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Background: Old, Hard-to-use Home Security System

We moved into a house with an existing "wired" home security system. This system includes an circa-1991 panel from Ademco (model 4140).

The wires are in place; the sensors work. We could use it "as is".

The UI on the panel however, lacks the user friendliness one would expect in 2010. So we looked at upgrading the control panel and the keypads.

Here's the question: I'm looking for a wired panel that also has ethernet or 802.11.n (g/b, i.e. wifi) connectivity plus a webserver so that I can check it from my phone.

Specifically:

  • Wi-fi connectivity
  • Embedded Web server
  • Messaging capability when intrusion happens ("Rear Door Open")
  • Secure (or at least as secure as my network)

Nothing from the major manufacturers (Ademco/Honeywell & GE) offer any wi-fi, internet-base d monitoring/embedded web servers/etc. (Actually one does, but the details are really murky. It's clearly not for home users and they offer very little technical information)

The situation reminds me of blu-ray players circa 2003 ago: they had no network connectivity. A few years later some had an ethernet port. Today, 3Q 2010, many $200 units have built-in 802.11n.

Summary When will internet-connected home security systems hit the streets?

Aarthi
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user1142
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5 Answers5

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Check out Simplisafe. They've been quite good, connect via a cellular connection, sleek design, etc.

Tester101
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Leonard Nelson
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I've not used it myself, but ELK seems to do SOME of what you are after.

Peter K.
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I used Front Point

http://www.frontpointsecurity.com/

All the modules are wireless; an iPhone app is provided by Alarm.com for free and it now even does some home automation; lights, thermostat, etc...

Can arm / disarm from the iPhone app and receive notifications when the alarm goes off; like the 5th time since i've had it when my cats set it off this last week.

They even offer some security camera's that work over wifi

I too, considered a ethernet / wifi security system as I'm a systems admin / engineer - couldn't find anything I like and in the end, what happens if you loose power? What happens if the internet connection goes down? Power is 1 issue; can put in a UPS; but most residents don't have redundant internet connections. And, if you really did it yourself, you'll have no insurance for theft / damage.

But, I am considering going outside of front point for security camera's - I like and use Axis network camera's at work, which can also be reached over a smart phone. I'm just extremely paranoid :)

lsiunsuex
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Vivent (http://www.vivint.com/), formerly Apex Alarms, has control panels that can be accessed via the web, smart phone (app-based), etc. They also have thermostats and other automation that can be accessed in the same way.

I've been a happy Apex user for a few years now, haven't upgraded to this net-enabled option, but it's something I'm considering.

richardtallent
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I recently updated the security system at our home for those same features. This security monitoring services was very helpful in installing the wireless system with video monitoring. There area also a number of other apps and functions that are compatible with the system, such as remotely arming and disarming the system. There are some functions that I don't even bother with, thermostat control, and turning lights on and off.

Dylan Mazeika
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