[WXC/VFX] Monitored Alarm and VFX

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isis

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#21265 21-Apr-2008 12:58

Hi there,

I know now that swapping over completely to VOIP nulls the connection to ADT call centre.
Can we still have a phone line as well as VFX?
I've already got one of those all in one Linksys WAG routers...

my monitored alarm is costing me more money now - just having a phone line to keep it going...:(

Opinions help would be appreciated.

PS im already on the River plan...

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#125295 21-Apr-2008 13:18

Monitored alarms will work over VFX but there are lots of buts..

There are several different alarm protocols with ContactID being one of the most common for smaller alarm panels. ContactID sends a sequence of DTMF tones and works fine using VFX and I know the guys at WxC have spent time working with AlarmNZ to to ensure this works properly.

Some other alarm panels have a modem in them which establishes a connection to the monitoring company. One of the panels will not work over VoIP.

Depending on the type of panel you have you can also look at IP based monitoring but the issue here is that most monitoring companies are so far behind technology wise they can't support it. I know AlarmNZ do and charge the same price as regular monitoring.

Micron make an IP adapter that can be integrated into any alarm panel and this just plugs straight into your router. Ovbiously if you are going to head down this track you need to ensure you have a reliable router and UPS, preferably in a reasonably secure location.

isis

49 posts

Geek

#125309 21-Apr-2008 14:03

ADT has been super so far and will stick to them, in the hope that there might be something done in the future...
So VFX is out of the question i presume?

maverick

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#125312 21-Apr-2008 14:22

Put your alarm on the incoming line (DSL side), not the VFX line

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

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kerrin

165 posts

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#125348 21-Apr-2008 15:47

I monitor my own alarm using a "Versatile SMS Device" from http://www.itodevelopments.co.nz/. Was around $150 from memory including the phone.

It's a little black box which connects up via a serial connector to a Nokia GSM phone to send SMS alerts out to multiple numbers when one of the 4 inputs change. Connects simply to any alarm. Mine is powered by the alarm's 12v internal battery for added security.

Works great for me.

coffeebaron

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#125360 21-Apr-2008 16:28

Here's a thought. Phone ADT and say you are dropping your land-line, and that they will need to upgrade your alarm to be monitored via your broadband connection instead. See what kind of response you get, ya never know they could have a product to do this. Even if they don't, if people don't phone and ask, then how do they know people need such a service?

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isis

49 posts

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#125361 21-Apr-2008 16:31

Now that's a bloody good idea - but i know what the resposne is going to be.
It's hard enough for telecom/ihug to rehook my phone line - i have been without a line for a week now since putting a stop to Fusion....:(

coffeebaron

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#125392 21-Apr-2008 18:47

isis: Can we still have a phone line as well as VFX?
I've already got one of those all in one Linksys WAG routers...

Not sure if anyone answered this, but yes you can have VFX & a landline. VFX would just be like having a second line, only much cheaper & smarter :)

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sbiddle

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#125450 21-Apr-2008 22:28

Do you want to get rid of your Telecom phoneline and just use VoIP over a Naked ADSL connection or do you want to keep the phoneline and use VFX as a 2nd line?

If you want to keep the phoneline then you'll need to get the alarm rewired so that it has an ADSL filter on it. If it doesn't it will cause interference and the ADSL will drop out everytime the alarm tries to call out.

If you want to get rid of your phoneline and just use VFX then the alarm may work - it just depends on the protocol the alarm uses as I discussed above.

isis

49 posts

Geek

#125480 22-Apr-2008 08:28

i want to you VFX as a second line - which means i have to buy another phone to plug directly into the router. my alarm has a filter on it already.
this the way to go?

Shash

157 posts

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#125989 23-Apr-2008 21:52

I do have a ADT monitored alarm and VFX no problems here.

maverick

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#126013 24-Apr-2008 06:01

Shash: I do have a ADT monitored alarm and VFX no problems here.

Hi Shash,

Thanks for that we do see some alarms having no issues what soever but generally we see more that do, alarms are the the most tricky part of a IP network, generally because they use a whole lot of different standards and monitioring devices, but a lot of the the issues actually comes down to the very slow speeds some run at and proprity signalling, basically IP networks can be to fast for them and can't operate at low speeds.

So what we are saying is that IP alarms are the recommended options as modem based services MAY not work.

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications

isis

49 posts

Geek

#126034 24-Apr-2008 08:25

Shash: I do have a ADT monitored alarm and VFX no problems here.

Hi Shash,

That means you still have a phone line and a seperate line for VFX?

sbiddle

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#126050 24-Apr-2008 09:40

I'm still a little confused about what you are trying to achieve.

Do you want to get rid of your Telecom homeline completely and switch to a Naked ADSL product, use VFX's VoIP service for your phone service and run your alarm through VFX?

Or do you want to keep your Telecom line, run your alarm on this, and then use VFX as a 2nd line?

Alarms can work over VFX but it it just depends on the type of panel you have (ContactID or modem) and your network configuration. Obviously to run your alarm over VFX you are going to have to rewire your alarm wiring since it will typically be set up as a line grabber connecting to the phone cabling before the first jackpoint.

IP is the future for alarm monitoring and if companies aren't enabling IP support for their monitoring they are going to start losing customers very quickly in the future!

Shash

157 posts

Master Geek

#126178 24-Apr-2008 16:44

isis:
Shash: I do have a ADT monitored alarm and VFX no problems here.

Hi Shash,

That means you still have a phone line and a seperate line for VFX?

The line I'm referring to has

- Telecom Line with Telecom Phone number
- VFX. Using SPA3102 with 2nd Phone number from WXC
- I also have Telecom Broadband Pro on this line
- ADT Monitored Alarm

You do not need a separate line for VFX, all you need is a AT device (Lynksys SPA2102 or SPA3102) where you can connect your standard analogue phone, and of course a VFX account from WXC. It’s like having two numbers for your home phone. VFX also need a Broadband on your Telecom line.

The key thing here to have central ADSL filter installed correctly, like Maverick pointed out Alarm should be hooked up before the filter. Get someone to do this it’s worth the investment in long run. If you are all confused Have a look at this – see the quick install guide

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1146582254856&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

ALARMNZ

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#128953 6-May-2008 21:41

You can now purchase a device called "alarmserver" ($99-199+) thru WorldXchange thats converts your Analog Alarm signal to IP however you may need to change your Alarm monitoring service provider if its not Alarm New Zealand already. (no extra cost)http://www.alarmnz.com/PRODUCTS/Broadband/ALARMserver/ALARMserver.htm

Hope this helps :-)

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