Firmware upgrade best practices

Support
1

I’m a new customer that has recently upgraded an old Brinks installation using the existing hardwired sensors with a new DSC HS2064, HSM2108, TL880, and 3 x HS2LCD(P) Ns. Both cellular and Ethernet/IP connectivity are working via the TL880.

In general, what are the best practices for keeping firmware across all devices up to date, compatible with each other, and compatible with Alarm.com? And specifically:

  1. What panel firmware is current, how long has it been in general deployment, and what does it supersede relative to V01.51.02.01, if that isn’t the latest?
  2. What keypad firmware versions are required or supported alongside the panel version?
  3. Does Surety/Alarm.com push updates automatically or on demand, and does the push bundle keypad firmware with panel firmware, or are they separate pushes?
  4. What is the current TL880LECAT-N firmware?
  5. Can the HSM2108 be updated at all?
  6. Roughly how long does staging take, and is there any indication when it completes?
  7. Is there any charge, and can it be forced over the IP path rather than cellular?

Thanks for any information,

J

2

Hello,

Happy to help! Thank you for choosing Surety!

Here are our answers to your questions:

  1. What panel firmware is current, how long has it been in general deployment, and what does it supersede relative to V01.51.02.01, if that isn’t the latest?

We see that you are using the Panel Type: PowerSeries Neo 1.5 HS2064 1.51. Your HS2064 is currently running firmware 1.51 (V01.51.02.01), which is compatible with Alarm.com. We don’t have confirmation of a newer firmware version that supersedes 1.51, so we would recommend keeping the current version unless an update is specifically recommended for your system.

  1. What keypad firmware versions are required or supported alongside the panel version?

For an HS2LCD(P) on a Neo HS2064 running panel firmware 1.51, the keypad firmware is compatible if it’s 1.36 or lower, or 1.51 and higher, and versions 1.37 through 1.50 can cause an incompatible device trouble

  1. Does Surety/Alarm.com push updates automatically or on demand, and does the push bundle keypad firmware with panel firmware, or are they separate pushes?

Panel and peripheral firmware updates are generally handled separately. An update to the HS2064 does not necessarily update the keypads or other Neo modules at the same time.

  1. What is the current TL880LECAT-N firmware?

As per Alarm.com, the current TL880LECAT-N firmware line tops out at 193b, with 191d also current for modules that can receive OTA updates. 193b is a new hardware variant released 2/5/2024 and cannot be upgraded to, while 191d became available for remote OTA on 4/29/2024 and includes the same feature set, along with support for the for the HSM2164.

  1. Can the HSM2108 be updated at all?

No, As per Alarm.com, the HSM2108 itself is not listed as a module that can be updated on its own. For DSC PowerSeries Neo/Pro, OTA updates apply to certain panel and communicator firmware, while the HSM2108 appears as a supported peripheral or zone expander rather than an updatable module.

  1. Roughly how long does staging take, and is there any indication when it completes?

There isn’t a published standard staging time for this specific system. The update should be allowed to complete without interrupting power or communication, and completion should be verified through the applicable system interface.

  1. Is there any charge?

Yes, as per Alarm.com, there can be a charge for a firmware update when it’s done remotely, and the cost shows on the upgrade screen before you submit it. That’s called out for Partner Portal firmware upgrades, including panel updates and 2GIG GC3 remote upgrades.

  1. Can it be forced over the IP path rather than cellular?

Yes, as per Alarm.com, but only in a limited case: on DSC PowerSeries Neo/Pro, broadband OTA can be used only if the communicator is on firmware 191a+ and connected to broadband via Ethernet; otherwise Neo updates will use cellular. For Neo specifically, panel updates will always go over cell unless the module is 191a+ or newer, and broadband OTA takes about 20 minutes versus cellular, which can take over 24 hours

If you have any additional questions, please let us know.

Have a great day!