The controller and power architecture determine how securely and reliably each opening operates—even when the server or network is unavailable.
Controller families
| Family | Role | Typical planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Net2 Plus | Networked single-door control for Net2 systems | Modular expansion with controller, enclosure and power options selected per opening or group of openings. |
| Paxton10 single-door controller | Door control for the Paxton10 platform | Used where web-managed Paxton10 access, credentials and event workflows are required. |
| Switch2 | Standalone controller architecture | For limited standalone applications where centralized network management is not the goal. |
| Paxton10 connectors | Alarm, input, output, I/O and wireless interfaces | Adds supervised event exchange, auxiliary control or PaxLock wireless connectivity according to the current product specification. |
A complete panel schedule includes more than a controller
- Controller model and supported platform/software version
- Listed enclosure, power supply and standby battery calculation
- Lock power separated or coordinated as required
- Reader, door contact and request-to-exit inputs
- Fire-alarm release and life-safety sequence
- Network switch port, VLAN, addressing and surge protection
- Cable type, pathway, grounding and labeling
- Expansion capacity and service clearances
- Offline behavior and recovery procedure
- Commissioning tests documented per opening
Why one-door architecture can be useful
Placing intelligence close to the opening can simplify expansion and fault isolation, but it also means power, network, enclosure placement and physical security must be designed repeatedly and consistently. Controller cabinets belong on the secure side of the door and should not be placed where a reader cable or relay can be easily reached from the public side.
Manufacturer references
Product capabilities and compatibility were checked against Paxton’s official U.S. materials. Specifications, availability and software support can change; Boston High Tech confirms the current design before procurement.
Explore the Paxton product family
Plan a Paxton system around your doors—not a generic parts list
Boston High Tech surveys the openings, network, power, life-safety interfaces, credential population and operating workflow before finalizing equipment. We serve projects from our Charlotte headquarters and local client offices serving Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. Visits are by appointment so the appropriate specialist is available.
How to compare and specify this product family
For Paxton Controllers, Panels and Connectors, the right model and architecture depend on the site, existing infrastructure and operating policy. A proposal should clearly document the following access-control system decisions before equipment is ordered:
- Number and type of controlled openings
- Controller, reader, lock and credential compatibility
- Cloud or on-premise administration and ownership
- Offline behavior, backup power and emergency operation
- Directory, HR, video, visitor and elevator integrations
- Licensing, cybersecurity, training and lifecycle support
Installation, testing and handoff
A site survey records each opening, door hardware, cable path, power, network, credential policy and integration requirement. The design then maps readers, controllers, locks, inputs, outputs and administrator roles to the operational workflow. Commissioning includes door-by-door functional tests, failure-mode and backup-power checks, permission and schedule tests, event verification, administrator training and as-built documentation. Product availability, subscriptions and supported integrations are confirmed for the current project before procurement.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about selecting Paxton controllers, panel components and connectors for a specific set of openings.
What is the difference between Net2 Plus and Switch2?
Net2 Plus is networked single-door control for Net2 systems, so doors are managed centrally and expanded with controller, enclosure and power options chosen per opening or group of openings. Switch2 is a standalone controller architecture meant for limited standalone applications where centralized network management is not the goal. The choice follows how the site will be administered day to day.
What do the Paxton10 connectors add to a door controller?
The Paxton10 connectors are the alarm, input, output, I/O and wireless interfaces in the range. As a group they add supervised event exchange, auxiliary control or PaxLock wireless connectivity according to the current product specification. Which one belongs on a given panel is settled after the alarm points, auxiliary outputs and wireless openings at that location are counted.
Where does the controller enclosure mount if the intelligence sits at the door?
On the secure side of the opening. A Paxton10 single-door controller and its cabinet should not sit where a reader cable or a relay can be reached from the public side, so placement is drawn opening by opening instead of assumed. The panel schedule also records service clearances and expansion capacity, which keeps the box workable for the technician who opens it later.
Can lock power come from the same supply as the controller?
Sometimes, and the standby battery calculation for that panel settles it along with the lock type. The schedule records whether lock power is separated or coordinated with controller power, which listed enclosure and power supply are used, and how long the battery has to carry the load. Fire-alarm release wiring is drawn on the same schedule.
What happens at these doors when the server or network is unavailable?
It depends on the controller family at each door and on the offline behavior and recovery procedure written into the panel schedule, since the controller and power architecture, not the head-end, decide how an opening operates then. Commissioning includes failure-mode and backup-power checks door by door, so the recorded behavior is proven rather than assumed.
Can the controllers share the building’s existing data network?
They can, once your IT group approves the addressing and segmentation. The proposal records the network switch port, VLAN, addressing and surge protection for each controller location, along with cable type, pathway, grounding and labeling. Surge protection carries the most weight where a run leaves the building, so that detail is settled before rough-in rather than at cutover.
Paxton owner, administrator and buyer resources
Discuss Paxton installation, upgrade or service
Detailed guides are maintained by 360TechnologyGroup.com, the parent-company knowledge center.
Official Paxton software, firmware and support
Official manufacturer resources. We link out rather than host firmware.
Before updating: confirm model, hardware revision, current version, entitlement and rollback plan, and schedule monitored or life-safety-adjacent systems with the administrator.