How to set up a Dahua AirShield alarm in DoLynk Care

Applies to: Dahua AirShield Alarm Hub (DHI-ARC3000H series) and Alarm Hub 2 (DHI-ARC3800H series), set up with the DoLynk Care app or web client and the DMSS end-user app. Screens differ between app versions and hub firmware.

Quick answer: Installers set up and service Dahua AirShield alarms remotely in DoLynk Care, Dahua's installer platform on DoLynk Cloud. Register with an invitation code, create a site, add the hub by QR code, serial number or LAN search, then add the peripherals. Hand the system to the customer's DMSS account. After handover, you apply in DoLynk Care for time-limited permission, and the customer approves it in DMSS before you change settings. Dahua's AirShield hub manuals do not document a PC or USB programming tool.

DoLynk Care is the Dahua answer to remote servicing software for AirShield alarms. Dahua describes it as a cloud platform for installers and security service providers. It manages customer sites and devices and sends a push notification when a device fails. It runs as a mobile app and as a web client. Dahua's AirShield page says AirShield is powered by DoLynk Cloud, linking users, installers and service providers.

The customer uses a different app, DMSS. The DMSS admin user owns the system and grants or cancels the installer's permissions. This guide covers AirShield only. For DoLynk Cloud in general, including cameras and recorders, see our DoLynk Cloud and DoLynk Care overview.

Before you start

Check which hub you have. The Alarm Hub (DHI-ARC3000H) comes in our ARC3000H AirShield kit. Alarm Hub 2 (DHI-ARC3800H) comes in our ARC3800H AirShield kit.
Read the manual for your hub. Dahua's Alarm Hub manual has a full DoLynk Care chapter for installers. The Alarm Hub 2 manual covers the DMSS side, the installer role and installer approval in DoLynk Care. The steps below follow the Alarm Hub manual.
Know the limits. Both manuals list up to 150 wireless peripherals per hub. The Alarm Hub (ARC3000H) manual gives up to 32 areas. Check the Alarm Hub 2 manual or the app for its area limit. The manuals list 33 app users (31 general, 1 admin, 1 installer) plus up to 64 keypad users (32 added manually and 32 created automatically by DMSS).
Plan the connection. AirShield hubs are configured by app and updated from the cloud. The Alarm Hub has an RJ-45 Ethernet port, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and, on cellular models, GSM/LTE. No USB, serial or PC programming software is documented in the hub manuals.
Have a phone with Wi-Fi turned on. For LAN search, the phone must be on the same network as the hub.
Get an invitation code. Dahua's manual says it is obtained from the reseller or sales representative. Ask your Dahua sales representative for one; Zenith does not issue software licences.
Have the QR code labels for the hub and every peripheral to hand.
Agree the handover with the customer. They will need DMSS from the App Store or Google Play.

Step 1: Get a DoLynk Care account

Search "DoLynk Care" in the App Store or Google Play and install it. You can also use the web client at care.dolynksecurity.com.
Register. Enter your company name, country and address, the Invitation Code, your email and a password.
Enter the verification code sent to your email.
Wait for approval. Dahua says this takes 1 to 3 days for new customers. Some affiliated customers skip it.
Complete company authentication. Dahua says you need it to provide device health maintenance services to end users.

Step 2: Create a site and add the hub

Power the hub and connect it to the network: by Ethernet for a wired add, or set up Wi-Fi during the add.
Log in to DoLynk Care and create a Site with the customer's address and contact details.
Choose Add Device. You can work in Site mode or Device mode.
Scan the hub's QR code or enter its serial number. Choose wired, or Wi-Fi. For Wi-Fi, keep your phone's Wi-Fi on and enter the Wi-Fi password.
Or use LAN Searching with your phone on the same network as the hub.
If the hub has not been initialised, set a device password when prompted.

Step 3: Add peripherals and configure the hub

Scan the QR code on each peripheral, for example the ARK30T wireless keypad, the ARD1731 PIR camera or the ARM320 input expander.
Name each peripheral and assign it to an area.
In the hub settings, set the time zone and daylight saving, check the network information, run cloud updates and view or email the logs.
For repeat jobs, Dahua says DoLynk Care can batch-add devices, configure settings, back up data and import system parameters, and export alarm settings to copy to another system.

Step 4: Hand the system over in DMSS

Dahua offers three handover modes: Lend, Deliver and Entrust.

Lend: enter the customer's email. Turn on Reserve Configuration Permissions and select a retention time (Alarm Hub manual, section 4.3.1.1). The manual says that under EN50131 the DMSS admin user cannot configure a lent hub.
Deliver: transfers the device to the customer, up to 5 devices at a time. The manual says EN50131 requirements will not be met if you deliver the hub.
Entrust: the customer entrusts the hub to you from DMSS. Approve it under Pending Task > Entrusting Review. The manual says that under EN50131 the DMSS admin user cannot configure an entrusted hub.

