Alarm System FAQs Posts

Back in 2019 we told you about the Lyric Gateway's end-of-life. Recently we found that an unregistered Lyric Gateway can't be activated. This is because of a disconnect between AlarmNet360, the platform used to register, and the panel. If you have a registered Gateway, you are not affected.

Since the Lyric Gateway hasn't been available since 2019, this is likely not an issue that will affect a lot of people. But, since the secondary market for alarm panels is alive and well on platforms like ebay, and because the Lyric Gateway can't be programmed through the panel's touchscreen, it's still necessary to get this information out there.

When Resideo discontinues a product, they continue to fully support that product for five (5) years, then it moves to limited support. That means Resideo will only provide written documentation for the product to anyone requesting support. They will not provide over-the-phone troubleshooting.

Between 2019 and now, if we had an issue with a Lyric Gateway not registering properly, we could contact Resideo technical support and they would assist with the registration. Their support team has access to tools that we don't and can resolve some issues with registration that we can't. However, now that the Gateway has entered limited support, Resideo tech support will no longer offer this assistance.

So, if you see a Lyric Gateway for sale in some secondary marketplace, we recommend you give it a pass. If you have an unregistered Lyric Gateway with any SIX Sensors paired with it, you'll need to take special steps to keep those sensors viable for use with a new panel.

1. Be sure sensors are powered on. Be sure that every SIX sensor that is paired with the Gateway panel is powered on and within range of the panel.
2. Default the Lyric Gateway When you're ready to move the SIX sensors to a new First Alert PROA7, PROA7PLUS, or VISTAH3 panel, remove the set screw in the bottom edge of the panel, then either pull the rear cover off, or pull the panel away from the rear cover (if wall mounted). This will expose the battery, RJ45 port, and the microswitches on the back of the panel.
   • For Rev. 1.00 panels, reboot the panel. To do so, using a paper clip or similar small tool, depress the center microswitch on the back of the panel (see image below) until the panel reboots. Once the panel boots back up, you have five (5) minutes to complete the default. Otherwise, you'll need to reboot again.
   • For Rev. 1.01.0215.531+ you can skip the power cycle and move straight to Step 3.
3. Perform the default. On the rear of the panel, just below the RJ45 Ethernet port you'll see three microswitches. As you face the back of the panel use a small tool, paper clip, or similar item to press and hold down the left switch for twenty seconds, or until the panel prompts you to enter the Installer Code. After twenty seconds, or once prompted for the Installer Code, release the switch. If prompted for the code enter the panel's current Installer Code. This will set the panel back to factory defaults. As part of the default, a signal will be sent from the panel to all SIX sensors releasing them so that they are no longer paired. All SIX sensors previously programmed with the panel that receive this message are now free to be paired with a new panel.

Any paired SIX sensor that doesn't receive a release signal from the panel, either by the sensor being removed via AlarmNet360 or by defaulting the panel, will be unable to pair with a new panel.

Resideo recently announced that its VISTA and PRO Series panels are now fully certified to integrate with Control4 whole-home automation. Control4 is a premium automation platform, typically available only through authorized Control4 integrators, and it operates by using specialized drivers

Control4 drivers act as the essential software that enables communication between the Control4 automation system and various third-party devices. A certified Control4 driver allows for seamless integration and centralized control of different smart home products through the Control4 interface. The interface can be a touchscreen, an app, or even voice commands. For homeowners and installers, this means a unified experience where security, lighting, entertainment, and more can be managed from a single platform.

For homeowners, the benefits are clear. A certified integration allows the Resideo First Alert panel to do more than just secure the home, it becomes part of a larger ecosystem. Using Control4, you can arm the alarm system at night while having the doors lock automatically, the thermostat adjust to an energy-saving setting, and the lights dim across the house. That’s the type of seamless, one-touch automation that Control4 is known for, now enhanced with the proven reliability of a Resideo First Alert security system.

For dealers and installers, certification reduces guesswork and support headaches. Instead of relying on custom workarounds, they can now use official drivers that are tested and verified. This not only speeds up installation but also builds dealer confidence, by knowing their installations are backed by two major industry players working together.

The move also positions Resideo strongly in the high-end automation space. By joining the ranks of other security systems officially supported by Control4, VISTA and PRO Series panels are now a more compelling option for projects where premium automation is a requirement. It’s a win for integrators looking to expand their offerings, and a win for homeowners looking to unite all of their tech through a single interface.

VISTA panels use the 4232CBM Connected Building Module to integrate with Control4. The module connects the VISTA panel's ECP bus to the Control4 system through a wired serial RS232 or RS422 interface. This setup allows the Control4 driver to import zone alpha descriptors directly from the VISTA panel, which eliminates the need for manual programming of zone data within Control4. As a result, users can arm, disarm, and monitor the status of zones directly through the Control4 interface. Check out the 4232CBM Install Guide.

