Internet Alarm Communicators
An internet alarm communicator is an add-on for a security system that is used for providing it with internet access. While many systems come with an internet communicator that is pre-installed, many older panels will need to have one added separately. This is where an internet alarm communicator comes in. By purchasing one separately and installing to your panel, you system will be able access the internet, just like a modern, new security panel.
Connecting to the internet is very important for many systems, as it will allow it to send fast outbound signals and interface with an interactive service like Alarm.com or Total Connect. While this can also be done with a cellular connection, not all monitoring plans include cellular connectivity. With this in mind, an internet alarm communicator can be a viable option for a user who doesn’t want to add cellular connectivity. Another option is to utilize both internet and cellular services with the panel to achieve a fast and reliable dual path communication setup.
In most cases, an internet alarm communicator is hardwired onto the circuit board of the security system. The communicator will have a port for an ethernet cable to be added. This will provide the panel with access to the internet so that the user can have their system take advantage of the full benefits that internet connectivity has to offer. If a user wants to connect wirelessly, they can use a WIFI adapter in the ethernet port. This will prevent them from having to run an ethernet cable from the router to the security system.
Users should keep in mind that by using an internet communicator, their alarm system will be dependent upon their internet service. If their service is ever down or unavailable, the alarm system will be unable to send important outbound signals in the event of an emergency. For that reason, it is very common to use internet connectivity in conjunction with cellular service, establishing a setup that is often referred to as dual path communication. However, the user will need to have a monitoring plan that includes cellular connectivity in order to do this.
Another factor to keep in mind is that most security systems that do not already have internet access will require a PROM chip upgrade in order to interface with an internet communicator. Some internet communicators will come with this upgrade so that the user will not need to worry about upgrading their panel on their own. However, if the internet communicator does not come with the necessary upgrade, the user will want to make sure that their system is capable of using the communicator before making their purchase. Our experts will be able to help you determine if your system does indeed require this type of upgrade.
When purchasing an internet alarm communicator, there are few things that you should make sure to look for. The most important is whether or not the communicator you choose is compatible with the security system that you own. You may also want to check to see if the device includes any other capabilities. For example, many internet alarm communicators also include a built-in cellular communicator in order to allow for dual path communication. This is an excellent way to instantly provide your security panel with both the quick speeds of internet connectivity and the reliability and peace of mind that is only offered by a cellular connection.