OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) readers are advanced access control readers that offer secure, bidirectional communication between access control panels and readers.
They provide enhanced security with AES-128 encryption, reduce wiring costs by supporting multi-drop installations (coming soon in Genea), and enable real-time monitoring of reader status for better diagnostics and system reliability.
Genea supports OSDP readers with Mercury controllers, and to configure the readers in Genea, the settings should align with the HID Reader Manager app.
OSDP Reader Wiring:
Configure OSDP Reader from HID Reader Manager App:
To configure a HID reader for OSDP functionality, use the HID Reader Manager mobile app, available on both Apple and Android devices.
Open the reader manager app from your mobile phone.
Tap Scan for Readers to search for nearby HID readers. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled for detection.
Tap on a detected reader to open a pop-up menu. Use Inspect to view reader details or Locate to trigger a sound for identification. Once identified, tap Inspect to open the Inspection Report.
On the Inspection Report screen, check that the reader is set up for OSDP communication. A green checkmark should appear next to the OSDP line item.
Under Software Configuration, tap Detailed Configuration. When prompted, power cycle the reader as the screen loads.
In Reader Settings, tap Communication Protocol.
Turn on OSDP mode, set the spec compliance to V2, configure the appropriate reader address, and adjust the baud rate as needed.
Tap Add to Template at the bottom of the Communication Protocol screen to confirm the change.
Use the back button to return to Detailed Configuration, then tap Apply Selected Items to finalize the settings.
Once the configuration is completed in the HID Reader Manager app, you can proceed with adding the reader to the Genea dashboard.
Configure OSDP Reader in Genea
Go to the Hardware section in the Genea admin dashboard and select Doors.
Add a new door by entering a name and description.
Next, attach a reader by selecting the reader model number, reader type, and controller. Then, choose the reader port. Starting February 2025, all controllers will have their reader ports set to OSDP by default, so you'll see the communication protocol set to OSDP and the baud rate set to 9600. For older controllers, if Wiegand is displayed, you can change the communication protocol according to your requirements. Fill in the remaining details and click Save to add the reader.
The communication protocol can also be changed from the interface panel's detailed page. To do this, open the interface panel detailed page, scroll down to the reader section, and click on the name of the reader port for which the communication protocol needs to be updated.
OSDP Reader Monitoring
OSDP-enabled readers offer real-time monitoring of reader status, enhancing diagnostics and system reliability.
You can view the reader's connectivity and tamper status on the reader's detailed page, door grids, and access logs.
Troubleshooting OSDP Readers for Common Issues
1.Check Power Supply
Ensure the reader is receiving power.
Use a multimeter to verify the voltage at the reader’s terminals.
Look for LED indicators—no lights could mean a power issue.
2. Inspect Wiring Connections
Confirm that all wires are properly connected: Power (Red/Black), Data (Green/White), and Ground.
Check for any loose, pinched, or broken wires.
Ensure proper polarity and wire mapping per the manufacturer’s wiring diagram.
3. Confirm the OSDP Address
When setting up multiple OSDP readers on the same communication line (multi-drop configuration), each reader must have a unique address.
Most OSDP readers come with a default address, typically set to 0.
If you’re connecting more than one reader to the same RS-485 bus, make sure to assign a unique address to each device.
Address conflicts can prevent readers from responding or being recognized by the controller.
4. Check Baud Rate and Protocol Compatibility
Confirm that the configuration in the HID reader manager app and reader are set to the same baud rate.
If it’s set to 9600 bps (the default), consider increasing it to 115200 bps for faster data transmission.
A low baud rate can slow down communication between the reader and the controller, causing noticeable delays.
5. Check OSDP Secure Mode:
Verify whether OSDP Secure Mode is enabled. For troubleshooting and initial setup, it’s best to disable Secure Mode temporarily, as incorrect configurations can lead to communication lags.
6. Update Firmware
Check with the Genea support team for the latest reader FW version and update instructions.
7. Enable Fast Seos Mode (HID Readers):
If you're using HID Seos readers, open HID Reader Manager and enable Fast Seos Mode to boost processing speed and reduce read times.
8. Disable Unused Formats:
Within the HID Reader Manager app, disable any unused card formats. This minimizes processing overhead and allows the reader to focus only on the formats you're actually using.
9. Contact Genea Technical Support
If all else fails, gather wiring diagrams, and reader details, and reach out to the Genea support team.
If you have any questions about this feature or have any other requests, please reach out to acsupport@getgenea.com.