Step 5: Service the system remotely

To change settings after handover, apply for permission in DoLynk Care and choose how many hours you need.
The customer approves the request in DMSS.
Make your changes. Re-apply when the permission expires.
Run Health Check on one device or in batches. Dahua says health reports can be emailed as a PDF.
If the customer later removes you, they cancel the entrust in DMSS and you approve it in DoLynk Care.

Good habits

Use Lend (or accept an Entrust) rather than Deliver where the site must stay EN50131-compliant.
Tell the customer before you request permission, so the DMSS prompt does not surprise them.
Back up the system before large changes.
Name peripherals and areas so the customer can read them in DMSS.
Run cloud updates with the system disarmed and the battery healthy.
Record which handover mode you used for each site.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely cause	What to try
Hub indicator is solid yellow	The hub failed to connect to the cloud	Check the Ethernet or Wi-Fi network and the router's internet connection.
Adding the hub or a peripheral fails	No power or network, or the phone's Wi-Fi is off	Check power and network, turn on the phone's Wi-Fi, then repeat the steps.
Cloud update will not start	The hub is armed or the battery is low	Disarm the system, check the battery and try again.
Cannot run Health Check or deliver a device	The device is offline, or it is entrusted	Bring the device back online. Entrusted devices cannot be delivered.
Lend fails	The hub is already added to another account	Make sure no other account has added the hub.
Deliver fails	The customer uses an Imou account	Ask the customer to update their account in DMSS.
Prompt to apply for permission	Your time-limited permission has expired or was never granted	Apply for permission in DoLynk Care and ask the DMSS admin user to approve it in DMSS.
New account will not work	Approval is still pending	Allow 1 to 3 days for approval.
A feature is missing	The app or hub firmware is too old	Update both. For example, the Alarm Hub manual says adding an IP camera to the hub in DMSS needs DMSS 1.99.500 or later and hub firmware V1.001.0000006.0.R.230714 or later.

Questions

What software do installers use to program a Dahua AirShield alarm remotely?

DoLynk Care, Dahua's installer platform on DoLynk Cloud. It runs as a mobile app and a web client. Dahua's manuals document app configuration and cloud updates for AirShield hubs, not a PC or USB programming tool.

What is the difference between DoLynk Care and DMSS?

DMSS is the end-user app. The customer uses it to arm and disarm, get push alerts and video clips, share access and grant or cancel installer permissions. DoLynk Care is for installers. It adds multi-site management, batch adding and configuration, data backup, system parameter import, and batch health checks with fault notifications.

How do I get a DoLynk Care account?

Register in the app or at care.dolynksecurity.com. You need an invitation code, which Dahua's manual says comes from the reseller or sales representative. Ask your Dahua sales representative for one; Zenith does not issue software licences. Dahua says approval for new customers takes 1 to 3 days.

Is DoLynk Care free?

The app is free to download from the App Store. Account terms and any device limits are set by Dahua, so check them when you register. Zenith does not issue software licences.

Can I change AirShield settings without the customer's permission?

Dahua's Alarm Hub manual says that after handover you apply in DoLynk Care for permission for a set number of hours, and the DMSS admin user approves it in DMSS. Re-apply when it expires. Dahua says the customer can cancel access at any time.

Which handover mode keeps the system EN50131-compliant?

Dahua's Alarm Hub manual says that under EN50131 the DMSS admin user cannot configure the hub when the installer lends it or when the customer entrusts it to the installer, and that EN50131 requirements will not be met if you deliver the hub. Use Lend or Entrust, not Deliver. Check the manual for your hub and your own certification needs.

Why won't my AirShield hub update through the cloud?

Cloud update is blocked while the hub is armed or the battery is low. Disarm the system, check the battery and try again.

Can I copy AirShield settings to another hub?

Dahua says DoLynk Care can back up data and import system parameters, and that alarm settings can be exported and copied between alarm systems for new installs and replacements. Check the current app, as screens differ between versions.

Does Zenith Security Co. install AirShield alarms?

No. We supply Dahua AirShield kits and accessories from Wolverhampton and do not install them. If you want an engineer, we can recommend a local installer. Installers can apply for a trade account for trade pricing.

Related guides

See the Dahua Help hub, or visit Dahua's official DoLynk Care page.

Stuck setting up an AirShield hub? Call us on 01902 902251 or email sales@zenithsecurityco.co.uk. We supply Dahua AirShield kits, keypads and detectors from Wolverhampton and do not install. If you want an engineer, find an installer. Installers can apply for a trade account for trade pricing.