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Demise of the Public Switched Telephone Network

For decades, PSTN has been the chosen communication platform for the transmission of alarm signals. Today, many are predicting its days are numbered. Two transmission paths have emerged as the preferred methods of communication between an alarm panel and Monitoring Centre – IP (the Internet) and GSM. This article will examine the pros and cons of each.

GSM Wireless Networks

In today’s high tech world, almost everybody owns a mobile phone. The perception is that GSM networks are very reliable and rarely suffer from network outages. This makes GSM a viable platform for alarm communications and three different technologies can be employed for signal transmission – SMS, Voice and Data. The reliability of SMS varies greatly from country to country and delays in message delivery rule it out from being considered a serious option in countries where messages can often be delayed for many hours. In countries that do not experience such delays, SMS can be a good low cost method of alarm communication, however, it is often not popular with alarm monitoring companies as it opens up the possibility of self monitoring where messages can be sent directly to the end users mobile phone.

The use of a GSM Dialer/Communicator allows an alarm panel modem to dial out and make a phone call to the Monitoring Centre over the GSM network. When a conventional analogue alarm receiver answers the call, an audio/voice channel is opened up and the alarm panel can communicate with the receiver just as it would over a PSTN line. This technology benefits from being alarm protocol independent and industry
experts claim a transmission success rate of somewhere between 80% and 100%.

PROS: Both SMS and Voice benefit from low equipment costs and low network rates.

CONS: SMS and Voice technologies do not allow for the cost efficient supervision of a connection to the Monitoring Centre and often the first anyone gets to know about sabotage or network failure is when a scheduled signal, or worse, an emergency signal fails to arrive.

GPRS Wireless Networks

The use of a GPRS data plan overcomes this problem and allows constant supervision of the connection between the protected premises and the Monitoring Centre. A GPRS device uses the GSM network to achieve an ‘always on’ wireless connection to the Internet. Once connected, it can communicate using Internet Protocols (IP) just like any other Internet enabled device. This allows the sending of regular heartbeats to the monitoring server so that any equipment failure, sabotage or loss of network can be detected within seconds.

GPRS devices do not support audio/voice communications, so any alarm signals using standard protocols such as Ademco Contact ID or Fast Format have to be converted from analogue to digital within the device itself. This is referred to as Dialer Capture. GPRS enabled devices are more expensive than SMS and Voice devices and the cost of data plans vary widely from country to country. Asian countries tend to have very reasonable rates whereas rates in North America are very restrictive.

CONS: All of the GSM technologies are vulnerable to sabotage from a GSM Jammer which can be
used to prevent devices from connecting to the network.

IP Networks (the Internet)

Due to the widespread availability of the Internet, a large number of consumers are turning to voice over IP for voice service. For the continuity of clear telephone calls from human to human it’s a simple case of unplugging your analogue telephone handset from the PSTN line and plugging it into an analogue terminal adapter to make and receive calls over the Internet. The human ear is very forgiving and even though delays and echo in voice conversations can sometimes be off-putting, both parties are usually able to understand each other.

Unfortunately, this is not the case with alarm communications. Somewhere between converting analogue into digital, traveling over the wire and converting digital back to analogue, things like noise and latency are introduced and along with other problems with VoIP networks, can cause alarm communications to fail.

An in depth knowledge of alarm panel protocols, alarm receivers and Internet protocols has made it possible for some solutions providers to allow the use of regular low cost ‘off the shelf’ VoIP ATA’s for the reliable transmission of alarm signals over the Internet. This obviously provides huge cost benefits to both installers and end users as devices can be sourced locally and existing Internet connections can be utilized as the transmission path.

It should be noted that these solutions do not use or rely on the services of a VoIP service provider. A fully controlled connection direct from the VoIP ATA device to the monitoring server effectively creates a private network.

CONS: All fixed wire IP solutions are subject to sabotage from line cut which prevent devices connecting to the network.

Dual Path Signaling

Even trusty old PSTN was not immune from network failure and was definitely prone to line cut attacks. The line cut vulnerability has been removed with the supervised connections incorporated by IP and GPRS solutions but it is clear that even they cannot guarantee 100% network uptime.

With this in mind, many consumers refuse to rely 100% on a single transmission path and insist on a secondary backup path. There are several combinations that can be used to provide a dual path solution with different levels of security. The lowest level dual path solution is provided by using a combination of PSTN and GSM. As PSTN continues to decline and neither path allows for cost efficient network supervision, this is not a future-proof option.

