Setting up your NX alarm panel

The NX-584E module is an additional serial (RS232) module for the Networx NX (NX-4,NX-6,NX-8) series alarm panels and is designed for home automation tasks. This is built into the NX-8E boards by default. These alarm panels are also known as the Hills Reliance panels (R8/R12/R128) in some countries (e.g. Australia). Nb. The base models of these alarm panels only allows a single additional module to be installed. If you are using the NX-4/R8 panel and have another module already installed (such as an NX-595E/ComNav board), you will run into trouble with having both the NX-584E and the NX-595E/ComNav modules co-exist (the NX-595E/ComNav will appear to go offline). In this case, consider upgrading your alarm panel to a higher model such as the NX-8/R128. If the NX-584E is the only additional module installed on the base model panel, then you are good to go and the NX-584E should work as per the below.

The NX-584E module should be installed as per the installation instructions of the module and configured to allow only the required features. This is more of a security best practice than it is a compatibility issue. Best practice is to enable the baseline set of features, and then enable additional items on an as needs basis.

Depending on your deployment model, it would also be wise to ensure that the host running the pynx584 library and in turn the serial connection is secured so that other hosts on the network are unable to impact the security system. Remember, communications to pynx584 by default are unencrypted, and the NX-584E should be considered as a trusted and privileged device as it has direct access to the security systems data bus.

The below features can be used as a baseline set to allow interfacing with the pynx584 library.

   - Protocol: ASCII
	Feature: 0
	Segment: 1
	Option: 1 
   - Speed: 9600 Baud (OR WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE). 
		Nb. People have reported that anything above 9600bps can have adverse affects on some system integrations including Home Assistant. This is likely dependent on the serial hardware that is used, however 9600bps is typically a safe option.
	Feature: 1
	Segment: 1
	Option: 4 
   - Enabled Transition Messages:
	Feature: 2
	Segment: 1
		Options: 
			2 - Interface Configuration Message
             		5 - Zone Status Message
             		7 - Partition Status Message
         Segment: 2
		Options: 
		    	1 - System Status Message
           		2 - X-10 Message Received (OPTIONAL)
             		3 - Log Event Message
             		4 - Keypad Message Received (OPTIONAL)

   - Enabled Commands:
	Feature: 3
        Segment: 1
		Options: 
			2 - Interface Configuration Request
             		4 - Zone Name Request
             		5 - Zone Status Request
             		6 - Zones Snapshot Request
             		7 - Partition Status Request
             		8 - Partitions Snapshot Request
 	Segment: 2
		Options: 
			1 - System Status Request
			2 - Send X-10 Message (OPTIONAL)
             		3 - Log Event Request
             		4 - Send Keypad Text Message (OPTIONAL)
  	Segment: 3
		Options:            
            		1 - Program Data Request (OPTIONAL)
             		2 - Program Data Command (OPTIONAL)
  	Segment: 4
		Options: 
             		4 - Set Clock / Calendar Command
             		5 - Primary Keypad Function with PIN (OPTIONAL)
             		7 - Secondary Keypad Function (OPTIONAL)
             		8 - Zone Bypass Toggle (OPTIONAL)

Per the resolution in this issue https://github.com/kk7ds/pynx584/issues/43, on the NX-8E, Loc 23, Segment 1, Option 1 "Quick Arm" needs to be turned on in order to arm and disarm the alarm using pynx584.