Best Alarm System to tie into Vera

I know that I can access the alarm via RS232, but what has others done out there that has worked the best? We currently use mostly Honeywell Vista line of panel which have RS-232. Is the code already out there for this? Or what is the best where I can access everything connected into the alarm flawlessly?

With the Vista Line you can also get the ICM and tie it into Vera via ethernet. There have been plugins written for the DSC and Paradox panels. I think if I remember correctly, MCV is doing one for the Honeywell systems.

I have a Honeywell Vista with the ethernet ICM. It works well enough via a web page UI. It has two web interfaces. One that looks nice but sadly requires an activeX plugin (won work in firefox even with IE Tab) . The other is a basic “pda” page that is slow to react, but will work on phones and firefox.

I could not find any API info online. I know they just released a Vizia ICM. Not sure if it’s vizia z-wave specfic, if it has to be the master controller, or any other details. What I do know is it’s expensive > $300 and there is an iPhone app.

Let me know if you uncover anything, I would like tighter integration via LUA in the future.

I’d love to know where the DSC Alarm panel plug-in is, I have it all ready to go on my system, but there are no controls for it in UI2. am I missing somthing? (I’m using the IT-100 card in a DSC 832 alarm panel) When I upgraded to the latest UI3 version there was an Arm and Disarm (Stay) which doesnt work for me as I have motion sensors around the house. I’d prefer it in UI2 as this is the latest stable system. Does anyone have more to this plug-in to share? :wink:

ditto on the DSC…would love more info on that!

Me too, I have a PC4020 system in my new house and would love to connect this. I installed the plugin but I obviously need to get a serial port connection…any ideas would be great

Don’t get too excited about the DSC, just yet at least…

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=1962.msg12111#msg12111

I used the DSC IT-100 Card ($52 @ ASIHOME) it works as another alarm interface pad although I didn’t see It on the compatibility list working on a 4020, you would have to call DSC for this. I used a Cables Unlimited USB-2920 for the Serial connection ($14 @ Tiger Direct). This was a cheap way to get it connected and works except for the interface that really doesn’t exist. I don’t understand why the DSC plug-in link would have been put in the vera if it didn’t work? Again I must be missing something, MCV was there ever any interface to this or just promoted vapor ware? You mentioned that there was a Lua developer working on this and that it was thrown together in 20 minutes can you guys work for another 20 minutes and add the arm (stay) function? 8) This would implement the motion Zones.

I don’t understand why the DSC plug-in link would have been put in the vera if it didn’t work?

MCV indicated it was a Quick Demo for CES earlier this yr. Not uncommon to show the potential during this type of show.

Writing a real one takes a LOT of time, experimentation, and true “ownership” (living with) the Alarm system. It’s not a task that should be under-estimated in scope/scale.

Adding “stay” probably isn’t rocket science, since it already has “arm”, but writing a complete driver with full support really does take a lot of time. Personally I’d rather they write it fully, and stably, than release something “too soon” since that’ll only cause more heart-ache.

So the best you can do with Vera and an alarm system now is arm and disarm it? Plus, you have to have the right alarm system?

Vera needs a custom Luup Plugin for each Alarm system that’s to be connected to it. The DSC Plugin was just a demo, so it has limited capabilities.

If you want to see more of what can be done with an Alarm interface for Vera, look at:

http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Paradox_Alarm_Plugin

since it has more rounded functionality, as it’s been in development a lot longer. It’s specifically made for the Paradox Security Systems Digiplex/EVO/Spectra line of Alarm panels.

Others are supposed to be under development for other panels as well.

Can anyone help me with the setup of the Honeywell 21IP panel to communicate with software? I activated it in the setup but get an error on one of my keypads so it must not be configured properly. Or does the software assist in the setup process? Do you use “Vista Navigator” to control your panel? I found “Total Connect” but I believe that’s a pay service.

FYI there is an alternative to the Vista ICM…

Check it out AD2USB - http://www.nutech.com/nu-tech-hardware.html

It appears you need a computer turned on for this to work. Right now, the only way I see ICM to work with Iphone is via Honeywell’s subscribed service. It seems the security business is built around monitoring services.

The best alarm system to hook up with Vera is definitely PowerMaxPro! So if anyone could spend some time developing the software drivers I would even pay for it ;D

What do you like about the PowerMaxPro?

Did a little looking around the GE Control 4 Wireless System looks pretty good from the specs. They have a GE ITI SuperBus 2000 RS-232 Automation Module that allows control and monitoring via rs-232 and they have publicly published protocol documentation. Anyone have an experience with this product?

http://www.homesecuritystore.com/p-175-80-860-4-concord-4-wireless-alarm-kit.aspx
RS232 protocol documentation(Free Registration Required): http://www.gesecurity.com/portal/GESDownload?ID=394&DID=394&documenttype=Installation%20Instructions

The best thing about it is that I own one ;D

I see you have the PowerLink module as well. I did a bit of searching, but it doesn’t look there they publish an API to it. Do you know of any published API to the PowerMaxPro panel or compatible module?

No I don’t know of any published API. I assumed that one could use their free serial interface driven software and sniff their protocol on that interface. That way vera could drive it via the serial and thus one would not require the powerlink module. Just a thought.