A more popular combination for cost sensitive applications is the use of the Internet as the primary path and GSM Voice as the secondary path. The Internet path benefits from network supervision and the GSM path can take over if the primary path fails. Certain model VoIP ATA’s used in conjunction with GSM dialer have the ability to send signals over the Internet when a panel dials the primary telephone number and over the GSM network when it dials the secondary telephone number.

A similar level of security can be provided by using GPRS as the primary path and PSTN as the secondary path. Some solutions providers claim a dual path capability by using GPRS as the primary path and GSM Voice or SMS as a secondary path. Others claim dual path capability by using two GPRS SIM cards. These claims are somewhat misguided as a GSM jammer will effectively prevent all communications over the GSM network regardless of which method is used. GSM can only ever be treated as a single path even though it allows for 3 different methods (SMS, Voice & GPRS) of transmission.

High security applications demand two independently supervised transmission paths and this is usually achieved by using the Internet as the primary path and GPRS as the secondary path. Both are fully supervised, so even if the primary Internet path fails the system is left with a supervised alternative path.

Some solutions providers claim that by using a combination of broadband Internet, GPRS, GSM, PSTN and Dialup Internet their product supports 5 paths. As both broadband and Dialup Internet generally depend on the availability of a PSTN line and GPRS depends on a GSM connection a more accurate claim would be that such a solution can use 5 different methods of communication over two independent transmission paths. A dual path solution with bells and whistles.

Remote Programming and Audio Verification

If it is important for your company to retain the ability to remotely program control panels or to open up a two way audio connection to the monitored site then you should carefully consider which of the above mentioned solutions you chose.

It is not possible to open up an audio path using GPRS. It is possible using GSM voice and PSTN, however, both usually attract call charges. You should check that the solutions provider supports both client and server initiated remote programming connections to the panel.

Some control panel manufacturers allow remote programming over the Internet but this method is proprietary and restricted to their particular brand. The preferred universal method is to use an audio connection over the Internet from a solution that incorporates a VoIP ATA as the primary transmission device. Such devices have the ability to reliably transmit alarm signals, allow operators to have two way voice conversations and allow Alarm Companies to remotely program any make of alarm panel over the Internet.

Summary

The cost and availability of the various networks, existing equipment and infrastructure, insurance requirements and other concerns may ultimately determine which solutions you chose to migrate from the analogue to digital world. My hope is that this article has helped cover some of the more technical aspects of the decision making process and makes your transition as smooth as possible.

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When talking about a home alarm security monitoring, its actually a technology equipment which is a phone based communication system, that links directly to an alarm watching provisions. These provisions generally referred as a monitoring station, which is available for 24 hours a day by fully competent security. When the alarm of your home security being violated, it will automatically inform or send a distress signal to the monitoring company. The monitoring company which have guards watching the screens 24 hours a day for waiting to receive an alarm distress call, they will then receive a set of instructions how to handle it with the appropriate actions in order to protect you, their customer. The instructions could be contacting you or another emergency contact, or sending out a guard to attended your home security distress alarm or informing the police. In the event that you are away, the home security monitoring company can organize to dispatch an alarm response guard and organize to have any break and enter damage to your property repaired immediately. driving at a high speed, most work of the engine These home security alarm systems also include panic buttons and/or medic alert bracelets, and smoke detection system. If these are activated, the monitoring service company will also contact the proper authorities for that emergency. So, if you want to get more safety feels for all situation, becoming a customer of the Alarm Security Company will be one of your right …

While there are many benefits to home security alarm monitoring, there are some downsides as well. The ongoing cost of having such security can be quite substantial.

The monitoring fee charged varies from company to company, but it typically ranges from around $10 at the low end to $50 per month.

You may also consider being locked into a contract to be another downside. Again, the length of a security alarm monitoring contract varies, 36 months being fairly typical.

When it comes to the cost of the equipment itself this is not too much of a problem for most people, as it is a one time cost. Prices vary widely, not only from alarm company to alarm company but between the different systems and what is included with them.

Then there are the deals where you are provided with a security alarm for “free” and what can be better than free? Except that we are told there is no such thing as a free breakfast. When you consider the monitoring cost over the contract term you can see that it does not hurt the alarm company too much to provide you with the equipment. Sometimes there is an activation/connection fee attached to these free deals, sometimes not.

Why then is security alarm monitoring so popular?

Because it works is the short answer. In effect having your home security monitored by an alarm company is like having someone standing watch and ready to summon help should the need arise.

