What Is the Fanvil Access Control System?

Fanvil's access control lineup is a family of IP-based door phones, intercoms, and indoor stations that replace traditional key-and-buzzer entry with smart, network-connected access management. Think of it as giving your front door the same intelligence as your office phone system: every entry attempt is visible, every credential is managed from a web browser, and every visitor conversation is handled in HD audio or video – all over your existing network.

The system is built on SIP (the same protocol used by Hosted PBX phones), which means it connects naturally to your cloud phone platform and integrates with the same directory and call-routing rules your team already uses.

How It Works 

At its simplest, the Fanvil access control system has three parts working together:

Outdoor door phone (or intercom): Mounted at an entrance, this device handles visitor identification. It can capture video, verify a PIN code, read an access card, or scan a fingerprint, depending on the model.

Indoor station or desk phone: Staff inside the building see (or hear) the visitor and decide whether to grant entry. With a single button press, they can remotely release the electronic door lock.

Cloud or on-premises management:  All devices are configured, monitored, and updated via your Hosted PBX provider. Access rules, credentials, and firmware are managed across a single site or hundreds of sites without site visits.

The outdoor and indoor devices communicate over your IP network using SIP and ONVIF (the open standard for network cameras). This means Fanvil equipment works alongside the security cameras, alarm systems, and phone systems you may already have in place.

Key Features

Product Lineup at a Glance

Fanvil organizes its access control hardware into three main families. Here is a quick reference to help match the right device to the right location.

Common Use Cases

• Office lobbies: A visitor presses the doorbell. Staff at reception see and speak with them on their desk phone or indoor station, then unlock the door with a single button press. No receptionist? Route the call to a hunt group so any available staff member can respond.
• Multi-tenant residential buildings: Residents receive access cards or Bluetooth mobile keys. Visitors call individual apartments through the door phone's speed-dial directory. Building managers update tenant credentials from the web portal without visiting the site.
• Warehouses and loading docks: IP66-rated outdoor units withstand dust, rain, and temperature extremes from -40°C to 70°C. Drivers can call the loading supervisor directly from the gate, and the supervisor unlocks the barrier from any SIP device on the network.

Integration with Your Hosted PBX System

Because Fanvil door phones use SIP, the same technology that powers Hosted PBX services, they register as extensions on your cloud phone platform just like any other phone. This unlocks several practical benefits:

• Ring groups: A call from the front door can ring an entire team simultaneously.
• Time-based routing: After hours, visitor calls forward to a mobile or an auto-attendant message.
• Remote unlock: Staff working from home can still answer a door call and grant access.
• Call recording: If recording is enabled on your phone platform, door conversations are captured like any other call for audit or compliance purposes.
• Unified directory: Staff extensions are already available to the door phone, so no separate programming is needed.

Getting Started – Quick Setup Steps

The steps below apply to a typical initial deployment of a Fanvil door phone. Your network or phone system administrator can assist with steps 3 and 4.

1. Mount and connect the door phone. Run a single PoE network cable from your switch to the door phone location. PoE supplies both power and network connectivity. Confirm the device powers on and the indicator light is active.
2. Find the device's IP address. Press and hold the # key on the door phone for 3 seconds. The device will announce its IP address by voice.
3. Register on your SIP platform. Log in to the door phone's web interface using the IP address. Enter your Hosted PBX SIP account credentials (server address, extension number, and password) in the SIP settings. Save and reboot.
4. Configure access methods. In the device's web interface under Access Settings, add the PIN codes, access card IDs, or configure Bluetooth credentials appropriate for your site.
5. Test the entry flow. Call from the door phone to an indoor station or desk phone, confirm audio and video quality, then test each access method (card, PIN, etc.) to verify the door lock output operates correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a dedicated server to run the access control system?

No. Fanvil door phones connect directly to your existing IP network and Hosted PBX system. A SIP server (such as a Hosted PBX platform) provides the calling features, but door access (PIN, card, biometric) operates independently of the phone system.

What happens if the network goes down?

Physical access methods: PIN codes and access cards stored on the device continue to work even when the network is unavailable. The intercom call and remote unlock features require network connectivity. Consider a cellular backup or UPS for mission-critical entrances.

Can the door phone work with our existing security cameras?

Yes. Fanvil door phones support ONVIF, the open standard used by most IP security cameras. This allows video from the door phone to be viewed in many existing video management software (VMS) platforms alongside your other cameras.

How many access credentials can be stored on a device?

Capacity varies by model. Most units in the i6X and i3X series support thousands of stored card IDs and PIN codes locally. Check the datasheet for the specific model to confirm storage limits if you have a large user base.

Is the system compatible with our Hosted PBX service?

Fanvil door phones support standard SIP and are compatible with virtually all SIP-based phone platforms, including Hosted PBX and Cloud PBX services. Your phone system administrator will need to create an extension for the door phone and provide the SIP registration details.

What access methods does the i68 support that others do not?

The i68 is Fanvil's most advanced outdoor terminal and adds facial recognition with liveness detection and QR code scanning to the standard options (PIN, RFID card, Bluetooth). It also features an 8-inch HD color touchscreen for a more guided visitor experience.