Introduction
This FAQ document provides a practical overview of the Grandstream GDS Manager 2 software, covering its core features, configuration options, and daily operational usage. It is designed to help administrators efficiently manage GDS372X (with future support for GDS373X) access control systems, users, monitoring, alarms, and more via a centralized platform. The following Q&A addresses the most common tasks and scenarios encountered by users when installing and maintaining GDS Manager 2.
Overview and Installation
GDS Manager 2 serves as the companion management client application for next-generation GDS access control devices such as the GDS372X (with future support for GDS373X), providing comprehensive management and unified control capabilities. It offers device, user, and group management, along with core functions including real-time monitoring, preview, and alarm event querying.
It currently supports the GDS3725/26/27 models, with future support for the GDS373X series.
The GDS Manager 2 software is compatible with 64-bit Windows 10 and later versions.
You can download it directly from the official designated webpage for the GDS Manager 2 software (Download GDSManager2 Software v1.1.16). Please select the corresponding installation package based on your operating system version and follow the prompts to complete the download and installation.
After successfully downloading and installing the GDS Manager 2 client, simply double-click the software icon on your desktop or in the installation directory to launch it. Upon first run, you will need to set an application access password and select a local storage path; once configured, the software is ready for normal use.
Currently, there is no upper limit on the number of GDS devices that can be added to the GDS Manager 2 client.
No. The GDS Manager 2 client requires neither registration nor login. After installation, you only need to configure an access password and a storage path to use it immediately.
Password recovery is not currently supported.
No. Modifying the storage path only applies to data generated subsequently; the system will not automatically migrate historical data from the old path to the new path.
Device Management
GDS Manager 2 supports searching for devices within the same LAN subnet as the computer currently running the software.
On the [Device Management] page, click “Add Device.” The system will automatically trigger the LAN device search function. Administrators can quickly detect and add GDS devices within the same LAN without manually entering IP addresses.
Yes. Go to the [Device Management] page, click “Manually Add Device,” and accurately enter the necessary information, such as the device name, IP address, port number, and MAC address, to complete the device addition.
First, check whether “Manager Mode” is enabled on the device. If this mode is not enabled, GDS Manager 2 will be unable to manage the device.
Yes. You can delete a single device or remove all configured devices at once in [Device Management]. For offline devices, a forced deletion operation can be performed. Please note that if you need to re-bind a device, you must first perform a factory reset.
Currently, devices cannot be added in the following scenarios:
- If a forced deletion was performed while the device was offline, the device must first be restored to factory settings to clear its original configuration before it can be re-added to GDS Manager 2.
- If the device is already managed by another GDS Manager 2 client application.
In [Device Management], click “Associated User List” to associate specific users or user groups with a designated device. Please note that GDS372X model devices support associating up to 5,000 users.
You can synchronize and push information to the device using the following two methods:
- User Association Synchronization: In the [Device Management] module, enter the Associated User List, add or delete users, then click “Sync Information” to push the selected user information to the specified device.
- Batch Information Synchronization: In the [Device List], click “Sync Information,” select the content to synchronize to the device (such as users, schedules, etc.), set the synchronization policy, and click Confirm to execute the push operation.
In the [Device List], click “Sync Information,” specify the information to retrieve from the device in the pop-up options, and click Confirm to synchronize the device data to GDS Manager 2.
User Management
The system supports three methods for adding users: manual addition, batch import, and card swiping via a USB card reader.
When selecting “Import Users” in [User Management], please ensure you first download the import template that exactly matches your current organization type from the import interface. Strictly fill in user information according to the template format before uploading; otherwise, data validation will fail.
This function allows continuous swiping of RFID cards via a USB card reader to quickly register multiple cards, facilitating rapid card entry.
First, configure access rules in the [Access Schedule] module. Then, when adding or editing a user, assign the corresponding access schedule and bind specific access control devices. Once configured, the user can access the designated devices within the specified time periods.
In the [User Management] module, click “Associate Devices” to link specific devices or device groups to a designated individual user.
No, it will not be deleted automatically. After deleting a user on the platform, you must manually enter the [Device Management] module, click “Sync Information,” check “User Information” as the sync content, and execute the sync operation. Only then will the user be formally deleted on the device side.
Access Groups
By adding multiple users to the same user group, administrators can instantly associate all users within that group with designated devices.
Device Groups are used to categorize multiple devices by region or department. Administrators can directly assign an entire device group to a specific user or user group, enabling rapid allocation of access permissions for multiple devices without needing to add them one by one.
Real-time Monitoring
GDS Manager 2 features alarm linkage. When a GDS device triggers a specific alarm event, the border of the corresponding device’s video surveillance feed immediately highlights in a distinct color to indicate the specific alarm type, allowing for quick identification and localization of anomalies.
A comprehensive range of events supports alarm linkage, including: Loitering/Intrusion Alarm, Duress Code Alarm, Tamper Alarm, Unauthorized Access Alarm, SD Card Exception Alarm, Remote Door Open Code Error Alarm, Secure Room Alarm, Door Hold Open Timeout Alarm, High Temperature Alarm, Multiple Keypad Entry Error Alarm, and Access Outside Schedule Alarm.
The Real-time Video function allows users to view live video streams from connected GDS372x devices directly within the GDS Manager 2 software interface, enabling real-time situational awareness without switching to other monitoring software.
Yes. After successfully adding devices, you can enter the [Real-time Video] module to view live video streams from multiple GDS372X devices simultaneously, achieving centralized multi-screen monitoring.
During live video preview, users can enable/disable audio and switch video streams. Please note that remote door opening operations are not currently supported directly from this interface.
You can locate the “Data Storage Path” menu within the software’s [Settings] module to customize the storage location for application data based on your specific requirements.
Alarm Events, Operation Logs, and Settings
Alarm event records generated on the device within the last 90 days can be viewed.
Operation logs primarily record key user actions on the GDS Manager 2 platform, such as adding devices, adding users, and executing information synchronization, to facilitate traceability.
When enabled, the system automatically encrypts card data when entering information for encryption-supported IC cards via a USB card reader. If the access control device does not have the “Compatible with Non-encrypted IC Cards” option enabled, bound non-encrypted IC cards will not function properly for swiping to open doors.
This function is used to centrally manage device firmware upgrades. You can first upload the device firmware package to the system, and then select the devices to be upgraded in the “Device List” to execute the firmware upgrade operation.