Date: October 31, 2024
Author: Marek Chládek

2N Access Commander now easier to integrate with third-party software

Version 3.2 adds new automation capabilities that enhance efficiency

2N Access Commander: Integração simplificada com sistemas externos

Today marks the launch of 2N Access Commander 3.2, a significant update to the nerve centre of our access control solutions! Let’s dive into what’s new and what’s improved.

Introducing Node-RED: smart automation, advanced workflows, and easier integration with third-party software

At the heart of the update to 2N Access Commander is the addition of Node-RED, a versatile programming tool designed to streamline automation and integration processes. 

‘Node-RED’ is a browser-based programming tool. It makes it easy to wire together hardware devices, APIs, and online services using a wide range of nodes to create workflows - enhancing convenience. There’s no need to host middleware or run a separate plugin and it’s based on an existing popular automation platform.

A key factor of Node-RED is that it allows users to create both simple and advanced workflows and better integrate access control with security, booking, notification systems – and more! 

While similar to automation in 2N intercoms and access units, Node-RED offers limitless possibilities for connecting to third-party APIs, which enables customized solutions to meet specific user needs. The pre-built example flows included in the release help users understand how to use our custom 2N Access Commander nodes to implement automation without extensive development time.

Manuals, guides, and documentation

  • Our updated manual will include a Node-RED introduction including links to the official Node-RED online documentation
  • Links in the software directly to our manual and the Node-RED guide
  • The 3.2 release includes 8 example flows created by the development team to help users get the best out of our custom nodes
  • Example tutorial videos have been created showing how to use automation in 
  • Access Commander for ‘real world’ scenarios such as push notifications to mobile phones in lockdowns

Improved cybersecurity and compliance

Another key improvement in the update is improved security, particularly with certificate validation. 2N Access Commander already supported FTP and LDAP synchronisation, and now we have added the option to validate TLS to those sync options to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks

This improvement aligns with industry cybersecurity standards, providing businesses with more confidence in the integrity of their systems. Additionally, certificate validation ensures that only authorized devices and servers can interact with the system, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

We have also mitigated vulnerabilities that were discovered in the previous version of the software, specifically in 2N Access Commander 3.1.1.2. You can read more about these vulnerabilities, which were released as individual CVEs, in the 2N Security Advisory. We strongly recommend you upgrade your version of 2N Access Commander to ensure the maximum protection of your 2N solution.

Enhanced usability and administration

The update also addresses user experience, simplifying the management of multiple installations. 2N Access Commander 3.2 allows for more intuitive administration with logical naming for each installation, which is especially beneficial for users overseeing multiple sites and makes it easier to track and manage system notifications to ensure seamless operations across all sites.

Other notable changes

We’ve renamed all mentions of 2N Mobile Key to the My2N App in line with our recent switch.

2N Access Commander 3.2 will also include support for encrypted device backups – i.e. password-protected backups of device configuration. This is in line with a recent 2N OS update and will make device backups more secure.

Lastly, APIv2 has been removed from this version in favour of the more powerful APIv3 which was added last year. We announced the removal of APIv2 back in May 2023 and you can find more details here.