Voip.ms and alarm system (The Monitoring Centre)

Ata?

I'd like to know too. Presumably the G.711 codec offers the best sound quality, but maybe you have to tinker with all those schemes for touch-tone coding. How can you test it to know if it works?

Using obi110

I'm not with voip.ms, but my ATA worked out of the box with my alarm system once I upgraded it to touch-dial. (Used to be pulse...)

The OBi's jitter buffer isn't configurable, so we can't tinker with that. Edit: with new firmware, now it is. If you configure your ATA with OBiTALK, you can use "Use This Service for a Security Alarm Line". If you configure your ATA manually, see https://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=8727.0 for instructions.

I wouldn't tinker with the codec; instead I suggest you use G.711u exclusively. (Uncheck everything else on the VoIP.ms dashboard.) You should also use Premium routing. If your alarm dials a toll-free number, be sure to set your toll-free routing to Premium with Canadian Carrier.

Another thing you can try configuring is DTMF mode. You need to set this both on your device, and on the VoIP.ms control panel, under Account Settings>>Advanced if you use the main account, or Edit Sub Account>>Advanced Options if you use a sub account. Try RFC2833 first and if that doesn't work try INBAND. This might not help as (so I hear) most alarm systems in Canada don't use DTMF but it's worth a try since it only takes a few minutes to do. If you already know your alarm doesn't use DTMF you can skip this.

The other thing I can think of to try is remove all devices from your network (except your OBi), and disable wireless on your router. If the problem is solved, then some other device on your network is using too much bandwidth and causing packet loss. This can be solved by making your QoS rules more strict.

Finally, be sure you're troubleshooting the right problem. I'm assuming that the alarm is dialing out but failing to transmit/receive data. It's possible there could be a dial plan or wiring issue preventing the alarm from dialing out at all. Check the VoIP.ms CDR to be sure a call is actually being established.

Thanks PianoGuy, I think the G.711u exclusively did it. Seems to work.

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but how exactly does VOIP / ATA or whatever, work with alarm system IF there is a blackout or power shortage?

Wouldn't the entire setup stop working due to power shortage? And if someone break in during that time, then it wont dial to the 'security centre' or whatever you call it?

netbounty wrote: ↑

Sep 3rd, 2013 4:07 am

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but how exactly does VOIP / ATA or whatever, work with alarm system IF there is a blackout or power shortage?

Wouldn't the entire setup stop working due to power shortage? And if someone break in during that time, then it wont dial to the 'security centre' or whatever you call it?

Backup power supply

netbounty wrote: ↑

Sep 3rd, 2013 4:07 am

Sorry for bumping this old thread, but how exactly does VOIP / ATA or whatever, work with alarm system IF there is a blackout or power shortage?

Wouldn't the entire setup stop working due to power shortage? And if someone break in during that time, then it wont dial to the 'security centre' or whatever you call it?

Just get a ups, but it's not an endless supply of power....

You need your modem and router also backed up on UPS. I still find alarm systems a waste of money...

Thought I would dig this up to add my 2 cents. Also have the obi110 and voip.ms... and I couldn't get it to work with my alarm system to save my life. Changed DTMF from hardware to software, made sure it was using 711u, changed DTMF to inband, adjusted volume out and in, same thing.

Then I signed up for Callcentric... works like a charm. *Shakes fist at voip.ms*

wilburyan wrote: ↑

Jun 17th, 2015 9:48 pm

Thought I would dig this up to add my 2 cents. Also have the obi110 and voip.ms... and I couldn't get it to work with my alarm system to save my life. Changed DTMF from hardware to software, made sure it was using 711u, changed DTMF to inband, adjusted volume out and in, same thing.

Then I signed up for Callcentric... works like a charm. *Shakes fist at voip.ms*

which alarm company are you with?