Converting to Ethernet Protects Your Fire Alarm Monitoring Network

Not long ago, a well-regarded educational institution reached a technology crossroads. For decades, their fire alarm monitoring system relied on RS-485 communication using copper wire pairs.

The system was still functional, but it was increasingly out of step with the modern demands of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and cost-effective maintenance.

The client's primary challenge wasn't system failure, but rather the growing risk of being left behind. As Ethernet becomes the universal standard across facilities, continuing to invest in copper-based RS-485 cabling and interfaces is no longer sustainable.

Rather than abandon their trusted Digitize equipment, the client turned to a different strategy: convert just the communication path to Ethernet. Here, we'll walk you through how they did it, why it worked, and how you can do the same.

RS-485 is Starting to Outlive Its Welcome

RS-485 was a longtime workhorse of industrial and life-safety communication. It's relatively resistant to electrical noise, supports long-distance wiring, and is durable in harsh environments. However, those advantages come with tradeoffs that no longer make sense for modern fire alarm monitoring applications:

• Dedicated wiring: RS-485 requires its own physical copper pair connections, creating expensive installation and maintenance overhead.
• Signal degradation: Over time, insulation weakens and splices corrode, especially in older buildings. Environmental interference can lead to intermittent communication failures.
• Compatibility limitations: Integrating RS-485 systems with modern IP-based monitoring platforms, building automation systems, or cloud services is nearly impossible without signal converters or protocol bridges.
• Limited scalability: Adding new devices to an RS-485 bus can be difficult, and physical distance is always a limiting factor.

For this client, those issues became too costly to ignore.

Copper prices are up. Maintenance teams are stretched thin. And their IT department was already planning to standardize on Ethernet infrastructure campus-wide.

The Challenge is Upgrading Without Starting Over

Full system overhauls are expensive. Swapping every cable run, replacing field panels, and retraining personnel is disruptive and slow. This client needed an option that could:

• Retain their existing fire alarm control panels
• Keep using the Prism LX head-end units they already trusted
• Avoid unnecessary programming or downtime
• Fit within a fixed budget

They didn't want to rip and replace. They wanted to surgically modernize the system, specifically targeting the aging RS-485 communication backbone.

Digitize engineers provided that blueprint.

Create an Ethernet Backbone for the Same Trusted Monitoring System

The goal was to gain the full benefits of Ethernet communication while continuing to use existing Digitize monitoring gear.

Imagine a solution that drops into your current setup, replaces your old copper pair drivers, and starts transmitting alarm data over your facility's existing LAN infrastructure. There's no need to reprogram devices, pull new wiring, or pause operations.

The client's drop-in solution needed to:

• Preserve the Muxpad II or DGM devices at each field location
• Maintain Prism LX head-end units as the monitoring interface
• Use Ethernet LAN cabling to replace RS-485 lines
• Support NFPA code compliance and ensure UL compatibility

Digitize delivered all of this with a field-tested upgrade kit and built-in support.

You'll Need Hardware for This Solution

Based on the formal quote prepared for this client, the following components made up the conversion package for this client:

1. SIPPDD-25 Ethernet MUX Line Driver Card
   This card enables Ethernet-based multiplex communication between field devices (like Muxpad IIs) and Prism LX head-end units. It replaces older RS-485 line drivers and slots into the same locations with minimal rewiring.
2. SIPPDD Configurator Card
   Required for network setup and supervision, this card makes sure that the Prism LX correctly identifies, communicates with, and monitors the Ethernet-based multiplex connection. Without it, proper supervision and polling would be impossible.
3. Mounting Plate
   A simple but necessary component, this ensures that the new hardware integrates cleanly into the existing enclosure.

These three components form the foundation of a modern Ethernet-based communication path, preserving all core system functionality.

We Recommend On-Site Support & Training

The client also had the option to purchase on-site support and training services. For any organization performing a protocol or communication upgrade, hands-on guidance can reduce misconfiguration risks and shorten deployment time.

With Ethernet, network configuration becomes a shared responsibility between fire safety teams and IT departments. Ensuring that both groups understand port assignments, supervision behavior, and failover modes can prevent future troubleshooting headaches.

Cost Snapshot: Efficiency Without Overkill

The full hardware conversion cost came in at under $8,000. Compare that to a full replacement scenario that could easily exceed $100,000 when factoring in:

• New fire panels
• Cabling runs
• Third-party integration support
• Staff retraining
• Downtime coordination

This targeted conversion allowed the client to protect their original investment and avoid months of disruption.

Long-Term Benefits of Ethernet-Based Alarm Communication

The client was receiving more than just a simple upgrade. This upgrade really bought them:

1. Standardization With Facility IT Infrastructure

Ethernet is the language of modern networks. By adopting it for fire alarm communication, the client aligned with their IT department's cabling, switchgear, and monitoring tools.

2. Remote Accessibility and Redundancy

Ethernet allows for advanced configurations like VPN access for remote diagnostics, redundant pathing between panels, and cloud-ready interfaces for logging and alerting.

3. Improved Supervision and Logging

Since the Prism LX already supports real-time signal validation and event logging, converting to Ethernet improves the frequency and fidelity of data reporting. That's crucial for NFPA audits and life-safety documentation.

4. Future-Proof Expansion

With an Ethernet backbone in place, future system upgrades - like adding IP-based alarm communicators, remote annunciators, or SMS/email alerts - become plug-and-play instead of a multi-vendor headache.

5. Better Supportability

Fewer and fewer technicians are trained on legacy copper multiplex systems. Modernizing communication ensures long-term maintainability and easier vendor support.

Common Questions We Hear From Clients

Q: Can I keep my field panels and just upgrade communication?
A: Absolutely. If your panels interface via Muxpad II or compatible DGMs (and those are in working condition), you can simply convert their communication path to Ethernet.

Q: Will this affect my fire code compliance?
A: No. All components offered by Digitize, including the SIPPDD-25 and Prism LX, are ETL-listed and support NFPA-compliance. Digitize also provides generic installation drawings in AutoCAD or PDF formats as needed.

Q: What happens if I don't have Ethernet drops at my Muxpad locations?
A: That's a common challenge. You may need to extend your facility's Ethernet network, use fiber converters, or consider wireless backhaul options like Digitize's MeshSentry radio network.

Ethernet Makes System-Wide Modernization Possible

This project wasn't just about a campus fire system - it was a small but critical step in broader modernization. Across the country, facilities in education, government, military, and transportation are finding themselves stuck between two eras.

Digitize systems, including the Prism LX platform, were specifically designed to bridge that gap. They allow institutions to:

• Monitor thousands of zones
• Integrate with legacy and modern protocols simultaneously
• Add Ethernet, fiber, radio, or mixed-mode communication paths

This is especially important in environments where safety must be balanced against budget limitations and existing infrastructure.

Ready to Migrate from RS-485 to Ethernet?

If your alarm system still relies on copper pair wiring and you've been hesitating to modernize, consider the middle path. You don't have to start from scratch. You just need the right upgrade components and a roadmap from someone who's done it before.

Digitize has helped dozens of facilities convert their Prism LX systems to Ethernet - quickly, cleanly, and without downtime.

Get a quote that matches your exact equipment setup. Talk to an engineer who understands both the technical and operational side of fire alarm modernization.

Call us at (800) 523-7232
Or email info@digitize-inc.com

Let's take your system from "working, but outdated" to "ready for the next 10 years."