Business Security Posts

Happy New Year 2026 From Alarm Grid!

As we prepare to ring in 2026, we want to take a moment to thank all of our customers for another wonderful year. Whether you have been with us for years or just set up your first system last week, we are grateful for your trust and your patience when things get complicated. We could not do this without you, and we cannot wait to head into the new year with you.

Before we get into the festivities, here are our holiday hours. Support team, this affects you…

New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31st): Support available until 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

New Year's Day (Thursday, January 1st): Office closed.

Friday, January 2nd: Back to normal at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

Support team, if you're still reading: Surprise! You are leaving early today. No, you did not miss a memo. There was no memo. This is the memo. Take the W and go home. You have spent all year helping customers, you're the main driver of our success. Thank you for another great year!

Monitoring Station Contact Information

Even while our offices are closed, professional monitoring continues without interruption. Our central station partners at Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) and Rapid Response are open 24/7/365 and will continue monitoring alarms and dispatching help exactly as they always do.

If you need to contact the monitoring station during the holiday, to report a false alarm or to place your system on test mode, please use the appropriate number below:

US Customers with Full Monitoring Plans:

Call CMS at (888) 818-7728 and press Option [9]. Be sure to have your name, address, and false alarm password ready when the operator answers.

Canadian Customers with Full Monitoring Plans:

Call Rapid Response at (800) 932-3822 with your name, address, and false alarm password ready.

It is very important that you provide the correct password to the monitoring station operator. If you give an incorrect password when asked, or if you provide your Duress password, the monitoring station will dispatch emergency services, as designed.

If You Need Technical Support, Email Us!

The monitoring station can only assist with alarm-related events and emergencies, or system tests. They cannot help with technical support, programming questions, or account changes such as zone names or contact lists.

For those needs, email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We will respond as quickly as possible once the office reopens on Friday. Please note that there may be a brief backlog after the holiday, and we greatly appreciate your patience while we clear it. If you're an Alarm Grid customer and you have a more pressing issue give us a call at (888) 818-7728.

New Year's Eve Safety Reminder

If you are heading out to celebrate tonight, remember to arm your security system before you leave. Whether you are going to a party, watching fireworks, staying in for a quiet night, or spending two and a half hours watching the Stranger Things series finale and hoping the Duffer Brothers stick the landing, taking a few seconds to arm your system can give you peace of mind as you welcome the new year.

The Upside Down is not real, but burglars are.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being a part of the Alarm Grid family. We are grateful for your trust and support throughout 2025, and we look forward to helping you stay safe and secure in 2026. Here is to a happy, healthy, and safe new year for everyone!

The holiday season is here, and we want to wish everyone a safe and happy season. Alarm Grid support offices will be closed Wednesday, December 24th and Thursday, December 25th, 2025. Our office will reopen Friday, December 26th at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

During this time, Alarm Grid's super star support staff will be enjoying a well-deserved break to spend time with their loved ones. Even while our offices are closed, professional monitoring continues without interruption. If you have opted for full central station monitoring, your security system remains protected around the clock. That is, as long as you remember to arm it!

Monitoring Station Contact Information

Our central station partners at Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) and Rapid Response are open 24/7/365 and will continue monitoring alarms and dispatching help exactly as they always do, unless you have provided them with specific instructions to the contrary.

If you need to contact the monitoring station during the holiday to report a false alarm or to place your system on test mode, please use the appropriate number below:

US Customers:

Call CMS at (888) 818-7728 and press Option [9]. Be sure to have your name, address, and false alarm password ready when the operator answers.

Canadian Customers:

Call Rapid Response at (800) 932-3822 with your name, address, and false alarm password ready.

It is very important that you provide the correct password. If an incorrect password or your Duress password is given, the monitoring station will dispatch emergency services, as designed.

If you're an Alarm Grid customer and you need Technical Support – Email Us Instead

The monitoring station can only assist with alarm-related events and emergencies or system tests. They cannot help with technical support, programming questions, or account changes such as zone names or contact lists.

For those needs, email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We will respond as quickly as possible once the office reopens. Please note that there may be a brief backlog after the holiday, and we greatly appreciate your patience while we catch up.

Holiday Travel Reminder

If you are traveling for the holidays, please be sure to arm your security system before you leave. It is also a good idea to double-check that you know your false alarm password ahead of time. A few minutes of preparation can prevent stress while you are away from home.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you for being a part of the Alarm Grid family. Whether you are traveling, hosting family, relaxing at home, or working through the holiday, we wish you a safe, peaceful, and happy Christmas and Hannukkah season!

