What is the CRC Code For?

All AlarmNet Communicators with a MAC Address or an AID also have a CRC code, which is generated based on that MAC or AID. The purpose of the CRC is to act as a verification code. It makes sure that the information entered is correct, with no typos. This way, accuracy is maintained.

The MAC Address is a unique identifier assigned to each AlarmNet communicator. Because every MAC address in the world is unique, the MAC is how the communicator is identified by the AlarmNet server. The MAC is associated with the AlarmNet account, and the AlarmNet account is tied to customer information (name, etc.) as well as a Total Connect 2.0 account, if enabled. The same AlarmNet account information is also tied to an account at a monitoring station, this account number is then tied to a name, address, list of zones, phone numbers and instructions. If the wrong MAC address is entered for an AlarmNet account during creation, it creates a domino effect of problems. No part of the account would work properly. This is where the CRC comes in.

When creating an account in AlarmNet360, the server and database where all accounts are created, the user must enter a MAC and a CRC. As stated above, the CRC is calculated based on the characters in the MAC. The numbers entered are verified, and if they are correct, the rest of the information for the account can be entered and the account can be created and registered. If these numbers are incorrect then an error will be displayed. The information will have to be double-checked, then entered correctly, in order to continue with account creation. The chances of making an error in the entry of the MAC, and a corresponding error in the CRC that would match the MAC is slim. This is how the CRC helps to maintain data integrity.

We mentioned AID numbers, along with MAC addresses. An AID is a unique identifier assigned to a daughter device that will be paired with a motherboard, which already has its own MAC. We see this with the Vista-GSM4G, which is a cellular AT&T communicator used with the Vista-21iP. The Vista-21iP has a MAC address already, but the user needs to be able to get the Vista-GSM4G associated to the 21iP. All of this needs to be done while maintaining data integrity. The account is created using the MAC and CRC from the Vista-21iP. AlarmNet360 then gives the option to add the Vista-GSM4G using an AID. The AID is then entered, along with the CRC. As the CRC is calculated based on the numbers in the AID, typos and other errors won't make it past the server. Once all the information has been correctly entered, the device can be registered. From that point forward, the Vista-21iP's MAC is the unique identifier for the entire system.