Should your alarm be triggered the equipment immediately informs the monitoring center. Steps are then swiftly taken to ascertain if it is a real emergency, and if so, to contact the authorities quickly in regards to the emergency. This takes place whether you or a member of your family are at home or not.

One benefit that very few people take into consideration is savings on homeowners insurance. By having extensive home security like this, you can save on your homeowners insurance cover. Because there is a constant lookout, insurance companies are more lenient, knowing that help is just around the corner should someone attempt to break in to your home.

With the seemingly ever increasing amount of burglaries and home invasions, the ongoing cost of home security monitoring may be worth it for your peace of mind alone. And this ongoing outlay not only protects your most financially valuable asset, your home, but also something even more precious, your family.

You do need to compare monitoring plans and deals, the most expensive may not be the best for you, and neither may the cheapest.

Home security alarm monitoring goes a long way in protecting your home, but you still need to back it up by being security minded. You still need to make sure that you lock your windows and doors when you go out, it is still wise to make your home look occupied even when you are out, you still need to be wary of who you invite in to your home.

And, importantly, if you do have security alarm monitoring installed, it will do you no good at all unless you remember to activate it.

smithwessonsecuritytx.com ezinearticles.com 1-888-761-7989 Most burglaries more often than not happen during the night, when families are sleeping and are most vulnerable. When a thief is daring enough to enter a home where people are sleeping it means that he is willing to risk everything and do all it takes to accomplish his mission. The robber in this case becomes a serious threat to the family and each members life is in danger. If though the family has an alarm system and it sounds when the burglar tries to break into the house, most likely than not he will run away. Many robbers do not even attempt to enter homes that have an alarm system in place. Smith and Wesson Home Alarm Security Monitoring of Austin When an alarm security system sounds it alerts the family as well as the police that an intruder is trying to enter the home. This gives the family time to react to the thief intrusion and gives the police the chance of arresting a robber, preventing future burglaries. Once a family has experienced a burglary they feel violated, they live in fear, and their home no longer provides them with a feeling of security and safety. A security system can help prevent families from experiencing such negative incidents. Smith & Wesson Home Security, alarm system, san antonio, home invasion, monitoring

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It is quite amazing how people don’t think a home security system is not that important. They don’t think it is a priority and would rather spend money on expensive computers, stereo systems, TV sets, and games consoles. But would they like of lose their expensive electronic equipment to a burglar?

It has never been more important than now to protect your home. Those without a security system are 3 times more likely to be burgled than those with one. It’s not only your home and valuables that need protecting. More importantly – it’s your family that ultimately must be kept safe from harm.

So what are the best ways to protect the home and family and prevent them from harm? One of the best ways is by employing a security system such as a burglar alarm system with home security monitoring. Do not take the risk and install a monitored home security system to be safe and have the peace of mind your family deserves.

Monitored home security is a highly effective method of additional protection that you can’t do without. If you are unfortunate enough to be subject to a burglary, the monitoring company will be contacted immediately and emergency help will be sent straight to your property.

Many properties have a security system installed but it is not always monitored. But when these non-monitored alarm systems go off, who attends to the property? A passer by? You may hope a neighbour is at home to notice? This is not reliable to trust to luck that someone will not only hear your alarm – but will act on it too and raise the call for help. These days, people are too scared to get involved with a home burglary for fear of consequent repercussions. Also tackling burglars in the act could be extremely dangerous as many are armed. A monitored home security system takes care of your emergency for you so you never need to worry – 24 hours a day.

In addition, security monitoring can be used to detect fire, carbon monoxide and floodwater. It can also be used as an emergency medical assistance lifeline. This is extremely helpful for the elderly or disabled who need urgent medical assistance. With a push of a button help will be on its way.

Although there is a small monthly charge for the use of monitored home security, this cost is often offset by the savings you could make from your insurance policy. Make enquiries as many insurance companies offer a discount for those with monitored home security.

smithwessonsecuritytx.com cid-5c19cffda7fd33d5.spaces.live.com 1-888-761-7989 Closed Circuit TV cameras are able to keep a watchful eye out and can record all that happens within each camera’s viewing range. 1. Panic set alarm ‘ This provides fast response team to go to your house. 2. Water wet sensors ‘ Senses a leak into the home and tells the fire rescue. 3. Carbon Monoxide Detection ‘ You can have alarms that tell you when there is Carbon monoxide in your home. 4. The medical set alarm ‘ For the Elderly or disabled that falls into trouble. Falls in their home or hurts there selves badly. 3. Carbon Monoxide Detection ‘ Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas that is highly toxic. It only takes a few minutes before it can kill the inhabitants of a house. The hold-up or panic system feature is able to be used to contact the proper authorities for assistance during an emergency, without compromising anyone’s safety. If something like this should occur, the Closed Circuit TV cameras are able to record every detail. Smith & Wesson Home Security, alarm system, Houston, home invasion, monitoring

A friend called the other day to tell me his garage had been broken into and some nice tools and a lawnmower had been stolen. I asked him if they’d left his rather expensive sports car in one piece, and he promptly told me, “Not where I park my car. In my garage, you know, where I work on my cars?” Ya just gotta know him.