Z-Wave has come a long way since its introduction in the early 2000s. From the original standard to Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave Plus V2, each generation brings meaningful improvements to range, battery life, and performance. Now, Z-Wave 800-Series represents the most significant leap forward yet.

The Evolution of Z-Wave

To understand what makes the 800-Series special, it helps to look at how Z-Wave has evolved over the years.

The original Z-Wave protocol established the foundation for mesh networking in home automation, allowing devices to communicate with each other and extend the network's reach. Z-Wave Plus (500-Series) arrived around 2013 and brought improvements including 50% better range, 250% longer battery life, and faster processing speeds compared to the original standard.

Z-Wave Plus V2 (700-Series), released in 2018, pushed the boundaries further with additional range improvements, enhanced security through S2 encryption, and SmartStart functionality that simplified device pairing. The 700-Series became the go-to choice for premium smart home devices and earned a reputation for reliability and efficiency.

What Makes Z-Wave 800-Series Different

The Z-Wave 800-Series, built on Silicon Labs' latest chipset technology, takes everything that worked well in previous generations and improves upon it significantly. Here's what sets it apart:

Extended Range

The 800-Series delivers up to 1.5 miles of range in open air with Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR) mode. While real-world performance in homes will vary based on walls, interference, and building materials, this represents a massive improvement over previous generations. For large homes, outbuildings, or properties with detached garages, this extended range can eliminate the need for additional repeaters.

Faster Communication

With improved RF performance and optimized protocols, 800-Series devices communicate more efficiently. Commands execute faster, and the mesh network responds more quickly to changes. This translates to snappier control when you're turning on lights, locking doors, or adjusting thermostats.

Better Battery Life

Battery-powered devices like door sensors, motion detectors, and smart locks benefit from the 800-Series' improved power efficiency. Manufacturers report battery life improvements that can extend the time between battery changes by months or even years in some applications.

Enhanced Security

Building on the S2 security framework introduced with Z-Wave Plus V2, the 800-Series includes hardware-level security features that make it even more resistant to tampering and unauthorized access. All Z-Wave 800 devices support S2 authentication out of the box, ensuring encrypted communication throughout your smart home network.

Backward Compatibility

One of Z-Wave's greatest strengths has always been backward compatibility, and the 800-Series continues this tradition. Your existing Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus devices will work with 800-Series controllers and hubs. This means you can upgrade your system gradually without replacing every device at once.

Z-Wave Long Range Support

Perhaps the most exciting addition is native support for Z-Wave Long Range (ZWLR). This new mode allows point-to-point communication over much greater distances than traditional mesh networking. While standard Z-Wave mesh mode remains available for dense installations, ZWLR opens new possibilities for properties where devices are spread across larger areas.

Security Panels That Support Advanced Z-Wave Features

If you're looking to build a smart home system around a modern security panel, several options from Alarm Grid support Z-Wave for home automation control. These panels integrate security monitoring with Z-Wave device management, allowing you to control locks, lights, thermostats, and other smart devices from a single interface.

IQ Panel 4

The IQ Panel 4 represents IQ's (formerly Qolsys) latest generation of touchscreen security panels. It features built-in Z-Wave support for home automation along with PowerG sensor compatibility for long-range wireless security. The panel's 7" HD touchscreen makes it easy to manage both security and smart home functions from one central location. The IQ Panel 4 must be on version 4.4.0+ to support Z-Wave Long Range.

The IQ Panel 4 is available in multiple configurations:

• IQ Panel 4 AT&T LTE with PowerG/345 MHz
• IQ Panel 4 Verizon LTE with PowerG/345 MHz
• IQ Panel 4 AT&T LTE with PowerG/433 MHz
• IQ Panel 4 Verizon LTE with PowerG/433 MHz
  IQ Panel 4 AT&T LTE with PowerG/319.5 MHz
  IQ Panel 4 Verizon LTE with PowerG/319.5 MHz

2GIG Edge

The 2GIG Edge is a sleek, modern security panel that combines a compact design with powerful features. It includes Z-Wave support for home automation devices and offers advanced capabilities like facial recognition for touchless disarming. In order to support Z-Wave Long Range, the panel must be on firmware version 3.1.3.011+.

