The AC5102 advanced central controller can be programmed with up to 500‚000 cardholders and up to 96 doors. It has been specially designed for maximum flexibility‚ and provides six separate field level network (FLN) channels. Each FLN is capable of hosting up to 16 local devices for access control‚ monitoring input devices or controlling output devices. The AC5102 also has a diagnostic port that provides a direct connection to its micro-processor to facilitate the download of operating instructions (firmware). Firmware updates can be made without having to visit the controller cabinets. Communication to the host system occurs via a 10/100Mb Ethernet connection. This allows communications over any WAN or LAN where devices on the network can be assigned a unique IP address. This type of communication ensures the fastest possible transaction times between the host system and AC5102 field panels. The AC5102 hosts a tamper input that can be used to detect if the cabinet in which it has been mounted has been opened. It also provides an alarm output that can operate a visual or audio alarm when security has been breached.