Module 3 / Lesson 1
Controller Responsibilities
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The controller is the brain of the door. It makes access decisions locally, so the system keeps working even if the network or server is unavailable.
What a controller does
- Stores a local copy of cardholders, access levels, and schedules
- Decides grant or deny when a credential arrives
- Monitors inputs (door position, request-to-exit, tamper)
- Activates outputs (unlock the strike or mag lock)
- Buffers events and reports them to the management system
Offline operation
Because decisions are made at the controller, doors keep enforcing policy during a network outage. Events are buffered locally and uploaded once the connection returns.