Available versions include:

• 2GIG Edge AT&T LTE
• 2GIG Edge Verizon LTE

Honeywell Home ProSeries PROA7PLUS

The First Alert PROA7 and PROA7PLUS are professional-grade security panels with optional Z-Wave support. Out of the box, they support ProSeries encrypted wireless sensors. With the addition of a PROTAKEOVER module, they can also support many legacy wireless sensors, and when you install the PROWIFIZW module, the system adds WIFI connectivity and support for Z-Wave home automation devices. When paired with Total Connect 2.0, you can arm, disarm, and control compatible devices remotely through the app.

At this time, the PROWIFIZW does not take full advantage of everything Z-Wave 800-Series offers, including Z-Wave Long Range. Thanks to Z-Wave’s backward compatibility, 800-Series devices will still work, but they’ll behave more like 700-Series devices when used with this controller. You still get solid Z-Wave performance today, and if Resideo updates the platform in the future, these newer devices should be well-positioned to benefit.

Options include:

• First Alert PROA7PLUS
• First Alert PROA7
• PROLTE-A2 - AT&T LTE Communicator
• PROLTE-V2 - Verizon LTE Communicator
• PROTAKEOVER Module
• PROWIFIZW WIFI & Z-Wave Module

2GIG GC Touch

The 2GIG GC Touch is another excellent option that combines security and smart home control. With its 7" high-resolution display and Z-Wave gateway functionality, the GC Touch provides a comprehensive solution that includes home security, home automation, energy management, and emergency monitoring.

Available in:

• 2GIG GC Touch AT&T LTE
• 2GIG GC Touch Verizon LTE

Compatible Z-Wave Devices

When building out your Z-Wave network, you'll find a wide variety of compatible devices available. Popular categories include:

Smart Locks – Z-Wave deadbolts and lever locks from manufacturers like Yale, Schlage, and Kwikset allow you to lock and unlock doors remotely, create temporary access codes, and receive notifications when doors are locked or unlocked.

Smart Lighting – In-wall switches, dimmers, and plug-in modules let you control lighting throughout your home. Many users create scenes that turn on lights when the system disarms or turn off all lights when arming at night.

Thermostats – Z-Wave thermostats like the Honeywell T6 Pro integrate with your security system to provide energy savings. You can automatically adjust temperatures based on whether the system is armed or disarmed.

Garage Door Controllers – Z-Wave garage door controllers let you open, close, and monitor your garage door status from anywhere. Get alerts if the garage door is left open or automatically close it when arming your system.

Water Valves – Smart water valves can automatically shut off your main water supply if a leak is detected, helping prevent costly water damage. This is a perfect example of how automation, working in conjunction with an alarm system, can save you money and prevent messy cleanup.

Making the Switch to Z-Wave 800

If you're starting fresh with a new smart home installation, choosing Z-Wave 800-Series devices whenever possible makes sense. You'll get the best performance, longest battery life, and most advanced security features available.

For those with existing Z-Wave networks, there's no need to rush out and replace everything. Backward compatibility means your current devices will continue to work as you gradually add 800-Series products. Over time, as you replace older devices, your network will naturally evolve to take advantage of the latest technology.

When shopping for Z-Wave devices, look for the Z-Wave 800 or "800-Series" designation on product packaging and specifications. As more manufacturers release 800-Series products, the selection continues to grow across all device categories.

Getting Started

Whether you're building a new smart home from scratch or expanding an existing system, Z-Wave 800-Series technology provides a reliable, secure, and responsive foundation for home automation.

Ready to see what Z-Wave can do for your home? Browse our selection of Z-Wave compatible products and security systems that support home automation. If you’re not sure which panel or devices are right for your situation, our support team is happy to help.

You can call us at 888-818-7728 during our support hours of 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday – Friday, or send an email to support@alarmgrid.com.

Resideo announced this week that the 6148 keypad family is discontinued upon stock exhaustion. The official technical notification confirms that the 6148, 6148ICON, 6148EX, and 6148SP are all going away. If you need a similar, budget-friendly alternative look no further than the 6150.

The 6148 was never a glamorous keypad. It didn't have a touchscreen. It didn't talk to you. It was just a simple, reliable Fixed English keypad that did exactly what it was supposed to do. And honestly, that's what made it great.

The 6148 was the kind of keypad you could explain to your grandmother over the phone. You pressed buttons, the system responded, and that was that. No learning curve. No software updates. No wondering if the display would freeze. Back when touchscreens were still a novelty, most homeowners just wanted something that worked. The 6148 worked.