Anyway, what he was talking about was a detached garage he has on his property. It’s a good size workshop and is probably home to even more expensive things than some tools and a lawnmower, unless he was talking about his riding one. I’ll have to ask him. What I discovered after we’d spoken for a while is that aside from us being pretty good friends for a long time, he also comes to me when he needs home security advice. He was looking for a security solution for his detached garage.

I told him the first thing he should consider is painting the windows white. This way plenty of daylight will still be able to stream into his workshop, but no one could see in from the outside, possibly inventorying the items they’d come back later to steal. A more expensive and obviously more attractive option would be to invest in nice wooden blinds or shutters. My friend has a really nice detached garage.

The next thing I told him he had to do was illuminate the area. He asked about spotlights, and I said in a manner of speaking that’s what I had in mind. Powerful exterior lights that he could place around the roofline of his workshop, designed to illuminate any area that would offer access and a hiding place in the dark. I explained that these could be outfitted with motion sensor technology, which would only trigger the lights if the motion perimeter is breached. This works to draw even more attention to the area and create a greater sense of urgency for a criminal to bail on the job. A bright light coming on, as opposed to one being on all night is more effective. I told him the last thing a burglar wants is to all of the sudden be the center of attention.

We got to talking about good, strong locks for each door, and he admitted he’d been a little sloppy when it came to his security. He explained that he’d really never given it too much thought, considering where he lives, which, by the way is a very nice part of town. I told him I’d tell him all about what locks to buy, but first he had to understand that thinking you won’t be burglarized just because you live in an upscale part of town is a huge mistake. He assured me it was a mistake he wouldn’t make again.

I insisted he call a locksmith to come fit his workshop with very strong, case-hardened steel deadbolt locks and padlocks for each of his doors. I also talked with him about sash locks for each window. Sash locks are very strong locks for windows. They are made of strong metal and have one piece that slides or turns into a second piece. With strong locks on all the doors and windows, I told my friend, potential burglars would know immediately you take your home security seriously.

Lastly, and most importantly I told him he should seriously consider a professionally installed and monitored alarm system. He told me he thought those were only for houses. I explained that he’d have no problem having one professionally installed in his workshop as long as it was no more than 100 feet from his home, his is 70. It would be the perfect finishing touch to all the other things we’d talked about. He said a call to an authorized ADT dealer, would be his next.

Wireless car security system operating on the GSM mobile phone bandwidth so you can remotely control and supervise your car. With this wholesale priced item, remotely and silently alert police in cases of robbery, cut the oil supply, remotely power off the car, trigger the super loud alarm, and has many other useful security based features. With easy installation and a low wholesale price, this Chinavasion wholesale car security device is a sure way for peace of mind and ease on the wallet.

Note: This GSM Alarm operates on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands use primarily in North America. Before you buy this item, please make sure that your country uses one of these two GSM bands.

China Manufacturer Specifications

Voltage for CPU: DC12V +/- 2V Static Current: < 20 mA Operates at 850 and 1900 MHz Frequencies: 315 MHz Output Current: Direction Light 7.5A x 2 Central Door Lock: 10A Siren: 5 ~ 10A Manufacturer Ref: AHKU2V2BYBIA

Product Notes

Unique double voice reminder Auto change to air lock Completely automatic operation Remote open/close car doors Remote monitoring Remote police alert/oil cut-off/power off /voice frightening Remote stop car to preventing robbery Hidden police-alert switch/police alert quietly Make phone call Remote engine starter

Package Contents:

Model CVEYF-F118S Car Security System x2 Keychain remote User manual with installation instructions – English Dialer/controller Mainframe module Siren Sensor GSM antenna Input wire bundle (12P) Input wire bundle (10P) Input wire bundle (6P) Start Connection wire bundle Fastening wire bundle
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You will find much more. Current Reviews:    This product was added to our catalog on Tuesday 24 October, 2006.