Crestron® Virtual Control (VC-4) is a server‑based control platform for enterprise applications that can be used in place of hardware‑based Crestron control systems. The platform runs programs to control multiple rooms over the network from a single, centralized location. Cloud‑based monitoring is also available using the XiO Cloud® service. Crestron Virtual Control also provides native support for .AV Framework™ software, which is a web‑based management solution that is used to deploy scalable Crestron enterprise room solutions without requiring any programming.

NOTE: When running in a virtualized environment, Crestron Virtual Control can leverage the hypervisor's fault tolerance and high-availability features. If Crestron Virtual Control is installed on a bare-metal server (such as a standalone computer), it cannot leverage these features. If these features are desired, Crestron Virtual Control software must be installed in an existing virtualized environment that supports them.

Crestron Virtual Control can be integrated with a variety of devices, including audio, video, lighting, motorized shades, thermostats, door locks, sensors, and security systems. Connected devices can be controlled directly via Ethernet, and those that require a serial, IR, or other hardware interface can be integrated via decentralized control ports on a DM NVX® encoder/decoder, DM® transmitter or receiver, CEN‑CI3-1-POE interface, or the CEN-IO wired and wireless series of I/O modules. Cresnet® network devices can be integrated via a DIN‑CENCN‑2-POE bridge, and wireless Crestron devices can also be integrated via an infiNET EX® wireless gateway. Native support for the BACnet communication protocol provides a direct interface to third‑party building management systems over Ethernet, simplifying integration with HVAC, security, and other systems.¹

Crestron Virtual Control supports server redundancy for increased reliability. For large buildings, Crestron Virtual Control streamlines deployment and maintenance by allowing a single program to be deployed across multiple rooms. Support for C#, SIMPL, and SIMPL#Pro programming languages gives programmers design flexibility and enables programs to be shared with hardware-based control systems.² Crestron Virtual control also employs enterprise-grade security to ensure maximum reliability and privacy.

Crestron Virtual Control is sold through Authorized Crestron Dealers, and requires installation on a customer‑supplied server running a supported Linux® server operating system.

Licensing
The Crestron Virtual Control licensing model is similar to a traditional hardware purchase model: purchase a specified number of room licenses (VC‑4‑ROOM), and the Crestron Virtual Control installation will run the number of rooms purchased. Each room license also includes one software mobility license (SW‑MOBILITY) that enables functionality for various Crestron software solutions.

The VC-4 server provides two licensing options: online licensing via the XiO Cloud® service, or offline licensing via the USB‑OFFLINE dongle.

• For online licensing via the XiO Cloud service, the VC-4 server requires access to XiO Cloud to validate its licenses. An active XiO Cloud account is required, subject to the terms of the Crestron Cloudware License.³ However, a paid XiO Cloud subscription is not required to manage licenses for the VC-4 server. An XiO Cloud account is not required to run the VC-4 server during its 90‑day trial period. Use the XiO Cloud account registration form to associate VC-4-ROOM licenses with an XiO Cloud account.
• For offline licensing via the USB‑OFFLINE dongle, the dongle must be connected to the VC‑4 server to validate its licenses. All room licenses must be ordered and the offline licensing form must be completed prior to validating licenses via the USB‑OFFLINE dongle. For more information, refer to the Crestron Virtual Control Product Manual.
• Any existing Crestron Virtual Control licenses within the XiO Cloud service cannot be converted to offline licenses. If switching your Crestron Virtual Control installation from online to offline licensing mode, new room and/or BACnet licenses must be purchased.
• Online and Offline licenses cannot be mixed on the same VC-4 machine.