The 6148ICON was the same idea but with pictures instead of words. Little icons showed you what each button did. Some installers loved it. Others thought it was unnecessary. But it found its audience with customers who preferred visual cues over text.

The 6148EX added a tamper switch, which made it popular for commercial installations where someone might try to mess with the keypad. The 6148SP served Spanish-speaking customers. Each version filled a specific need in the market.

Now they're all going away because that's how this industry works. Parts become obsolete. Manufacturing priorities shift. Products that served us well for years eventually reach the end of their run.

The good news is that Resideo has recommended solid replacements. The Honeywell 6150 Fixed English Keypad takes over for the 6148, 6148ICON, and 6148EX. It has the same Fixed English display and basic functions, plus four dedicated function keys for quick arming and emergency buttons. The only thing missing is the tamper feature from the 6148EX, so keep that in mind if tamper protection matters to your installation.

For the 6148SP, Resideo suggests upgrading to the First Alert VISTAH3 system with the VISTAHPKP or VISTAHLKP keypads. These offer Spanish and Portuguese language support on a 2x16 alpha display.

If you're still running 6148 keypads on your VISTA system, now is the time to think about stocking up or planning your upgrade. Once the remaining inventory is gone, it's gone for good.

It's strange to get sentimental about a keypad. But the 6148 represents an era of alarm products that valued simplicity and reliability above all else. No apps. No cloud connections. Just a keypad on the wall that lets you arm and disarm your system. There's something to be said for that.

The alarm industry keeps moving forward. Panels get smarter. Keypads get touchscreens. Everything connects to the internet. That's progress, and it's mostly good. But every now and then, when a product like the 6148 gets discontinued, I think about how far we've come and what we've left behind along the way.

If you have questions about replacing your 6148 keypads or need help choosing the right option for your VISTA system, reach out to us at Alarm Grid. The best way to reach us is at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST Monday - Friday and we're happy to help you navigate the transition. Check out our alarm monitoring plans while you're at it.

Thanksgiving is here once again! The Alarm Grid offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27th, so our team can enjoy time with their families. Our office will be open and back to normal hours on Friday, November 28th, at 9:00 AM EST. Despite our office being closed, central station monitoring will be handled as it always is; quickly and professionally.

Monitoring Station Contact Information

Even though our office is closed, your security system keeps working around the clock. Our central station partners at Criticom Monitoring Services (CMS) and Rapid Response will be monitoring systems and responding to alarms all day Thursday. We appreciate their professionalism and commitment to keeping our customers safe.

If you need to contact the monitoring station during the holiday to report a false alarm or put your system on test mode, here's who to call:

US Customers: Call CMS at (888) 818-7728 and press Option [9]. Have your name, address, and false alarm password handy when the operator picks up.

Canadian Customers: Call Rapid Response at (800) 932-3822 with your name, address, and false alarm password ready.

Quick heads-up: Make sure you give them the correct information. If you accidentally provide an incorrect password or your Duress password instead of your false alarm password, they'll dispatch help. Because that's exactly what the Duress password is designed to do.

For Technical Support - Email Us Instead

Here's something important: the monitoring station only handles alarms and emergencies. They can't help with technical issues, programming questions, or changes to your account settings like zone names or contact lists.

For anything like that, shoot us an email at support@alarmgrid.com. We'll get back to you as soon as we're back in the office. The holidays sometimes create a bit of a backlog, so thanks in advance for your patience when we return!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

If you're traveling for Thanksgiving, please be sure to arm your system before you hit the road. Also, double-check that you know your false alarm password before you leave. Nothing says "happy holidays!" quite like realizing you can't remember your false alarm password while you're three hours, or even three states away.

If you're cooking this year, kitchen smoke and steam are notorious for setting off smoke detectors. If yours is connected to your alarm system and it goes off, just silence it quickly. For all-in-one panels like the IQ Panel 4 or PROA7PLUS, you'll see a prompt on the screen asking for your disarm code. For older VISTA systems, just enter your User Code and press 1 (Off), exactly like you're disarming the system.

The monitoring station will call you when a smoke alarm goes off. If it's just your burning turkey setting off the detector (we've all been there), let them know and give them your false alarm password. They'll ask some questions to make sure everything's okay, and you can decide together whether the fire department really needs to stop by.

