Communications

For a tutorial on communicating with a DSC security panel, see Communications Tutorial.

Active Communications

The active communications for an account can be viewed in the Status window while the account is open.

Refresh

The Refresh button works just like the Refresh button on your internet browser. It reloads the information in the recent activity list.

Clear Completed

The Clear Completed button removes anything in the recent activity list which is listed as being completed.

Clear Errors

The Clear Errors button removes anything in the recent activity list which has failed or has been listed as in error, for some reason.

For a list of communications errors and what causes them, see List of Communications Errors.

Cancel Communications

The Cancel Communications function is available in the Account toolbar. This function may be used to cancel a current (or pending) communication job, but this function should not be considered a "Hang up immediately" command.

When pressed, the Communication Manager stops sending upload or download commands to the panel when it is determined to be "SAFE TO STOP". This means that the communication session that you are trying to cancel will NOT hang up with the panel immediately, but will wait until the communication can be ended gracefully, leaving the panel in an operational state.

Global Upload

If a global upload was canceled, data that was already uploaded from the panel will be saved, and any options that were not yet uploaded will remain tagged for upload. This allows for an opportunity to restart the communication at a later time.

Global Download

If a global download was canceled, any options that were not downloaded will be saved to the database and tagged for download. The remaining options may be downloaded at a later time.

Tagged Communication

If a tagged communication was canceled, tags for options that were completed successfully will be cleared, tags for options that were not completed successfully will be saved, and may be restarted at a later time. Data that was uploaded successfully will be saved to the database.

More about Tags

Connection Methods

You can connect to a DSC panel using the DLS software in a variety of different ways. These include PC-Link, T-Link, and PSTN.

PC-Link

PC-Link is a method of connecting to a DSC panel by connecting a serial port on your computer directly to the security panel. The PC-Link connection method requires you to have a free serial port on your computer, as well as a PC-Link cable. This cable will connect from the serial port of your computer to the PC-Link header directly on the control panel.

To connect using PC-Link you do not have to select PC-Link as a connection type when you create an account. The option will always be present when you try to upload/download information. Once you have selected to upload or download, you may either select PC-Link from the connection type dropdown box, or there will also be a check box below reading "Override default connection type with PC-Link". Once DLS indicated that it is waiting for the connection you may proceed to initiate PC-Link from the panels keypad.

T-Link

The T-Link and TL network connection methods refer to connecting to the security panel via a T-Link module which allows connection via a local or wide area network.

• IP(T-Link): This refers to the TL-250 module. Select this connection type if you wish to connect to the PowerSeries or MAXSYS system via a TL-250 module.

• Ethernet/Internet: This refers to the newer version TL260GS, TL265GS. Select this connection type if you wish to connect to the system via one of these modules.

For more information on connecting to a panel via T-Link, see T-Link Module.

SMS Connectivity with Connect 24

If you are using the Connect 24 service in North America you can also initiate the connection to your TL260GS, TL265GS, GS2060, or GS2065 via SMS and have the Communicator connect back to your location. Upon creating your DLS account ensure that the SMS connection type has been added to the account and then ensureyour Connect 24 username and password has been entered. When you are ready to initiate your upload/download you enter in the public IP address and port which you would like the communicator to connect to and then DLS will log into the Connect 24 service using the provided username and password. Connect 24 will send a SMS message to the communicator and it will automatically attempt to connect back to the public IP address and port that has been provided.

PSTN

PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network. This is the most common connection method. In order to connect to a DSC panel over the telephone line, you will need an MD-12 modem connected to a free serial port on your computer, a free phone line for the modem, and the telephone number that the security panel is connected to on-site.

Modem Manager Configuration

The Modem Manager configuration can be found under the Tools menu in the toolbar. The Modem Manager can be used to configure the various connection methods and options associated with them.

For more information, see Modem Manager Configuration.

Communication Operations

Global Upload

If you choose to do a global upload, the DLS software connects to the panel via whichever means you have selected and all of the data in the panel is transferred to the computer. The global upload gets all data from the panel excluding the event buffer.

Global Download

A global download takes all of the data and information you have programmed in the account file on your computer and transfers it to the security panel.

Communicate Tags

If you select the Communicate Tags button, any options you have tagged, either upload or download, will communicate. The DLS software connects to the panel and begins both uploading and downloading any options you have selected.

Upload Event Buffer

Uploading the panel's event buffer takes all events from the panel's event buffer and transfers them to the DLS software. The size of the event buffer and events therein may vary from panel to panel.

Clear All Tags

The Clear All Tags button removes any Upload or Download tags you have selected on any options within the DLS account file.