Alarm System Integration

[pete]

Here I utilize Quatech serial servers:

http://www.quatech.com/catalog/serial_device_servers.php

They make a number of products.

I also utilize Digi Edgeports and Digi USB anywhere devices.

http://www.digi.com/products/usb/edgeport

and Lantronix

http://www.lantronix.com/

Today the main automation server has some 20 plus serial connections (direct and indirect) and some 5-10 USB connections.

It is talking to X10, Insteon, Z-Wave and UPB devices.  The alarm is autonomous to the automation server and currently is connected via a serial link. 

[Automate]

@eldaria The drivers are only to make a virtual com port.  Any OS and program that can make a TCP socket connection can use Ethernet to serial converters.  The ones Pete posted work the same basic way.

[pete]

Another concern you have to address relates to having a console to the panel (whatever you utilize) that will work should their be no network (wired or wireless) or power.   An optional POE connection to the Almond + would be nice.

The introduction of using your home network or the cloud as a means for a console for your alarm panel doesn't fix the issues should you have a power failure or network failure in your home.

I keep a wired serial keypad connected that will run via a subpanel just for the consoles which also connects serially (wired) and is on batteries.

[eldaria]

@Automate
I have no experince with network connected serial ports, but it would be handy since you could then connect from any device in the home, Almond+ or a Computer.
It does introduce a security risk though.
I would access it either from Mac or Linux,  suppose I will have to order one and test, it is certainly more versatile than only using Zigbee.

@pete
I have a UPS that makes sure my stuff is powered for about 3 hours should the power go out, the alarm has it's own battery backup, and is also connected over GSM. I plan to try and use the Almond+ to have a 3G/4G fallback in case the normal internet connection goes down.

Although the Almond+ probably is going to be in a different place in the house than the rest of the equipment, so will see how I solve the backup power for it, depending on how much current the Almond+ draws, it could be enough with a small battery pack to keep it running for a while should there be a power outage.

POE is an option as I could the utilize the existing UPS for backup power, it would also remove the need to be close to a poweroutlet when placing the Panel.
I'm kind of happy I got the Devloper edition as I will have two units, I would not want to run all Ethernet cables downstairs where I plan to have the panel.

[pete]

Here playing some....

I have a UPS that makes sure my stuff is powered for about 3 hours should the power go out, the alarm has it's own battery backup, and is also connected over GSM. I plan to try and use the Almond+ to have a 3G/4G fallback in case the normal internet connection goes down.

The Openframe telco / energy tablet has a GSM SIM socket, Bluetooth, Wireless N and Gb NIC.  Intel atom based well ahead of its time.  (and DECT and Zigbee).  I am currently using POE to power these.  It appears to be an oversized mobile platform Intel based chipset.

Also playing a bit with the Ericcson W.25 and the Nexus Hawk (old stuff).  The Nexus Hawk has two failover network GSM connections.

[pete]

I opened up a customer service request for Linux Ubuntu 12.X drivers for the Quatech serial server a few days back.  It appears that the last updated set of drivers was from Ubuntu 8.X.  That said I tried doing the make install thing with the older drivers and it didn't work.

I got a response today asking if I would pay for the updates of the drivers for Ubuntu 12.X.  I thought i was an odd response.

The other choice is just to do a USB / serial  TCP tunneling thing.

[Automate]

@eldaria,  If you are really concerned about security you can go with a model that encrypts the data but I would say this is overkill.

[scriptx]

To add a few options on what could be automated with alarm system integration:

1. Turn down thermostats when the alarm is armed away, turn off any lights that are on.
2. Automatically disarm alarm when door is unlocked via a valid pass code entered on a Z-Wave lock.

My vote would go to the DSC Powerseries and ELK. I have had both in the past and currently have a DSC.

[liquix]

As some others have said, the Ademco Vista panel is popular. I would like to see an interface using the popular AD2USB adapter which provides an easy interface with the alarm panel. This adapter is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/NuTech-Software-Solutions-AD2USB-Adapter/dp/B0042BZ3U0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[Pestus]

Presumably something like this would be needed? http://www.dsc.com/index.php?n=products&o=view&id=139
I'm sorry, but personally I don't have a lot of experience with these things. However, it seems like the only way we could interface with an alarm system would be via IP.
What kind of support are you looking for on the Almond+ side?

Actually this isn't quite correct.  What you need is an aftermarket cousin of the TL150.  It's called the Envisalink.  This is a home automation geek's dream module, as it has compatibility with DSC and Honeywell alarm systems.  It also has easy published APIs.

http://www.eyezon.com/?page_id=176
http://forum.eyez-on.com/FORUM/download/file.php?id=49&sid=d270307cf0594274d49f3a6cda69ae3a
http://forum.eyez-on.com/FORUM/download/file.php?id=80&sid=d270307cf0594274d49f3a6cda69ae3a

Alternatively, the only integration ability usually offered by alarm systems is RS232.  This can easily be down converted to USB.
http://www.dsc.com/index.php?n=products&o=view&id=22

I'm a security technician who has been installing Micasaverde systems as an adjunct to a security panel.  This has multiple advantages, including much superior sensors, ability to interface with a proper monitoring company if desired, and superior security than offered in the HA market.  I've sold and installed quite a few DSC - Envisalink - VeraLite - UPS combinations, and it's an absolutely stellar mix.  This allows armed states on the alarm to interact with locks, thermostats, lights, and garage door openers.  I've extended it to the audio visual world as well.

My point..  at the point of begging...  is for another affordable system to choose between where the developers understand that they can have more markets than simply the end user.  Integrators and professionals need far more support.  We stand to be the absolute best sales force companies like yourselves could ever have.  We have the know-how on how to install all the Z-Wave and Zigbee products, can handle support on your behalf, and in many cases would order your products in bulk.

There are alternative HA systems where one can rig all of this together reliably, but none so affordable as the Vera platform.  The Almond+ would be even superior to this as well, as it offers a physical interface and the dual band WirelessAC.

Thanks for your time, and good luck with your fine product!

[LGNilsson]

Hi Pestus,

Right, that makes sense, I've seen that one before (you found the other thread about it as well) and we'll see what we can do.
If there's support for OpenWRT, it should be fairly trivial to add it.

[Pestus]

Lars,

Thank you!  Your encouraging words offer me hope!

[poshul]

I've looked into how connecting the the ELK would work with the M1 XEP ethernet interface. ELK provides a detailed description of the serial protocol that the M1 uses (an older version can be found here: http://www.getacoder.com/data/projects/118354/ELK-M1_RS232_PROTOCOL.pdf ) and you can download the latest after making an account on elkproducts.com . The ethernet interface provides an interface with the same vocabulary over port 2101. There is a perl module to communicate with the XEP available on sourceforge (http://sourceforge.net/projects/elkm1control/) and integrating that into the Almond+ doesn't look like too much of a challenge. I plan on working on it as soon as I get my Almond+  .

[eldaria]

Hmm I found this one in a search on Google.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Serial-TTL-RS232-to-802-11-b-g-n-Converter-Embedded-WiFi-Module-CE-FCC-e/281205805036

Would be handy to skip the Ethernet Cable when connecting to the Alarm.
What do you guys think?

[Automate]

It does not have a standard rs-232 port.  It uses TTL (5 volt) interface so you would need a TTL to rs-232 converter also.

This one looks interesting. http://www.ebay.com/itm/281201815190?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Can use wired Ethernet or wireless WiFi