This FAQ document provides a practical overview of the Grandstream GDS Manager software, covering its core features, configuration options, and daily operational use. It is designed to help administrators efficiently manage GDS37xx door systems, users, access control, monitoring, reporting, and attendance functions from a centralized platform. The questions and answers below address the most common tasks and scenarios users encounter when deploying and maintaining GDS Manager.
Overview, Architecture & Installation
GDS Manager is a centralized management software designed for Grandstream GDS37xx series door systems. It allows administrators to manage RFID cards, users, access schedules, door activity logs, real-time video monitoring, and attendance records from a single platform.
GDS Manager supports the GDS37xx series, including models such as GDS3702, GDS3705, GDS3710, GDS3712, and the newer GDS372x series (GDS3725, GDS3726, GDS3727).
GDS Manager uses a client–server architecture, where the GDS Server handles device communication and data storage, while the GDS Manager client provides the user interface for configuration and monitoring.
Yes. The server and client can run on the same system or on separate machines over a network, depending on deployment needs and system resources.
The GDS Server supports Windows operating systems including Windows 2003/2008 Server, Windows XP SP2/SP3, and Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit).
The server requires at least an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, 320GB storage (depending on recording needs), a discrete graphics card, and a 1000Mbps network adapter.
Client systems require Windows XP through Windows 8, a Core 2 Duo processor or higher, at least 2GB RAM, 120GB storage, and a minimum 100Mbps network adapter (1Gbps recommended).
A UPS is recommended to prevent database corruption or loss of video records in case of a power outage, ensuring system reliability and data integrity.
GDS Manager can be downloaded from the Grandstream Tools page on the official Grandstream website.
After installation, two components are installed: GDS Server, which handles backend services, and GDS Manager, which is the client interface used by administrators.
The GDS Server is started by double-clicking its desktop icon. Once running, it listens for client connections and appears in the system tray with configuration options available via right-click.
The Record Server starts an internal FTP service used to store pictures uploaded from GDS371x/GDS372x devices, such as snapshots triggered by events.
Yes. GDS Manager can connect to a GDS Server over both LAN and WAN by using either a private or public IP address or a domain name of the server.
GDS Manager requires a Windows-based environment and uses a client–server model.
For the GDS Server, a Windows 2003/2008 Server, Windows XP SP2/SP3, or Windows 7 system is required, with at least an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB RAM, sufficient storage (320GB recommended if video recording is used), a discrete graphics card, and a 1000Mbps network adapter.
For GDS Manager clients, supported systems include Windows XP through Windows 8, with a Core 2 Duo processor or higher, at least 2GB RAM, adequate storage (120GB recommended), and a minimum 100Mbps network adapter. A UPS is strongly recommended for the server to prevent data corruption during power outages.
No. GDS Manager is not a general camera management or VMS platform. It is designed exclusively to manage Grandstream GDS37xx video door systems. Even Grandstream IP cameras such as the GSC3610 are not supported in GDS Manager. Video monitoring, recording, and snapshots within GDS Manager are limited to GDS371x and GDS372x door devices only.
There is not a fixed maximum number of GDS37xx devices that can be added or monitored. The actual number of supported devices depends on the server’s hardware resources (CPU, RAM, storage), network capacity, and whether features such as real-time video streaming and video recording are enabled. Proper sizing of the GDS Server system is recommended for large deployments.
User Accounts, Groups & Member Management
The Administrator has full access to all GDS Manager features, including user creation, device configuration, access schedules, logs, reports, and attendance management. Only the administrator can manage system users and privileges.
Yes. The administrator can change the admin password from the Administrator menu to enhance system security and prevent unauthorized access.
Yes. The administrator can create multiple user accounts and assign different privileges, allowing controlled access to specific menus and functions within GDS Manager.
Groups are used to organize members based on roles or departments (for example, staff, visitors, or maintenance). Groups simplify access control by assigning schedules and permissions collectively.
GDS Manager supports up to 50 groups, including parent groups and sub-groups, allowing flexible user organization.
A Member represents an individual user who is granted access to the door system. Members can be assigned RFID cards, virtual numbers, PIN codes, schedules, and group memberships.
The Virtual Number allows users to dial a short number on the GDS keypad. Once entered and followed by the “#” key, the GDS system automatically calls the mapped SIP number.
The SIP Number is linked to a member’s virtual number. When the virtual number is dialed on the GDS device, the system sends a SIP INVITE to the configured SIP number.
RFID card numbers can be entered manually or read using a supported USB card reader. Once assigned, the RFID card allows the member to unlock doors based on their access schedule.
Batch Add Card allows administrators to register multiple RFID cards quickly by swiping them consecutively with a USB card reader, making large deployments faster and more efficient.
Yes. Each member can have a Start Date and End Date, ensuring that access automatically becomes active or expires without manual intervention.
