COGNITUM
What is the purpose of Cognitum?
Cognitum is a software application designed to transform a PC into a fantastic alarm receiver/router. It takes alarm events from internal exprecium cards or from connected external receivers and transmits them to PC, network or over the Internet.
How does Cognitum work? Cognitum routes incoming alarm signals from internal Exprecium boards or external receivers on serial and Ethernet port. Cognitum can transmit those incoming signals to selected destinations over serial ports and Ethernet port. It has built-in signal filters and procedures to send alarms to back-up or redundant destinations, locally or over Internet.
How do I get support or high-end features of Cognitum? Cognitum basic distribution is shareware. To get support for it or to use the Internet and Ethernet features, you must purchase a license.
Will I be able to receive conventional alarms over phone lines in one city and direct them over Internet to another city where my Central Stations is located? Yes, with Extrium and Cognitum, Internet connection and compatible Central station software at the receiving end, you can retransmit alarms over Internet.
Can Extrium act as a remote receiver and interface directly with my Central station software? Yes, Extrium is compatible with SECURITHOR (coming in 2006). Extrium unit can be in one city and send events to SECURITHOR directly. For large volume of traffic we advise that you install an Extrium concentrator unit or Cognitum software to handle signal traffic at the receiving end.
Will I be able to connect my old external receiver to Cognitum? Cognitum can handle several serial ports, USB ports if your PC has them. All receivers emulating MCDI or Surgard protocols will be able to connect to Cognitum. Ademco 685 format will be added in 2006.
Does this mean my old receiver will be able to send alarms over LAN or Internet? Yes, Cognitum will be the one doing the job but indeed your old receiver will get a second life.
Will my old receiver benefit from all redundancy options of Cognitum? Yes it will. Once your old receiver transmits its alarm event to Extrium, it’s up to Extrium to do the job. In Extrium, all events are sent to a destination. Extrium is defined with routing instructions in case of failure to reach a destination. Those instructions may be to keep resending until an answer comes or to send to a second destination.
Will Cognitum transmit my old receiver signals to several destinations? Yes, it will. Extrium can send to up to 16 destinations at the time.
Will I be able to see on Cognitum the signal coming from my old receiver? Yes, Cognitum has a live traffic window. You can also check Cognitum log traffic and compile statistics.
Why is Cognitum only available on CD? Cognitum is a Linux application and comes with it’s own Linux operating system (fedora 2 kernel 2.6) and installer. The whole ensemble is 680MB. The installer on the CD is designed to install only the Linux components needed for Cognitum and Cognitum itself.
Why is Cognitum running only on Linux? In short stability. In our experience, for the purpose of alarm processing, Linux is far more stable and secure especially when using Internet features.
Will you make a Windows version? No windows version is planned and most likely none will be developed. However, Extrium, a hardware port of Cognitum can be controlled from a connected PC.
Can I use my own Linux distribution? You can. We prefer that you use our distribution that we support. A lot of work has been put in Cognitum and its Linux distribution to insure utmost stability and ease of use. We do not support other distributions than our own.
What are the minimum requirements for Cognitum?
A PC with 350MHz, 2GB hard disk, 128MB ram and brand name Ethernet card or controller. Although not ultimately necessary, a display of 800 x 600 is nice for the initial installation. It can be used to visualize live traffic afterward. With a set-up like this, MCDI was able to test a load of 400 000 signals per day. If you experience heavier traffic, we advise that you contact us to get an opinion on hardware requirements.
Can I install Cognitum on a partition and windows already installed on my PC? Yes, this option is available when installing Cognitum. For testing purposes you can choose to create a Linux partition that will cohabit with your windows on the PC. This will require at least 2GB of disk space. We advice that you do not use partitions for live use of Cognitum.
Can I get online support and upgrades for Cognitum? Yes, You first need to ‘invite’ MCDI support staff by selecting this option in your Cognitum machine; MCDI support personal can then access your Cognitum machine online. This requires that you have an Internet connection and that your firewall is set to let MCDI access.
EXTRIUM
Are MCDI SP Products RoHS compliant
Our new products manufactured after September 1st 2006 will all be RoHS compliant. D3, D6, Exprecium 3 and the Extrium family are all RoHS. Legacy products such and products designed prior to 2006 are all non RoHS. Those products will be converted to newer RoHS compliant models to be announced. More information on RoHS compliance can be found at www.rohs.gov.uk
What are the difference between Cognitum and Extrium?
Cognitum is only a software application. Extrium includes Cognitum. Some models of the Extrium family come equipped with internal phone alarm receivers and/or internal database and high-end connectivity with SECURITHOR database.
What is the purpose of Extrium?
Extrium is a ‘dispatching’ center for alarms. It also provides IP features to alarm receivers. Some Extrium configurations can receive alarms over phone lines while some other are only routing alarms from external receivers. They all take charge of alarms from receivers and retransmit to destination that you pre-selected. Those destinations can be Extrium screen display, Extrium several serial outputs, USB output or destinations over IP (local network or over internet).
