The AlarmNet network’s reliability is
assured with a state of the art network
control center that houses dedicated
communication services and hardware
platforms. Hardware servers and communication
paths are completely redundant,
with hot back-up databases housed in
two separate locations. If one system
were to have a catastrophic event, the
other system can take over without any
service interruption. Both locations are
equipped with battery and generator
backup along with technical support
24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week
for uninterrupted service. This level of
sophistication allows us to handle alarm
communication for UL listed and critical
high-line security installations.
Network Architecture
In the AlarmNet architecture, although each of the networks are independent
of one another, subscriber radios and Internet transmitters may send messages
from one network (e.g. – AlarmNet-C) and be received at nearly any central
station location in North America over another technology (e.g. – AlarmNet-M).
The AlarmNet Network Control Center (NCC) accomplishes this integration. This
design offers the following important benefits:
1. Integration of Multiple Networks
One of the fundamental principles behind AlarmNet is the integration of
different network types. In the AlarmNet architecture, member central stations
are equipped with AlarmNet wireless or Internet receiving equipment or both.
This equipment communicates directly with the AlarmNet network. Depending on its
needs at installation at the protected premise, an installer may choose to use
any of the available types of subscriber radios or Internet transmitters,
whichever works best for that installation. Although each of the different
products may report through a different network, the central station does not
need to incur the costs of time, money, or labor to operate, maintain, and
integrate all of these networks.
When a central station signs up with AlarmNet, it establishes a network
connection scheme between the central station and AlarmNet and as a result gains
access to any of its customers at the protected premise through that scheme and
the interaction of AlarmNet.
2. Learn One, Know Them All
All of the different subscriber devices used for the different network
services have a similar look and feel. The same programming tool is used for
most of the devices. All signals are delivered to the central station in a
uniform, familiar reporting format. This assures that the central station can
receive signals from any type of AlarmNet subscriber; past, present, or future.
Once equipped to receive alarm messages from the AlarmNet network, the central
station can provide network services to any subscriber without additional
expense.
3. Supervision and Speed of Delivery
AlarmNet radios and transmitters are supervised on a regular basis. The
supervision is performed automatically, and is transparent to the central
station. The AlarmNet network communicates with all AlarmNet devices on a
regular basis, assuring that they are operational. The AlarmNet network reports
to the central station only when there is a problem. The central station does
not need to worry about supervision or maintenance of the network, since the
network performs these functions automatically. The central station only
receives the signals it needs: actual alarm or trouble messages. When the
network receives an alarm, it automatically and immediately forwards the signal
to the appropriate central station. The AlarmNet transmission generally will
reach the central station before the traditional dialer-based signal, in cases
where an AlarmNet device and the digital dialer both send signals.
4. Secure, Redundant, Wireless Protection
Not all competitive wireless subscriber services offered in the market are
wireless at both ends. For example, due to the design of the cellular network,
competing cellular services deliver signals to the central station over the
regular switched telephone network. In these cases, the communications integrity
of the central station (and all premises protected by that central station) is
vulnerable to the same weaknesses as any landline-dependent customer (line cut,
service outages, and natural disasters). Limited services such as these protect
only a portion of the communications chain. Standard AlarmNet wireless delivery,
however, assures an end-to-end wireless system that provides redundancy,
supervision, and verification of message delivery. It only makes sense that the
central station should use wireless communications to maintain the same level of
security and performance in its communications infrastructure as it does at the
protected premises.
In order to maintain a redundant, invulnerable link to subscribers using
wireline-terminated networks, a service provider must maintain at least two
physically distinct and independent connections to every network type. AlarmNet
maintains such connections at every level, saving the central station the
expense and complexity of maintaining such an elaborate communications
infrastructure. AlarmNet’s connection to the central station also has two layers
of redundancy: every central station is equipped with a primary and backup
transceiver. |
