BioStar 2.6 has been released. There is a major change in the license policy along with other improvements and new functionalities. Please check the items below before upgrading and align them with your sales and technical service plans.
* this announcement has been republished after changing an error in the license section. MSSQL Database is not restricted by any license.
New Devices
- BioLite N2
- Xpass D2
- BioMini Plus 2 (USB fingerprint enrollment scanner)
New Features
System
- DST(Daylight Saving Time)
- Database encryption key management
- Necessary ports status display
- System log retention period & level settings
- Video module support for MSSQL Database
User & Card
- Card removal from blacklist
- Wiegand card search from unassigned card
- SEOS card support
- User ID auto increment
- Hex values for smart card primary & secondary keys
- Private Auth support for AoC
- User data auto delete option at the issuance of AoC
Device
- Device setting reset without network settings
- FW upgrade alert
- Wiegand Legacy mode support
- Wiegand In & Out same time use settings for 2ch Wiegand interfaces supported devices.
- Device duress input
- User & log delete on tamper event (secure tamper)
- VoIP SIP server auth ID value input support
Monitoring
- Door column added to Event Log in Monitoring
Zone
- Muster Zone
- Interlock Zone (Local zone only with CoreStation as Master)
Major Changes
AC License policy change
Background
The original BioStar 2 AC license has been questioned for its effectiveness. Many partners and resellers pointed out on missing layers on the AC license policy, because these layers can be used to develop a variety of product packages and can motivate the resellers and installers by giving them a nominal item they can use to make another revenue or offset their technical support cost.
Therefore, it was decided to support door and feature based license policy. So, if the customer wants to use BioStar 2 only for the device and user management, there will be no license required, but if the customer wants to use AC functionalities above the free minimum level, appropriate licenses need be activated.
The below is the overall license policy design.
License changes in Biostar 2.6
| Free Version | |
| AC Core | |
| User | No limit |
| Device | No limit |
| Door | Max 5 |
*There’s no limitation on the number of users and devices
| AC License Package | ||||||||||
| Basic | Standard | Advanced | Professional | Enterprise | ||||||
| AC | Door | Max 20 | Max 50 | Max 100 | Max 300 | Max 1000 | ||||
| Zone | O | O | O | O | ||||||
| Elevator | O | O | O | |||||||
| Server Matching | O | O | O | |||||||
| Cloud (API Server included) | O | O | O | O | ||||||
| Mobile Card | Max 250 | Max 500 | Max 1,000 | 1,000+ | ||||||
| Video License | |
| | Video |
| Video Log | O |
*Video is a separated license supporting video monitoring logs. Need an advanced license to be used.
Once activated, video settings and video logs can be seen from BioStar client, and there’s no limit on the number of NVR and Cameras. But, BioStar 2 video recommends up to 2 NVRs and 8 cameras per NVR usage.
Configuration Guides
(some articles are existing articles but have been updated with changes)
System
How to Configure BioStar 2 Server Ports
How to Manually Manage Server & Device Encryption Key
How to configure Daylight Saving Time
How to configure Custom Admin about Monitoring section
How to delete logs periodically
Card
How to Configure Hexadecimal Card Key
How to issue smart cards (SEOS added)
How to delete personal information when issuing Access on card
Device
How to Configure SIP Authentication ID
How to configure One Device(Legacy) Mode
Simultaneous use of Wiegand In & Out
How to configure Secure Tamper
How to keep network settings during factory default
How to configure an action for duress authentication event
Zone
How to Configure a Muster Zone
How to Configure an Alarm Zone
How to Configure an Interlock Zone
Monitoring
Door field displayed in the Event Log
Mobile
How to enroll fingerprints through BioMini via Mobile app
FAQ
Q. Can I use BioStar 2 in HTTPS mode without downloading the certificate?
A: No, in BioStar 2.6 you must have the certificate applied for BioStar web client to operate properly.
Refer to the configuration guide to apply the certificate on your client PC.
Q. When can we know about the price information?
A: Please inquire our sales team.
Q. Does BioStar 2 T&A license also change with 2.6v?
A: T&A License policy will remain the same, but it will be also changed with 2.7v or later version.
Q. How will the current AC standard license be applied after ugrading?
A: When upgrading to 2.6v with already applied AC SE license, Advance License Package will be automatically applied
Refer to the following article: license changes
Q. What happens if my customer upgrades without obtaining the appropriate license?
A: A license key will be requested in the installation process and the upgrade process will not proceed if a proper license isn't entered.
Refer to the license changes article.
Q. Where can I find the configuration guides regarding the new features?
A: You can refer to the manual regarding the basic features. A knowledgebase guide will be uploaded this week and updated on this article as well
Q. Where can I find a video introducing the new features?
A: A video guide will be ready within a few weeks and posted at our knowledgebase.
Q. Is the database backup process the same as before?
A: There is an additional step you have to take because of a new security feature. You have to back up the encryption key. Refer to the articles below:
[BioStar 2] Database Backup and Restore Instructions (Maria DB)
[Both BioStar] MS SQL Database Backup and Restore Instructions
Q. How do I upgrade from an old version of BioStar 2 to BioStar 2.6?
Refer to the BioStar 2 upgrade article.
Q. Where can I find the new firmware?
If you downloaded the CD zip file, the firmware will be included in the .zip file. If you only downloaded the 32 bit or 64 bit installer, you also have to download the firmware package. In both cases, after installing BioStar 2, you have to create a firmware folder in the BioStar 2 installation folder (C:\Program Files\BioStar 2(x64)) and paste the firmware files to use them in BioStar 2. Refer to the following article.
Download Link