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Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2016 2:44 pm
by CarlL
Is it possible to install two separate EnvisaLink devices on the same DSC 832 panel? My desire is to set them up with different internet access, and have one with fewer/different notifications. I have one installed and working fine, but am hesitant to install a second just to test. I also have two regular keypads on the system.
Thank you

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:52 am
by GrandWizard
Yes you can but I'm trying to understand why you would? Can you explain your requirements, maybe I can help you out.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 10:46 am
by CarlL
Thanks. As I mentioned in my original post, I want the second device to be connected to a separate internet connection (different router, different ISP), and would set up different alert/reporting requirements.

My DSC panel is a number of years old, has two PC5532 style keypads, and two PC108 zone expander cards. When I added the EnvisaLink, it was a plug and play operation, nothing had to be done other than power the system up and it worked. Would that be the case if a second device was added, or would there be some configuration required (in either the alarm system or the EnvisaLink)? I do not see anywhere that the EnvisaLink itself could be configured manually.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 11:31 am
by GrandWizard
If it was just a matter of different reporting options, you can do that now. But if you are trying to have a completely redundant system then yes, you can do this.

No, there is no configration required. Just add the second unit like you did the first. You might want to watch your power requirements though.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2016 1:08 pm
by CarlL
Excellent, thank you for the information. The redundant reporting is the primary goal, but I will also set the redundant path to do less reporting - alarms only as opposed to openings/closings which the initial system is doing.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 12:43 am
by CarlL
And a quick follow-up to acknowledge success. No problems at all. Thanks again.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:22 pm
by beginnerparanoiac
I would like to have two network paths for the panel to reach the internet. One approach would be to add a second envisalink as discussed in the thread above. If I do that, and I have envisalarm service - do I need to have two (duplicate) envisalarm monitoring arrangements? Will the EO portal show a new "Location" - or - is there a way of expressing that the two modules are attached to the same single alarm panel and are simply alternate paths for communication?

I do not need the modules configured differently - I'm perfectly happy with the configurability for notifications using a single module, so the second module is *only* to provide redundant communication capability. This is simply to cover a case where someone cuts one network connection, and only arises since it's easy for me to provide the alternative network path.

--alternatively-- If I had a router which could handle two "wan" ports - it could presumably ship packets over the working path -- and in that case -- similar questions - two monitoring arrangements, or one - and two "Locations" or one location with multiple IP's?

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2016 1:09 pm
by Crikey
beginnerparanoiac wrote:--alternatively-- If I had a router which could handle two "wan" ports - it could presumably ship packets over the working path -- and in that case -- similar questions - two monitoring arrangements, or one - and two "Locations" or one location with multiple IP's?
If I were going to do it: That's the way I would.

My home network's border router is an Ubiquiti EdgeRouter Lite ("ERLite"). It can have two WAN ports and do WAN load balancing and/or failover. Since my backup WAN would probably be

Wireless LTE <-> Mobile HotSpot <-> WiFi bridge <-> router

I'd put in place firewall rules to limit traffic to just the EVL, on failover.

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:54 pm
by jac1987
I guess it it easier to get a router with dual wan, you can get new hardware like the router recommended above or check if your actual router is supported by firmware like tomato usb, some fork have dual wan feature that let you use 1 lan port as wan 2 or use an USB port as wan 2

Re: Two EnvisaLink on one DSC Panel?

Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2016 3:37 pm
by beginnerparanoiac
Ok then - seems a dual WAN router is the best idea - so I've obtained one that is "extra basic" and simply does failover (no bonding etc).
Answer on the "two sites" - with different WAN addresses, the EO servers seem to adapt just fine - they see the same EVL module and it
"just works" when I change the path to the network. Good stuff, thanks all.