Important: Carbon Monoxide Alarms

If your carbon monoxide (CO) detector goes off, get everyone out of the house immediately. Carbon monoxide is completely invisible and odorless, and it's dangerous - especially for little ones, like kids and pets.

The monitoring station is required to send help on CO alarms no matter what. Even if you call them and say you're fine, they're still dispatching the fire department. It's for your safety. The fire department has special equipment to detect carbon monoxide and make sure your home is safe to re-enter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for choosing Alarm Grid. Whether you're hosting, traveling, staying home for a quiet day, or working through the holiday, we hope your Thanksgiving is exactly what you want it to be. May your turkey be moist, your family drama be minimal, and your smoke detectors stay silent!

Resideo Technologies has announced an automatic firmware update rollout for several AlarmNet LTE communicators used in security systems. These updates are designed to enhance cellular connectivity and ensure a more stable, reliable link between your system and the AlarmNet cellular network.

According to MyWebTech Technical Notification #136, Resideo will begin pushing firmware updates over the air within the next 30 days to select radios used in burglary and residential fire applications. These updates are part of an ongoing effort to maintain optimal performance and address prior cellular connectivity issues.

Affected Radios & Latest Firmware Versions

• Honeywell Home LTE-IV — Firmware 4.1.31.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-IA — Firmware 4.1.31.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-XV — Firmware 4.0.62.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-XA — Firmware 4.0.62.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-L3V — Firmware 4.0.54.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-L3A — Firmware 4.0.54.0
• Honeywell Home LTE-HSV — Firmware 2.14.16

Many of the affected communicators, though still active in the field, have been discontinued by Resideo and AlarmNet. Because they are no longer offered by Alarm Grid, discontinued products are not linked above.

These updates will occur automatically, and no action is required from end users in most cases. However, communicators with low backup battery voltage, or with a missing backup battery, may not successfully complete the update. In those instances, the communicator battery should be replaced so that the update can occur.

A small number of systems may briefly display a “radio trouble” condition when the communicator reboots after the update. This condition can typically be cleared by entering a valid user code + 1 (Off) twice on the system keypad.

Notes on Fire Radios

The same technical notice also reminds users about firmware updates for certain commercial fire communicators (HWF2V-COM, HWF2A-COM, LTE-CFV, LTE-CFA). However, Alarm Grid does not support commercial fire alarm systems, and these devices are not sold or supported by us. If you work with fire alarm communicators, contact your fire system provider or Resideo technical support for further assistance.

Summary

Resideo’s automatic update process ensures continued reliability for AlarmNet-connected communicators. As long as your communicator is in good working order and has adequate power and a good backup battery, it is likely that no action will be required on your part. With a possible exception of a disarm command to clear a communicator trouble display on some VISTA systems.

Alarm Grid will continue to keep you informed of any further changes that may affect system performance or connectivity.

We first told you about the new lineup of First Alert CX4 cameras in September. At that time, there wasn't much information available about the cameras and their specs. Now, Resideo has announced the release of the cameras and mounting accessories. So, let's take a closer look at them.

Each camera in the new CX4 lineup offers 8MP ultra-high-definition image quality. Intelligent AI-based event detection can distinguish people, vehicles, animals, and packages. The main differences between the various camera styles come down to design, mounting style, and placement options. Below is a quick reference table showing how each camera fits into your installation plan, along with the compatible accessories for that model.

