zero zero one").

Alarm Configuration

  • Verify Alarm Channel Settings:

    • Go to Setup menu and select Alarm Setup.

    • Check the Links Key Pro Alarm group for configurations:

      • Confirm that the activated alarm (e.g., Panic Button Pressed) directs alarms to the Security group.

      • An empty destination indicates alarms can be activated but are not sent anywhere.

    • To assign a destination, click on the empty box and use the Add function to include relevant recipients from the dropdown list.

Checking the Message Log

  • Review Message Log for Alarm Entries:

    • Access via Reports menu and select Message Log.

    • If no entry exists for the alarm activation:

      • Investigate potential user error or software malfunction at the workstation.

    • If there are entries:

      • Click on them for detailed information:

        • Verify intended recipients and whether the alarm was received by anyone.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the complete alarm process allows for effective troubleshooting of any issues that may occur, identifying possible fail points from the workstation to the security reception.