Elk Internet Monitoring with Cell Backup

[TXFlatLander]

my Uplink is connected to my Elk by serial, and gives full zone reporting, i.e., it tells me which zones were violated that caused the alarm, if that's what you mean.

It has been nearly nine months since I researched all this, but there was something about Telguard giving complete zone information where the Uplink Anynet did not. I could be completely wrong and my memory could be fooling me. I will have to look back in my bookmarks and see if I can find the exact difference again and the URL for it.

 

[WayneW]

my Uplink is connected to my Elk by serial, and gives full zone reporting, i.e., it tells me which zones were violated that caused the alarm, if that's what you mean.

It has been nearly nine months since I researched all this, but there was something about Telguard giving complete zone information where the Uplink Anynet did not. I could be completely wrong and my memory could be fooling me. I will have to look back in my bookmarks and see if I can find the exact difference again and the URL for it.

I think it totally depends upon how you have the UpLink connected. With the UpLink connect via XSP, full data is supported with CID. BUT, if you simply connect the hardwired Uplink inputs to the Elk alarm outputs, you would only get bare-bones notification that the alarm has sounded. Knowing that UpLink serial cables are very scarce, I suspect there are many, many customers that only have a bare-bones connection between their alarm panel and the UpLink, easily leading to the assumption that nothing better is supported. Even the Uplink manual barely mentions the serial port.

The Uplink unit also has two controllable relay outputs, which I intend to use as a way to signal the Elk via zone inputs when away from home. Probably to start a sequence that would reboot my cable modem and router in case they ever get locked up. Control of these Uplink relays are available via the Uplink web interface (along with RF signal strength readings and self test results) that are not available via NextAlarm. There is also a way to have the Uplink send up to 10-12 unique serial strings into the XSP. Currently the XSP firmware blocks these, but hopefully Elk has this enhancement on their to-do list. That would allow triggering of 10-12 tasks in the Elk via RF from any web browser in the world even when all traditional landlines and/or broadband connections to the home are dead.

 

[TXFlatLander]

Thanks for the clarified explanation, WayneW. My main computer is down right now at the house due to a bad power supply that has the majority of my bookmarks on it. I did a quick google search and this looks like where I read the original assumption of the difference. Wayne seems to have cleared it up though. That sucks that scarce serial cable required to hookup the Uplink to the XSP.

You would think a DIY-friendly monitoring company would buy a OH2000E to feed a hungry market. Maybe a CT poll would be in order for a little market data.