First Alert CX4 Camera Product Matrix

Image	Product	Key Features & Accessories
	First Alert CX4B 8MP AI Bullet Camera Model: CX4BE08F28PW	Long-range coverage and visible deterrent design Ideal for driveways, parking lots, and exterior perimeters IP67 weather-rated housing 2.8mm fixed lens (104° horizontal FOV) PoE or 12VDC power options Built-in microphone for one-channel audio
	↳ CX4AJBFTB – Fixed Turret/Bullet Extended Junction Box	Provides space for cable connections; allows cleaner weather-sealed installations.
	↳ CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate	Adapter plate for mounting to existing electrical boxes or retrofit surfaces.
	First Alert CX4T 8MP AI Turret Camera Model: CX4TE08F28PW	Ball-and-socket design for flexible aiming Built-in microphone for one-channel audio Ideal for indoor or outdoor areas Anti-glare design reduces IR reflection
	↳ CX4AWMFTJB – Wall Mount with Junction Box	Wall mount providing added depth and protection for turret camera wiring.
	↳ CX4AWMFTDB – Wall Mount Bracket	Used for angled installations or combined with other mounts.
	↳ CX4AJBFTB – Extended Junction Box	Shared accessory for turret or bullet cameras; conceals cabling for neat installs.
	↳ CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate	Adapter plate for gangbox mounting.
	First Alert CX4D 8MP AI Dome Camera Model: CX4DE08F28PW	Discreet, low-profile design IK10 rated tamper-resistant dome housing 125° field of view for wide coverage Perfect for retail, lobbies, or offices Built-in microphone for one-channel audio
	↳ CX4AJBFD – Fixed Dome Extended Junction Box	Adds space for wiring and conduit; helps weather-seal cable entry.
	↳ CX4AWMFDJB – Wall Mount with Junction Box	Mounts dome camera securely on vertical surfaces; includes cable space.
	↳ CX4AWMFTDB – Fixed Turret/Dome Wall Mount Bracket	Universal bracket shared between turret and dome models.
	↳ CX4ACMFD – Fixed Dome Ceiling Flush Mount	Provides clean, recessed ceiling mounting option for a low-profile look.
	↳ CX4AGBCP – Gangbox Converter Plate	Adapter for dome camera installations using standard gangbox openings.

*All accessories are rated for operation from -40°F to 140°F (-40°C to 60°C) and are constructed of durable aluminum alloy or PC+ABS materials. Junction boxes are sold separately and recommended for clean, weather-resistant installations.

First Alert CX4 Product Feature Matrix

Each of the new First Alert CX4 Cameras offers the same 8MP ultra-HD clarity, AI-driven motion analytics, and Total Connect 2.0 integration, but each form-factor has distinct advantages:

• The CX4B Bullet Camera is best for exterior spaces where visibility and deterrence are of particular importance.
• The CX4T Turret Camera offers the best balance between installation flexibility and features, making it a great all-around option for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Meanwhile, the CX4D Dome Camera delivers a sleek, tamper-resistant design suited for interiors like offices, stores, and lobbies, and outdoors such as parking lots, driveways, and exterior entrances where both aesthetics and protection against vandalism are key.

We’re genuinely excited to see how these new CX4 cameras help our customers feel safer and more connected. Whether you’re adding your first camera or upgrading to a full Pro Series or VISTAH3 system, these new models make it easier than ever to protect what you care about most.

To unlock remote viewing, cloud storage, and full Total Connect 2.0 integration, you’ll need a professional monitoring plan. If you’re not already set up, you can explore our no-contract monitoring plans here. If you have questions, we'd be glad to help, email us at support@alarmgrid.com. We're here Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST/EDT.

It was a crazy day across the internet. Like a lot of other websites you might use, Alarm Grid was affected by the disruptions from the outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS). We wanted to let you know what happened, how it affected us, and the good news that things are getting back to normal.

What Happened?

According to Amazon, at around 3:11 AM EDT Amazon's huge AWS US-EAST-1 region (which is a massive data center in Virginia) started having issues. The first signs of trouble were increased latencies and error rates for sites and applications serviced by US-EAST-1. This regional data center runs a huge portion of the internet, so when it has a bad day, it can create a domino effect that takes down lots of services.

The crux of the problem appears to have been two-fold. Early in this event, at around 5:00 AM EDT, Amazon identified an issue with DNS resolution to the DynamoDB endpoint within the US-EAST-1 region. DNS or Domain Name System is how a URL like alarmgrid.com gets tracked down to its source IP address. By 6:35 AM EDT, Amazon reported that this issue had been fully mitigated.

The second source of trouble has to do with an underlying system designed to monitor the health of AWS load-balancing servers. It's unclear exactly what happened with this system currently, but mitigation efforts are progressing well for that issue as well. You're likely still seeing latency with some sites and apps that you visit. At 4:03 PM EDT, the AWS Health Dashboard said:

"Service recovery across all AWS services continues to improve. We continue to reduce throttles for new EC2 Instance launches in the US-EAST-1 Region that were put in place to help mitigate impact. Lambda invocation errors have fully recovered and function errors continue to improve. We have scaled up the rate of polling SQS queues via Lambda Event Source Mappings to pre-event levels. We will provide another update by 1:45 PM PDT."

How Did This Affect Alarm Grid?

