I’ve been diving into the world of smart home security and have been trying to integrate my Honeywell Ademco Vista 21IP Alarm Panel with my Vera Edge running UI7. While the concept sounds straightforward, the journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster! Here’s what I’ve discovered so far:
The Setup
I have my Honeywell panel configured with a Envisilink EVL-4CG and the Connect2Go software, which works perfectly on its own. My goal is to bring all this functionality into Vera UI7, especially since I want to utilize the 8 hardwired zones for other smart home purposes. Sounds simple, right? Well, not quite.
The Challenge
The main issue I’m facing is getting Vera to communicate with my Honeywell panel. I’ve read that the DSC plugin might work as a workaround since there’s no official plugin for Honeywell panels. I’ve set up the device in Vera, configured the static IP, MAC address, and even created partition and zone devices. But here’s the kicker—no communication happens. The zones don’t update their states, and commands like arm/disarm don’t register with the panel.
I’ve double-checked everything: the IP address, port (4025), and MAC address are all correctly set. The zones show up in Vera, but they’re just placeholders. It’s like Vera can see the panel but can’t strike up a conversation.
The Questions
- Am I wasting my time with the DSC plugin? It seems like a lot of people have tried this, but no one has confirmed if it works reliably.
- Is there a configuration step I’m missing? I’ve followed every guide I can find, but maybe there’s something subtle I’m overlooking.
- Should I consider alternative hardware? I’ve heard about the AD2USB module, but the idea of tethering a computer to my alarm panel feels clunky. I’d prefer a more seamless solution.
The Next Steps
I’m leaning toward trying the AD2USB module as a backup plan, but I’m really hoping to find a way to make the DSC plugin work. If anyone has successfully integrated a Honeywell panel with Vera UI7, I’d love to hear about your setup and any tips you might have!
This journey has been a great learning experience, even if it’s been a bit frustrating at times. I’m determined to crack this and get my security system fully integrated into my smart home ecosystem. Stay tuned for updates!
Cheers to the smart home community—your insights are invaluable!