Another plus that shouldn't be overlooked is the fact that Control4 will import life-safety zones and descriptors. This allows an integrator to create automations based on fire or carbon monoxide zone triggers. For example, in the event of a fire alarm the system might automatically turn off the HVAC system and unlock the doors while turning on lights that illuminate a path out of the building.

Control4 and First Alert PRO Series Integration

You can find the steps for integrating the PRO Series panels with Control4 here. Here's a quick overview of what you'll need:

Before You Begin:

• Control4 OS 4.1.0+ and Composer Pro Software.
• PRO Series Firmware 03.2476.183+
• PRO Series panel must have a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW installed.
• PRO Series panel should have all its partitions and zones configured before pairing with Control4, though you can add or remove zones after initial configuration.
• Your alarm dealer must enable the Control4 feature through AlarmNet360. This is done as part of the Smart Home package (Packages > Smart Home > Add-Ons > Control4).
• The Control4 system and the PRO Series panel must be connected to the same network through the same router.

After configuration with Control4’s Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SDDP), the PRO Series panel must always use the same IP address. SDDP is a lightweight protocol created by Control4 that lets WIFI enabled devices announce themselves on the network, making it easy for Control4 to find and identify them.

If the panel’s IP address changes, it will disconnect from Control4. Because setting a static IP directly on the alarm panel can be tricky, the better option is to reserve an IP address for the PRO Series panel in your router’s DHCP settings. Check your router’s documentation for instructions on how to set this up. Below is a list of names for this feature, and which manufacturers use each term:

• DHCP Reservation – Netgear, ASUS, TP-Link (most common term)
• Address Reservation – D-Link
• IP Reservation – Linksys, Spectrum, Xfinity
• Reserved IP Address – Some ISP-provided routers (AT&T, Verizon)

Basic Steps For Setup:

1. Initiate discovery. From Control4 Composer Pro, initiate discovery (System Design > Items > Discovered).
2. Create association. Double click on the PRO Series driver that you discovered in Step 1. If Composer Pro fails to discover the driver, make sure that all the prerequisites listed above have been met. Once the driver has been discovered and you double click, the driver is downloaded to your Control4 system. The panel's IP and other required information is sent to Composer Pro. The driver and the IP address can then be associated with one another within Composer Pro.
3. Perform pairing. Within Composer Pro, click Actions > Start Pairing. You have 120 seconds to complete the next step. If two minutes elapse without a successful pairing, the process will timeout and you'll need to perform this step again.
4. Pair PRO Series panel. On the PRO Series panel, tap Menu (≡) > Tools > Enter Installer Code (4112 by default) > Control4 Controller > Pair to Control4 Controller. When Composer Pro receives the pairing command, it will know, based on the panel's IP address, to associate the PRO Series driver with the panel and complete the pairing process. If the pairing is successful, the Control4 Controller information will automatically populate. If pairing fails this field will remain blank. In that case, verify that all of the requirements in "Before You Begin" have been met, and try again.

Complete Integration:

1. Verify partition import. In Composer Pro select Properties. Partition information will be displayed here as the information is imported. Upon successful import, the partition state will update from "Unknown" to the current state. This process may take a minute, so please be patient. Verify that all partitions, along with proper status, are displayed in the left pane.
2. Import and verify zone information. From Advanced Properties within Composer Pro select Get C4 Contacts to update and display individual PRO Series zones with proper status. The zones will also show in the left pane. When a zone is added (or removed), it will show which zones have been added or deleted there.
3. Verify visibility. From a Control4 touchscreen, or the Control4 app, tap Security and verify that all partitions and zones are displayed. If a partition appears to be missing, check the visibility settings for that partition within Composer Pro:
   • In the left pane select PRO Series > Properties > Navigator.
   • Select Security in the navigator menu. This will display the Device Visibility settings. Partitions are either "Visible" or "Hidden". If any partition that should be visible within Control4 is listed as hidden choose the Modify option and move that partition from Hidden to Visible.
   • Click File > Refresh Navigators to update and display all partitions. Any partition that remains listed as hidden will not display on any Control4 touchscreen or within the Control4 app. Presumably, it will also remain hidden to any voice assistant you may be using.
4. Test integration. Once the previous steps have been completed successfully, use the Control4 touchscreen or app to verify operation and status. Verify that all partitions show the proper status, i.e., Armed, Disarmed, etc. Walk around and fault zones, i.e., open and close doors, walk in front of motion detectors, etc. and verify that the status updates within the touchscreen or app.