Alarm Grid uses AWS in several ways to keep our website and services running smoothly. When AWS went down, it meant we had trouble with:

• Access to our site: The site alarmgrid.com has been unavailable at times, throughout the day today.
• Website features: You might have noticed our site was super slow, or that parts of our customer portal weren't loading at all. If you are attempting to place an order, you may see some issues. Please, retry any failed operation. You can reach out to support@alarmgrid.com if you need assistance.
• Our own support tools: Our web-based phone system was affected earlier in the day, but seems to have recovered as of now.

We know how frustrating this is, especially when you're trying to get something done. We sincerely apologize for the headache. Our site is up, but is still experiencing significant latency as of this writing. Rest assured, we're here and we'll help however we can.

Good News: Things Are Coming Back Online!

As of this afternoon, AWS says they've identified the issue and are well on their way to a resolution. We're already seeing our systems come back to life, and the Alarm Grid site should be getting back to normal.

What Wasn't Affected

Fortunately, monitoring services were apparently unaffected. We received no reported issues from our central station partners: Criticom Monitoring Service for customers in the United States, and Rapid Response for our Canadian customers. Alarm signal processing continued as usual. Likewise, the Total Connect 2.0 and Alarm.com remote services also appear to have been unaffected.

A Few Quick Stats on the Outage:

Just to show how big this outage was, at its peak, Downdetector.com showed nearly ten thousand reports for AWS. It also caused problems for major services like Snapchat, Ring, Roblox, Fortnite, and many others.

The Resideo PROSIX line of wireless sensors currently works with the PROA7, PROA7PLUS, and VISTAH3 panels. These encrypted sensors offer excellent range, reliability, and security. But to get the most out of your investment, it helps to follow some basic rules for installation and upkeep.

New to PRO Series sensors? This simple guide shows you how to place, pair, and care for Resideo PROSIX devices with your PROA7 or PROA7PLUS panel.

What To Do First

1. Plan install locations: Walk your home and decide where each sensor should be mounted. We'll talk more about mounting considerations next.
2. Name your zones: Make a short list like “Front Door,” “Kitchen Window,” “Hall Motion.” This makes setup quick and easy.

Sensor Placement Basics

Door/Window Contacts

• Protect any opening a person can reach from outside. If you’re on a budget, start with the highest-risk spots: ground-level doors and windows, especially those at the back of the home or in darker, hidden areas. Cover additional openings as your budget allows.
• Mount the sensor on the frame and the magnet on the moving portion of the door or window.
• Keep the magnet and sensor properly aligned and as close together as possible when closed. Check your model’s maximum gap specification and make sure the closed gap doesn’t exceed it.
• Avoid mounting directly on ferrous metal. If the frame is metal, use included spacers if provided. Aluminum doors usually don't pose a problem. A PROSIXCTV can be used to add a separate contact, such as the Honeywell 947-75T, that is made specifically for mounting on steel doors.

Motion Sensors

• Place on a wall or in a corner with a clear view of the room, about 6–8 feet high.
• Avoid pointing at windows, fans, or HVAC vents.
• Do not aim directly at heat sources (ovens, space heaters, sunny glass).
• If you have pets, follow the specific mounting instructions in the installation guide. The PROSIXPIRV offers up to 80 pound (36kg) pet immunity when the instructions for pet immunity are strictly followed. Generally speaking, mount where any animal, regardless of size, can't come within six (6) feet of the front of the sensor.

Glass Break Sensors

• Verify in the installation instructions that the PROSIXGB is suitable for the type and size of glass you want to protect.
• Mount the PROSIXGB in the same room as the glass to be protected.
• Avoid thick curtains or heavy drapes between the sensor and the protected glass.
• Set the sensitivity level for the PROSIXGB based on the distance between the detector and the protected glass.
• Mount on a wall or ceiling with a clear “line of sound” no more than 25' (7.6m) from the protected glass.

Tip: If you’re unsure about a mounting location, temporarily tape the sensor in place, finish setup, and test the glass break before permanently mounting.

