Access Control System

An access control system comprising:

• a data communications network;
• a first access device coupled to the network;
• a network switching device configured for operation on the data communications network with one or more access devices, the network switching device including:
• at least one processor configured to operate in accordance with firmware instructions;
• a first memory configured to store the firmware instructions;
• a second memory configured to store access information;
• the firmware instructions configured to cause the network switching device to, in response to a communication containing an access request including at least user identification information received from a first access device:
• make a comparison of the user identification information from the access request with access information stored in the second memory;
• make an access decision based on the comparison;
• and
• transmit the access decision to at least the first access device over the network.

A method for controlling access to a facility, the method comprising:

• providing a data communications network associated with the facility;
• providing a first access device coupled to the network;
• providing a network switching device configured for operation on the network with one or more access devices, the network switching device including:
• at least one processor configured to operate in accordance with firmware instructions;
• a first memory configured to store the firmware instructions;
• a second memory configured to store access information;
• receiving at the network switching device a communication containing an access request including at least user identification information received from the first access device;
• making a comparison of the user identification information from the access request with access information stored in the second memory;
• making an access decision based on the comparison;
• and
• transmitting the access decision to at least the first access device over the network.

A method comprising:

• at a network switching device,
• examining a packet stored in a first memory of the device,
• responsive to the examining, determining whether the packet is an access request packet containing an access request,
• responsive to determining that the packet is an access request packet, using identification information from the packet to access information stored in a second memory of the device and determining if the access request is allowable, and
• responsive to determining that the access request is allowable, transmitting a packet indicating that the access request is allowed to at least a lock actuator.