Alarm Monitoring FAQ

How can I connect my alarm system to your Monitoring Center ?

The vast majority of subscribers use the Internet for sending alarm signals, however, you can also connect over landline or cellular networks. The use of Linksys devices is by far the most popular, but we also support DSC T-Link, AlarmNet-i, UHS and Napco NetLink over IP. We support AlarmNet GSM, DSC Connect24 (GSM), TelGuard and UpLink cellular solutions.

Do you install alarm systems ?

No. However, we have a small dealer network of companies who can professionally install alarm systems that are compatible with our alarm montoring service. Check with us to find out if we have one in your area.

Do your dealers send out a technician to upgrade my alarm system ?

Our Linksys IP Alarm Monitoring Solution is "Plug & Play" and the upgrade can be handled by the vast majority of DIY'ers - usually without a requirement to re-program your alarm panel. That said, our nationwide dealer network is available to you as an additional service at any time. Please read the Installation & Provisioning Guide to help you determine if you will need any on-site assistance. Remember, you always have access to our expert technical support staff via email, I.M. or telephone if you need any help in getting connected.

Do I need a telephone line or VoIP service ?

No voice service is required. All you need is a cable, DSL or cellular broadband Internet connection.

I have an unlocked Linksys ATA with VoIP service. Can I use line 2 for alarm monitoring ?

Yes. You will need to move your VoIP settings into line 2 and then you can provision the device to use our alarm monitoring service on line 1 - leaving your VoIP settings on line 2 intact.

I have a Linksys VoIP router. Can I use one of the voice ports for alarm monitoring ?

Yes. Our provisioning server and monitoring service supports the use of any Linksys VoIP enabled device.

Does your alarm monitoring service support the use of VoIP services like Vonage or MagicJack ?

You should understand that although transmitting alarm signals over a VoIP network will work some of the time, it will not work all of the time - regardless of what others may tell you. Things get even worse with MagicJack, as a computer becomes yet another possible point of failure between your alarm panel and the Monitoring Center. All of that said, you are welcome to use any means you see fit to send alarm signals to our Monitoring Center on the understanding that this is done at your risk.

Your Linksys solution uses VoIP adapters - do they suffer the same problems associated with VoIP ?

No. We have developed custom software that allows the device to work in a completely different way and without any of the issues associated with VoIP. The reason we chose to use the Linksys hardware was because it has been proven as reliable with over 10 million devices sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. No other device in the security industry can offer that kind of robustness.

Will the Linksys device continue to work if there is a loss of power?

For IP-only models like the PAP2T, you will be responsible for providing some form of backup power supply in order for it to work during power failure. The SPA3102 has a backup port which will automatically be used if the device loses power. The backup port requires either a PSTN (POTS) landline or a cellular device with dialer capture facility connected to it. The WRP400 and AG310 models operate on 12vDC so they can be powered from your alarm panel and take advantage of the battery backup in case of power failure.

My alarm panel is on the opposite side of the house to my router. Is there any way to connect to it wirelessly ?

Yes - provided you have a wireless router. The Linksys WBP54G wireless-G bridge is an ideal device for this purpose as it shares the same power supply as your Linksys adapter.

Do I need an alarm permit ?

The requirement for alarm permits and licenses differs from state to state. Please contact your local police department to find out for sure.

If I sign up for your automated monitoring service, can you provide a certificate for my insurance company ?

We can provide you with a certificate that states your alarm system is monitored by our automated platform. This may or may not be acceptable to your insurance company. If you are in a state with a mandatory insurance discount program (the state specifies that discounts must be given), the insurance company may have additional requirements for the certificate to meet state rules. There is sometimes a requirement for your system to be installed by a licensed alarm company or inspected by a license holder and there may be a provision for certain types of coverage and minimum protection levels. It is always best to ask your agent exactly what is required.

Do you charge extra for arm/disarm and auto test signals ?

There is no additional charge for logging any type of signal into the Virtual Monitoring Platform, however, there is an extra charge if you want anything other than emergency signals monitored by our operators.

Can you monitor my alarm system at work?

Yes. All alarm systems work in the same way and the type of premises does not affect the level of service or cost of monitoring.

Does it matter how far I am located from the monitoring companys command center ?

Alarm signals are transmitted via the Internet, so the location of your home or business has no bearing on the monitoring centers ability to receive signals from you.

Do you charge me for false alarms ?

No. We provide you with a service and will continue to do so regardless of how many alarms (genuine or false) your system generates. There may be a charge for false alarms from your police department.

Which Alarm Panels are Supported ?

If your alarm panel is currently connected to an Alarm Monitoring Center, then the likelyhood is that it will also work with our service. We recommend the use of the Contact ID protocol, however, we are able to support any other standard alarm format.

I have a very old alarm panel that uses pulse dialing - can you support it ?

Yes. Our Linksys solution supports any alarm protocol and allows us to receive signals over the Internet from almost any make and model of alarm panel - regardless of its age.

I have a DSC Alexor. Can you monitor it over the Internet ?

Yes. We can monitor the on-board IP communicator. The basic Alexor has a regular PSTN dialer which can be used instead if there is no built-in IP communicator. Connect the dialer to one of our Linksys devices and the panel can send signals to our monitoring facility over the Internet.

I have a Vista 21ip. Can you monitor it over the Internet ?

Yes. We can monitor it through the AlarmNet-i service. Your Vista 21ip also has a PSTN dialer which can be used instead of the IP communicator if required. Simply connect the dialer to a Linksys device and the 21ip can transmit signals to our monitoring center over the Internet. The same applies for all other Vista models.

Do you provide a Virtual Keypad for me to remotely arm & disarm my panel ?

Yes - we have a universal Virtual Keypad that works with certain models of alarm panel. See this page for more information on our Virtual Keypad.

I have an ADT Alarm System - will it work with your service ?

Yes. Some of the very old ADT panels may not work with our service, but the majority will. Please check with us to find out if we support your exact model. If we do not support the panel, you can still use our Linksys "IPtoPOTS" solution yet remain with ADT for your monitoring service. Visit our web site at voip-alarm.com for more info.

I have a Brinks Alarm System - will it work with your service ?

Brinks is one of the very few alarm panels that uses a proprietary protocol and cannot communicate with any Central Station other than Broadview/Brinks. If you are considering moving to VoIP, you can use our Linksys "IPtoPOTS" solution to upgrade your system and make it communicate with the Broadview Monitoring Center over the Internet. Visit our web site at voip-alarm.com for more info.