How to Pair a PROSIX Sensor

1. On the panel, tap Menu (≡) > Tools > Installer Code (Default 4112) > Programming > Peripherals > + Key (upper right). The panel is now in listening mode.
2. Put the sensor into enrollment by pulling the battery tab on brand new sensors, or by opening the device's cover to activate the tamper.
3. Once the panel detects the sensor, give it a clear name, such as “Front Door” or “Living Room Motion.” Program any other sensor-specific fields, such as Response Type and Service for sensors that can use more than one zone, e.g., PROSIXCTV and PROSIXSMOKEV. For sensors with a single function Service will be filled automatically.
4. Be sure to click Save and close the sensor cover if the tamper was used to pair it with the panel.
5. Once you exit programming tap Menu (≡) > Sensors and check the signal strength of each PROSIX sensor in the location where it will be permanently mounted. Once a good communication path is confirmed, permanently mount each sensor and do a final signal strength check.

Important Note: If a sensor won’t enroll, confirm it isn’t paired to another panel. An unpaired sensor shows a rapidly blinking LED when you pull the battery tab, fault the sensor, or open the cover. A slow blink indicates the sensor is already paired. If possible, factory-default the sensor; otherwise, remove/release it from the previous panel, then enroll to the new one.

Battery Care

• Use only the battery type listed on the sensor’s Install Guide, or Data Sheet.
• Always remove all batteries, wait a full ten seconds, then insert new batteries. This helps to clear any low battery signal. Always read the sensor instructions for any special notes about installing new batteries. For example, the PROSIXCMBOV requires that all new batteries be installed within 15 seconds of beginning the battery install process.
• For sensors with multiple batteries, always change all batteries at the same time. Don't mix old and new batteries and don't mix batteries from different manufacturers.
• You can check the battery level of other sensors by tapping Menu (≡) > Tools > Installer or Master Code (4112 and 1234 by default, respectively) > System Test > Test Sensors > Start Test > OK. The siren will sound for a few seconds. Go around and fault each sensor. Then check the panel for the signal strength and battery level of all tested sensors. If any other sensor batteries are low you can go ahead and change them to prevent future low battery messages on the panel.

Important Note: PROSIX sensors use two-way supervision, meaning they require an acknowledgement (ACK) from the panel after sending a check-in signal. If the panel is powered down or removed, a sensor will repeatedly attempt to check-in, quickly draining its battery. To preserve battery life, remove the batteries from your PROSIX sensors whenever the panel will be out of service for an extended time.

When powering the system back up, always power on the PROSIX transmitters before the PRO Series panel. The panel uses Frequency Agility to select the best RF channel and then instructs the sensors to follow. If the panel changes channels while the sensors are still off, they won’t receive the update. This leaves them in a state of limbo, unable to communicate with the current panel or with any new or defaulted panel.

Monthly Test

1. Put the system in test mode with your monitoring company if you subscribe to full monitoring. You'll need to provide your name, address, and false alarm password, as well as a duration for the test.
2. Enter the panel's Walk Test Mode.
3. Open and close each protected door/window and confirm it shows on the panel.
4. For motion detectors, follow the sensor's instructions for entering Walk Test Mode. For the PROSIXPIRV remove and replace the batteries. This removes any transmit inhibit designed to conserve battery life and enables the sensor LED. The motion will remain in Walk Test Mode for ten minutes. Walk in front of each motion sensor and verify you see it trigger when you walk in the protected area.
5. For glass break sensors, we linked above to an FAQ on using the Honeywell FG701 to perform a functional test. The FAQ is written describing the steps with a Honeywell 5853, but they translate to the PROSIXGB very well.
6. Exit test mode and confirm the system displays the proper status with no trouble conditions present.

Safety and Mounting Tips

• Use the included screws for permanent installs where possible.
• Clean the mounting surface before using double-sided foam tape. Press firmly in place for a full 30 seconds.
• Keep sensors dry and indoors unless the model is rated for outdoor use.

Quick Reference: Which Sensor Goes Where?

Keep Your Panel Updated

Connect your panel to WIFI so it can receive the latest over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates. The PRO Series panels will not download firmware using cellular data. The PROA7PLUS comes from the factory with the PROWIFIZW installed. The PROA7 comes with no built-in communicator, so it will need to have a PROWIFI or PROWIFIZW added.

Firmware updates can improve stability and sensor compatibility. When firmware updates for PROSIX sensors are available, they are included in the panel's firmware package. Once the panel updates, the sensor firmware will be pushed by the alarm panel to each sensor.

Need a Hand?

Alarm Grid supports DIYers every day. If you want help selecting, placing, or pairing PROSIX sensors, we can help. We provide free technical support to our monitored customers M - F from 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Eastern Time. You can reach us by calling 1-888-818-7728 or via email at support@alarmgrid.com.