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Verkada Access Offline Operation
Verkada Access Offline Operation

Learn what happens to an access controller's functionality during an internet outage

Updated over a week ago

When a Verkada access control or intercom has internet connectivity issues, the flow of operation occurs:

  1. All access control events are first stored locally on the access controller (AC41, AC42, AC62, or intercom).

  2. Then sent to the cloud once an internet connection is restored.

  3. Once the cloud acknowledges receipt, the access controller cycles old events off of the device and replaces them with new events.

When the internet goes offline

If the access controller loses internet connectivity, here's what typically occurs:

  1. The events are stored locally until the internet is restored. Even if the internet is down for an extended period of time, the access controller has enough internal storage to endure substantial outages (3–12 months, depending on the number of events recorded).

  2. The access controller runs the last known configuration that it received from the cloud. In short, any changes made to the access controller prior to the internet outage are still active. This last known configuration persists, even if the controller loses power and is rebooted.

  3. Once internet connectivity is restored, the latest configuration in the cloud is pushed to the access controller, and in turn, the access controller sends the events that occurred during the outage to the cloud.

Determine the internet connectivity

You can detect when your access controller cannot connect to the internet from either the:

  • Door'ss page

  • Device's specific status page

Example scenario

To better understand the offline operation of the access controller, consider the following scenario:

  • Alice is a full-time employee and has been with the company for 2 years. Her badge works on the front door.

  • At 8:00 am: The Internet Service Provider (ISP) has a service outage in the area. All of the access controllers are offline, but powered on (status LED flashing blue).

  • At 9:00 am: Bob, a new hire, is onboarded. He is given a badge and access to the front door.

  • At 10:00 am: Alice and Bob try to badge into the front door. Alice's badge works, but Bob's badge does not.

  • At 11:00 am: The ISP restores its connection. The access controllers are back online, and within seconds they pull the new configuration from the cloud. Bob's badge now works.

A visual representation of this scenario is below:

AC41 offline operation visualized

Need more help? Contact Verkada Support

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