OmniPro ii port issue

Hi All
Looks like this is the site to come to for OmniPro troubleshooting. Our home was built in 2004 and has an OmniPro 2 system for security (currently no home automation, but may add that...).  I never realized I could access it from outside the home (aside from calling), so I'm trying to set it up to connect via app, etc.  I have a decent amount of home network experience (hobby, not profession) but cannot for the life of me figure out how to connect.  I have a home server so I'm used to port forwarding, etc, but I cannot get the port on the omnipro to open. I've tried changing the IP and the port, rebooted the router many times, rechecked for typo,  and still is closed. Port forwarding is working for my many other projects, so it doesn't seem to be the router / firewall.
 
The omnipro shows up on my router as a connected (wired) device and I can ping it. But when I check if the port is open, no luck. 
 
The firmware on the board has never been updated (so circa 2004) -- could that be the problem?  If so, how do I upgrade it?
 
 
And as a slightly related question, is it really even worth it if all I want to do is be able to arm / disarm from my phone?  Sounds like many of the apps are not that great, and the ones that are have monthly fees, etc.  Would also be nice to get notifications if alarm goes off, kids come home, etc.  Not even sure if that's possible. 
 
thanks in advance. 

Hello and welcome here.
 
First, if I were you, I would upgrade the firmware. Do you know what version you have?  If your Omni is really old, then you upgrade by replacing two ROM chips. Pretty easy. The hard part is finding them for sale.  I would call Worthington. Web link here: http://www.worthingtondistribution.com/info/contact.php
If anyone could point you in the right direction, it's them.  It will cost about $50.
 
So on the connecting outside the house, the first question is, can you connect from INSIDE the house?  There are a few phone apps.  I use Leviton Snaplink which works fine.  
 
If you have mastered those two things, there are only two more. Port forwarding, which it sounds like you have done. I would stick to port 4369. It's standard.  What router do you have? Some are simplier than others.
 
Finally, you have to point your IP address in your app. to your home.  You may NOT have a fixed IP address at your home, so it may change from time to time.  Do you have cable Internet, DSL, fiber, or wireless? If this is true, you need to setup dynamic DNS so you can reliably find it.
 
Finally, once connected, you can do ALOT. To get the most out of it, get the add-on email board. Then you can get email messages if something happens.  Email may be enough for you, but to do that you do need to upgrade your firmware. 

Thanks for the reply
1) What's the easiest way to find my firmware version? It has never been upgraded, so it's at least as old as 2004. 
 
2) What firmware version would be the minimum to connect to the unit remotely and/or support email?
 
3) I cannot connect inside or outside my LAN.  I'm using the free (trial) version of myro:home for Leviton.HAI.  I don't want to spend money if this is not going to work.  I've tried using the private IP address that I assigned the omnipro while connected to my internet and my public address while on LTE.  Nothing.  However, if I ping it from a windows CMD prompt, i get a reply, so it's there.....
 
4) As just some quick background, I've configured a home Linux server hosting a variety of things (plex, nextcloud, etc) -- the easiest part of those configurations was the port forwarding, so I feel that I understand that part of it pretty well.  I have both a fixed IP and DDNS for what it's worth. 
 
From a basic troubleshooting standpoint, I get the sense that the port appears closed because the omnipro isn't listening for some reason (? maybe firmware).  But then I would wonder why I could set the IP address, port, etc from the control panel if it wasn't supported by the firmware.  
 
If it helps any, there are two LEDs next to the ethernet plug. One is a solid red, the other is blinking red.  If I unplug the cable, the lights turn off.  Is red the correct color? 
 
Anyway, thanks in advance for any additional help. 

moinwest said:

Thanks for the reply
1) What's the easiest way to find my firmware version? It has never been upgraded, so it's at least as old as 2004.

Click to expand...

Press 9, enter your code, press 6 on the console.
 
2) What firmware version would be the minimum to connect to the unit remotely and/or support email?
 
I have no idea, but  myro:home requires 3.5+. Do you have that?  If not, then don't bother trying it. I doubt you will able to do much with modern software if you don't have modern firmware. Try running MS Office on a PC with Windows 3.0 and see how that goes.