Elk M1EZ8

[Steve]

Not sure if that would work. First, the XEP would have to be configured for DHCP rather than a static address, then the XEP would have to see the primary router drop and automagically reconnect via DHCP to your neighbors router which will be a different SSID. Of course even if this works it depends on you getting good signal from your neighbor and their permission for you to access their stuff. I always use MAC address filtering on any wireless connection just in case. Nobody gets in to my router wirelessly unless they have my laptop. I think the only sure backup for a cut telephone line is cellular backup in a secure indoor location.

Of course it may be overkill, but you could send a heartbeat email every so often to insure the line is still up.

 

[Chakara]

If it's agreed with the neighbor, your using the same SSID and just WEP for security (same key at both) it would probably just work.

 

[elcano]

First, the XEP would have to be configured for DHCP rather than a static address, then the XEP would have to see the primary router drop and automagically reconnect via DHCP to your neighbors router which will be a different SSID.

No, the IP connection from the XEP to its wireless gateway would remain alive an with the same address. It is the connection from the wireless bridge to the access point that would have to change the SSID that it is connected to.

Also, let me correct my previous post. You would not be using an Access Point but a Wireless Ethernet Bridge. See more about them here:

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1563991

And here are D-Link and Netgear models:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=241
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGE101.php

It would also possible to use a Windows XP PC with an Ethernet and a Wireless Card to serve as the brige. I'm sure that this option would work because you can always specify access points in order of preference. Will need to check if the encryption can be stored for each profile, but it is also possible to register the MAC address of the device in my home with my neighbors's access point if MAC address authentication is desired. I can register the same IP in both APs if required. However I would not like to depend on a PC. The stand-alone devices are preferable.

Chakara - I'm not sure that we can have the same SSID - devices would be confused between both networks.

Signal is no problem, since I get it very strong here. Permission is no problem neither.

The cell phone alternative makes sense (i read about it before) but, I don't know how to connect a regular line to a cell phone. Are there adapters for regular phones, or I have to buy a special phone?

 

[Steve]

You're probably right about the wireless. Let us know if it works. Never done cellular either but I think u need uplink transceivers, etc. Not cheap and need special equip. You can look here for starters.

 

[markthomas]

Followup to one of my earlier questions:

The TCP/IP protocol is their serial protocol, just over the IP port.

 

[Mike]

First, the XEP would have to be configured for DHCP rather than a static address, then the XEP would have to see the primary router drop and automagically reconnect via DHCP to your neighbors router which will be a different SSID.

No, the IP connection from the XEP to its wireless gateway would remain alive an with the same address. It is the connection from the wireless bridge to the access point that would have to change the SSID that it is connected to.

Also, let me correct my previous post. You would not be using an Access Point but a Wireless Ethernet Bridge. See more about them here:

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/1563991

And here are D-Link and Netgear models:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=241
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGE101.php

It would also possible to use a Windows XP PC with an Ethernet and a Wireless Card to serve as the brige. I'm sure that this option would work because you can always specify access points in order of preference. Will need to check if the encryption can be stored for each profile, but it is also possible to register the MAC address of the device in my home with my neighbors's access point if MAC address authentication is desired. I can register the same IP in both APs if required. However I would not like to depend on a PC. The stand-alone devices are preferable.

Chakara - I'm not sure that we can have the same SSID - devices would be confused between both networks.

Signal is no problem, since I get it very strong here. Permission is no problem neither.

The cell phone alternative makes sense (i read about it before) but, I don't know how to connect a regular line to a cell phone. Are there adapters for regular phones, or I have to buy a special phone?

In regards to using an actual cell phone, there is a product (cant find it or remember the name atm) that is similar to the one below:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/RCA-Cell-Do...roductDetail.do

It lets you plug in your cell phone and it uses the cell phone as a second line at home. It uses an adapter to connect with your phone model. If I remember it was around $130 or so.

I'll see if I can find the company, I was real interested at the time but had a land line and ip line so didn't have much need for another line. Now that I went IP only, I might consider it again.

Regardless though, the cellular uplink accessories seem to be what is recommended in that regard. The equipment was a couple hundred if I remember, and it added another $8-$12/month in monitoring fees if I remember correctly. Cheaper than buying a cell phone to attach to your alarm system (and probably a hell of a lot more reliable).

 

[Steve]

Mike - I believe you are talking about the Dock N Talk.

 

[Mike]

Right you are! I forgot the name. The blue tooth connectivity is nice, but my current phone doesnt have that.

 

[Steve]

I've actually had my eye on this one to replace my Siemens 4200 series.