Re: AlarmNet reliability how can it go down with no notice?

[Roger W <allucan8@xxxxxxx>]

On Feb 3, 9:46=A0pm, Jerry <je...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Feb 2, 8:50=A0pm, Nomen Nescio <nob...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
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>
> > >I made an assumption that my radio sent some kind of watch dog signal
> > >to the central station every 10 minutes so they can make sure the
> > >network is functioning. This is not the case, apparently. My call
> > >center stays completely unaware whenAlarmNethas any failure. This
> > >has me very worried. I can no longer depend on the network at all.
>
> > >Can anyone explain howAlarmNetworks? There is no explination on
> > >their website. The alarm companies don't seem to want to share with me
> > >any technical details about howAlarmNetworks. My position is that
> > >the proper thing to do is to have each node on the network send a
> > >short packet of data like [STX]station ID,Ready[ETX] every 10 minutes.
> > >The load on the network would be minimal. We're talking less than 100
> > >bytes of data multiplied by 50K or so radio sets: less than 50 megs of
> > >data in 10 minutes. That works out to a loafing 10Kpbs throughput. The
> > >call center would then know in ten minutes that my radio was no longer
> > >communicating with the call center. The call center could then take
> > >steps to find out why and notify me that something is wrong with my
> > >system. Therefore, even though radio networks are not 100% reliable,
> > >at least I can be 100% confidant that when my alarm system is armed, I
> > >will know quickly when or if there is a problem.
>
> > First of all, there are different types ofAlarmnetservice. =A0You probab=
ly
> > haveAlarmnet-C orAlarmnet-GSM service; more on these in a moment. There
> > is alsoAlarmnet-M service, which can be programmed to detect a loss of
> > radio communication within six minutes, and which you will pay dearly fo=
r.
> > And, in some large cities, there isAlarmnet-A service. =A0Alarmnet-I is =
an
> > Internet reporting system, not a radio system, that can also detect a lo=
ss
> > of communication within minutes.
>
> > Alarmnethad a problem: =A0it wanted to sell radio alarm service nationwi=
de,
> > without having to build and maintain its own nationwide radio network. =
=A0The
> > solution was to use the control channels of the cellular telephone netwo=
rk,
> > which of course they have to pay for. =A0This gives a big radio network =
at
> > little cost, one that is maintained by someone else. =A0Through an
> > arrangement with the cellular companies, alarm signals are sent back toA=
larmnetin New York, which then sends them on to the appropriate central
> > station by various means.
>
> > TheseAlarmnet-C and -GSM radios are designed to be reasonably affordable=
,
> > and to impose a minimum amount of overhead on the cellular providers'
> > networks. =A0The monthly fee also reflects the low network traffic. =A0A=
larmnet
> > is supposed to be releasing a version of the GSM radios soon that will d=
o
> > frequent polling, however I expectAlarmnet'smonthly fee for that service=

> > will probably be more than you are paying for your monitoring today. =A0=
 Your
> > central station will also charge a higher monthly fee for having to deal=

> > with the occasional temporary loss of radio communications -- often just=

> > long enough to be annoying, and perhaps, to call you.
>
> > TheAlarmnet-C service is based on analog cell technology, which will be
> > going away soon. =A0The =A0GSM radios are whatAlarmnetis promoting most
> > heavily at the moment.
>
> > Alarmnetalready offers a combination Internet communicator and GSM radio=

> > called the 7845-iGSM. =A0This does not provide the five minute supervisi=
on of
> > the true Internet communicators, but it does provide alarm reporting by
> > Internet, GSM radio, and SMS radio if the other two fail. =A0It's someth=
ing
> > to discuss with your alarm service provider, as it's more secure than wh=
at
> > you have now.
>
> > - badenov- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Thank you for your insight. My dealer didn't do a good job of
> explaining how AlarmNet worked and some of the problems with it. I can
> see that I need a backup. However, POTS is not going to work for me.
> 1) Verizon removed my copper when they installed my FIOS. 2) $20/mo
> for POTS just for the Alarm seems excessive especially when the last
> break I had, the burglar cut my FIOS (thinking it was the phone line).
> I think TCP/IP will have to do.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

You can hardwire your alarm control to FIOS and back it up with
Alarmnet. Talk to your dealer.