A Private Door Password is a numeric PIN assigned to a specific member, allowing door access via keypad entry instead of RFID or SIP calls.
Yes. Member data can be exported to a CSV file for backup or bulk editing, and imported back into GDS Manager with an option to override existing records.
Members can be searched using multiple criteria, including name, group name, virtual number, card number, or person index, making large user databases easy to manage.
Device Management, Monitoring & Logs
GDS Manager can automatically discover GDS37xx devices on the local network using the Search function, allowing administrators to detect and add devices without manual IP entry.
Yes. Devices can be added manually by entering the device name, IP address or domain name, login credentials, and RTSP port through the Configuration menu.
Yes. Administrators can delete individual devices or remove all configured devices at once using the Delete or Delete All options in the device configuration menu.
Alarm Linkage allows GDS Manager to automatically pop up live video streams or record up to 60 seconds of video when specific alarm events are triggered on a GDS device.
Supported events include motion detection, tamper alarms, wrong PIN input, digital input (DI), hostage alarms, alarm testing, and non-scheduled access alarms.
The Card Info menu allows administrators to copy RFID card data from GDS devices to GDS Manager or delete card information directly from the GDS37xx devices.
Device Logs track events and actions occurring on GDS devices, while Administrator Logs record actions performed within GDS Manager itself, such as logins, user changes, and device modifications.
Device Logs include door access events, card and PIN usage, call logs, motion detection, alarms, firmware updates, reboots, resets, and unauthorized access attempts.
Yes. Logs can be filtered by device name, operation type, virtual number, time period, and other parameters to quickly locate specific events.
Yes. Both device logs and administrator logs can be exported for reporting, auditing, or archival purposes.
Realtime Video allows administrators to view live video streams from connected GDS371x/GDS372x devices directly within GDS Manager.
Users can start or stop streams, take snapshots, enable or disable audio, use two-way audio communication, select video streams, and remotely open doors.
Snapshot storage locations can be configured in the Preview Configure menu, allowing administrators to define where captured images are saved locally.
Yes. A message stating “Open Door Successfully” appears on the video preview screen after a successful remote door opening.
Yes. Once devices are added, multiple GDS37xx video streams can be listed and accessed through the Realtime Video menu.
The Keep Door Open feature allows doors to remain unlocked either immediately or according to a schedule, and can be configured and synchronized directly from GDS Manager.
No. Remote PIN values for Door 1 and Door 2 must be entered manually in GDS Manager and are not synchronized automatically with the GDS devices.
Yes. When alarm linkage is enabled, GDS Manager can automatically record short video clips when defined alarm events occur.
The GDS sub-menu displays all connected GDS devices that were added via the search function along with their corresponding video streams for monitoring purposes.
Yes. Unauthorized door opening attempts, including invalid PIN entries and unregistered cards (via keypad or Wiegand), are recorded in the device logs.
Reports, Attendance Management & Scheduling
The Report menu allows administrators to configure email reporting and generate automated or manual reports related to attendance, overtime, and access activity.
GDS Manager uses SMTP configuration to send reports. Administrators must define the SMTP server address, port, sender email, and test the configuration before enabling reports.
Supported report types include attendance summaries, overtime reports, and other attendance-related records that can be scheduled for daily, weekly, or monthly delivery.
The Report List defines the report name, recipient email, subject, message body, sending frequency, and report type to be generated automatically.
Attendance Management allows administrators to manage work schedules, clock-in/clock-out records, overtime, vacations, and attendance reports using GDS access events.
A Timeframe defines working hours and attendance rules, including allowed check-in times, office start and end times, late tolerance, and early leave rules.
Yes. Administrators can edit or delete existing timeframes at any time to reflect updated working policies.
A Work Shift is a recurring schedule that assigns specific timeframes to selected days, using either weekly or monthly cycles.
Work shifts are assigned through the Work Shift Assignment menu, where administrators select members, validity dates, and the corresponding shift configuration.
A Special Assignment grants temporary access outside normal schedules, such as for contractors or visitors, with defined start and end times.
The Vacation Catalog defines different vacation types, their units, and whether the vacation counts toward attendance calculations.
Administrators can apply vacations by selecting members, defining start and end dates, choosing a vacation type, and entering a reason for leave.
Yes. Vacation requests can be approved, rejected, revoked, deleted, exported, or emailed directly from the “Ask a Leave” menu
Overtime can be configured per user or time period, allowing administrators to track and manage additional working hours beyond normal schedules.
Clock In/Out Records display member names, group names, dates, and exact check-in and check-out times retrieved from GDS devices.
Yes. Attendance records and reports can be exported in CSV format for external analysis or payroll processing.
Makeup Check-In allows administrators to manually correct or add attendance records, including reason and approval status.
Available reports include attendance detail, attendance summary, late summary, and full attendance summary, all retrievable and exportable from the Attendance Report menu.