Redundancy for back-end failure
Methods and systems are described for back-end failure redundancy in security and automation systems. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for back-end failure redundancy includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by a processor to detect an alarm event, and attempt to establish a connection between a control panel and a backend system. If no connection between control panel and backend system is made, the instructions may initiate a two-way cellular call between the control panel and a central station, and deliver a caller ID from the control panel to the central station via the two-way cellular call.
1. A computer-implemented method at a central station, comprising:
establishing, with a control panel, a communication link over a second network for communicating a set of information that is distinct from a first network for communicating the set of information, the first network associated with a backend system of the control panel, wherein the communication link comprises a two-way cellular call;
receiving, from the control panel and via the communication link, the set of information comprising an identifier associated with the control panel;
identifying an information format of the received set of information that is distinct from an expected information format or determining that the communication link comprises a communication medium that is distinct from an expected communication medium;
triggering, based at least in part on at least one of the identified information format or the communication medium, a backup procedure;
determining, based at least in part on the received set of information, whether the control panel is associated with the central station based at least in part on triggering the backup procedure; and
performing one or more actions based at least in part on determining whether the control panel is associated with the central station.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying whether a signal comprising the received set of information has been received from the backend system via the first network.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining that the signal comprising the received set of information has been received from the backend system; and
initiating one or more protocols for resolving conflicting signals.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the control panel is associated with the central station further comprises:
identifying whether the control panel or a monitored premises associated with the control panel is part of a network that is monitored by the central station.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based at least in part on at least one of the identified information format or the communication medium, that a backend failure has occurred, wherein the triggering is further based at least in part on the determining that the backend failure has occurred.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based at least in part on the received set of information, at least one of a caller identifier, an alarm code, a location of the control panel, or additional control panel information.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based at least in part on the received set of information, a system type and system capabilities.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the system type is at least one of an alarm system or an automation system.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein performing the one or more actions further comprises:
dispatching emergency assistance or attempting to communicate with a person associated with the control panel.
10. An apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled with the processor; and
instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to:
establish, with a control panel, a communication link over a second network for communicating a set of information that is distinct from a first network for communicating the set of information, the first network associated with a backend system of the control panel, wherein the communication link comprises a two-way cellular call;
receive, from the control panel and via the communication link, the set of information comprising an identifier associated with the control panel;
identify an information format of the received set of information that is distinct from an expected information format or determining that the communication link comprises a communication medium that is distinct from an expected communication medium;
trigger, based at least in part on at least one of the identified information format or the communication medium, a backup procedure;
determine, based at least in part on the received set of information, whether the control panel is associated with a central station based at least in part on triggering the backup procedure; and
perform one or more actions based at least in part on determining whether the control panel is associated with the central station.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , the instructions further executable by the processor to:
identify whether a signal comprising the received set of information has been received from the backend system via the first network.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , the instructions further executable by the processor to:
determine that the signal comprising the received set of information has been received from the backend system; and
initiate one or more protocols for resolving conflicting signals.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , the instructions further executable by the processor to:
identify whether the control panel or a monitored premises associated with the control panel is part of a network that is monitored by the central station, wherein determining whether the control panel is associated with the central station is based at least in part on the identifying.
14. The apparatus of claim 10 , the instructions further executable by the processor to:
determine, based at least in part on at least one of the identified information format or the communication medium, that a backend failure has occurred, wherein the triggering is further based at least in part on the determining that the backend failure has occurred.
15. The apparatus of claim 10 , the instructions further executable by the processor to:
determine, based at least in part on the received set of information, at least one of a caller identifier, an alarm code, a location of the control panel, or additional control panel information.
16. A computer-program product for back-end failure redundancy, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor to:
establish, with a control panel, a communication link over a second network for communicating a set of information that is distinct from a first network for communicating the set of information, the first network associated with a backend system of the control panel, wherein the communication link comprises a two-way cellular call;
receive, from the control panel and via the communication link, the set of information comprising an identifier associated with the control panel;
identify an information format of the received set of information that is distinct from an expected information format or determining that the communication link comprises a communication medium that is distinct from an expected communication medium;
trigger, based at least in part on at least one of the identified information format or the communication medium, a backup procedure;
determine, based at least in part on the received set of information, whether the control panel is associated with a central station based at least in part on triggering the backup procedure; and
perform one or more actions based at least in part on determining whether the control panel is associated with the central station.