> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.inels.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.inels.com/inels-harmony/administration/before-you-start.md).

# Before you start

What to collect before you touch Harmony — and roughly how long the job takes.

Configuring a hotel goes quickly when the information is already on the desk, and painfully slowly when you have to go and find each piece. Collect this first.

{% hint style="info" %}
**This page assumes Harmony is already installed** and you can open `http://<your-server>:81` in a browser. If it is not, start with [Installing Harmony on a server](/inels-harmony/getting-started/installing-harmony-on-a-server.md) and come back here afterwards.
{% endhint %}

## The hotel itself

* [ ] The hotel's **display name**, as guests should see it
* [ ] **Check-in and check-out times** — for example 14:00 and 11:00
* [ ] A **list of floors** with the level number of each
* [ ] A **list of rooms**: number, floor, room type, and how many people it sleeps
* [ ] Any **common areas** guests reach with a card — entrance, garage, spa, lift

{% hint style="success" %}
**Put the room list in a spreadsheet before you begin.** Columns: number, floor, type, capacity, gateway IP. You will use it three separate times during setup, and it doubles as the handover document.
{% endhint %}

## Network and hardware

* [ ] The **IP address of the Harmony server**, and confirmation it is fixed rather than DHCP
* [ ] The **IP address and port of every gateway** — BUS units, eLAN units, and any REST devices
* [ ] **Login details** for any gateway that is password-protected
* [ ] Confirmation the server and the gateways **can reach each other**. Test with a ping before you start, not after.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Fixed addresses are not optional.** Gateways and electronic locks are identified by IP address. If one gets a new address from DHCP, Harmony silently loses it. Reserve the addresses on the router, or set them statically.
{% endhint %}

## People

* [ ] Names and email addresses for everyone who needs an account, and the [role](/inels-harmony/getting-started/who-does-what.md) each should have
* [ ] Who will be the **hotel's own administrator** after you hand over
* [ ] Which computers reception uses, if you plan to restrict access by IP

## Licence

* [ ] Your **Harmony licence key** (`HRM-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX`), if this property needs more than five gateways

A fresh install runs on a five-gateway trial with no time limit, so you can start configuring before a licence arrives. See [Installing Harmony](/inels-harmony/getting-started/installing-harmony-on-a-server.md) for how to request one.

## Optional, if this hotel uses them

| If the hotel has…                            | Collect                                                                        |
| -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| A property management system                 | API endpoint, credentials, and the hotel or property identifier                |
| Online sales via Booking.com or Airbnb       | Channex API key and property ID, plus the room types and rates to publish      |
| Electronic door locks (DNAKE or Salto Space) | Lock IP addresses and web logins, or the Salto PMS host, port and encoder name |
| Guest emails sent by Harmony                 | SMTP host, port, username, password and the "from" address                     |

## How long it takes

For a 30–50 room hotel with the information ready:

| Stage                                  | Typical time                         |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Hotel details, staff accounts, licence | 15 minutes                           |
| Gateways and devices                   | 1–3 hours, depending on the hardware |
| Floors and rooms                       | 30–60 minutes                        |
| Zones, readers and automations         | 1–2 hours                            |
| Email, integrations and testing        | 1 hour upwards                       |

{% hint style="info" %}
**Two people are much faster than one.** One person walks the building doing gateways and devices; the other does hotel details, users, licence and rooms at a desk. Join up again at zones and readers.
{% endhint %}