How does Extrium work? Extrium is equipped with a CPU, embedded Linux OS and a program based on Cognitum. It identifies all alarms from connected or internal receiver and sends each alarm event to one destination or to many destinations at the time. Extrium will also send an alarm to an alternate destination of your choice if your first choice is not responding.
Is Extrium equipped with memory? Yes, Extrium comes with memory that allows safekeeping of the last 64000 events. Extrium is also equipped with small flash memory cards that will allow storage of 64MB of information.
Is Extrium able to fit in a PC or a rack mount? Yes, Extrium for factor is the same as a CD burner unit (5.25 inches). By removing a protective cover it can be included in a PC or Rack mount 1 unit.
Will I be able to rent space at an Internet provider or a telephone company in another city to host my Extrium? Yes. Most good Internet providers will rent space and connection. Extrium is of a small form factor and can be powered by 12V DC or from 96-240V transformer supplied with the unit. Extrium is also supplier with one 100Mb Ethernet RJ45 plug.
Does Extrium require a lot of maintenance? No, we designed Extrium with practically no mechanical parts and keeping in mind it may be installed in remote location not easily accessible. Extrium is also designed to be enclosed in PCs and to run without a fan. Nearly all options can be configured over Internet, allowing you to change a setting even from 6000KM.
Can Extrium act as a remote receiver and interface directly with my Central station software? Yes, Extrium is compatible with SECURITHOR. Extrium unit can be in one city and send events to SECURITHOR directly. For large volume of traffic we advise that you install an Extrium concentrator unit or Cognitum software at receiving end to handle signal traffic.
Will I be able to connect my old external receiver to Extrium? Extrium has several serial ports, 2 USB ports and an Ethernet port. All receivers emulating MCDI or Surgard protocols will be able to connect to Extrium. Ademco 685 format will be added in 2007.
Does this mean my old receiver will be able to send alarms over LAN or Internet? Yes, Extrium will be the one doing the job but indeed your old receiver will get a second life.
Will my old receiver benefit from all redundancy options of Extrium? Yes it will. Once your old receiver transmits its alarm event to Extrium, it’s up to Extrium to do the job. In Extrium, all events are sent to a destination. Extrium is defined with routing instructions in case of failure to reach a destination. Those instructions may be to keep resending until an answer comes or to send to a second destination.
Will Extrium transmit my old receiver signals to several destinations? Yes, it will. Extrium can send to up to 16 destinations at the time.
Will I be able to see on Extrium screen info about the account, event it the signal came from my old receiver? Yes, a model of the family, ExtriumDB, acts as a mini Central station. In ExtriumDB, up to 4000 accounts basic information can be stored and up to 3 tables of alarm codes can be selected. This information will be seen on ExtriumDB screen.
Will I be able to receive alarms over IP in the future? MCDI’s EXTRIUM is ready to receive alarms over IP. We already integrated alarms from JR Security Panels are we are waiting for the various panel manufacturers to release coding or to come up with alarms over IP panel.
How can I get a reliable Internet connection for my Extrium or Cognitum? Our experience with Internet connection is you have what you pay for. If your Extrium unit is hosted at an Internet provider or phone company site, your connection is more likely to be a good one. If you pay for a dedicated link, you are likely to have a good connection.
Can I use Extrium with DSL links or modem cables? Extrium and Cognitum require a router to connect to Internet. Most routers will work with both type of Internet modem. You must be aware that Extrium or Cognitum Internet functions will not work if you connection is not up.
How can I insure redundancy in my Internet connection? There are some routers able to handle 2 Internet connections or switch from one to the other. Most major manufacturers like Cisco, Nortel, Linksys, D-Link or Netgear have models with redundant connectivity. Having 2 providers with 2 different means of transportation will insure a better uptime of your Central IP functions. For example you must insure that your 2 DSL providers are not using the same phone pole or local phone central.
Will I loose alarm information when my router is switching from one provider to the other? No, Extrium and Cognitum expect an acknowledge of transmission from the destination. If an alarm packet was not received, it will be resend as defined i.e. several times or send to an alternate destination.
Will Extrium include a list of my accounts and alarm codes? Yes, one model in the Extrium family will hold a database of 4000 accounts and 4 tables of alarm codes. It will display comprehensive information on your customers accounts and will be able to interface over LAN or Internet with SECURITHOR for a more accounts. It’s purpose is not to replace WinSAMM or SECURITHOR in a Central stations but to give more flexibility to stand alone users such as Guard boots, nurse desks and police stations.
Will I be able to review alarm traffic of Extrium? Yes, on a PC connected directly to Extrium or over Internet, you will be able to browse through Extrium logs or to see it live. Some browsing can be accomplished on Extrium display.
Legal notice: FAQ information is written broad general terms and may not apply to some specific MCDI units, software version or commercial dealings. Information may be changed without prior notice and may be updated or rectified without prior notice. MCDI is not responsible for any interpretation of the FAQ information or any use or installation that MCDI did not approved specifically. Testing should always be performed prior to using a monitoring system or software. If you need more information, contact MCDI sales department at : mcdi@mcdi.com
