Programming a New SiX Series Device Into an Older Lyric System

In this video, Jorge explains why an older model of a Honeywell Lyric Controller might be unable to support newly manufactured Honeywell SiX Series Sensors. The newest editions of the SiX Sensors have a different MAC address prefix. The Lyric must have a high enough firmware version to support them.

Honeywell SiX Series Sensors are encrypted wireless devices that work exclusively with the Honeywell Lyric Alarm System. These devices operate on the same 2.4 GHz wireless frequency as WIFI, but on a different channel. These are "smart" sensors that require two-way communication with the panel for proper operation. Any time the SiX Sensor sends a signal to the Lyric Controller, the Lyric must respond with a confirmation signal that allows the command to go through. Every transmission is protected by 128-bit AES encryption for added security.

It's important to understand that the SiX Sensors require two-way communication for successful operation. This is the very essence of their encrypted wireless protocol. The earliest SiX Series Sensors cold be used with any Honeywell Lyric Alarm System regardless of the firmware. The panel was able to acknowledge the signal sent by the sensor and respond with the appropriate encryption key for the process to be successful. But when the SiX Sensors were updated to have a new MAC address prefix, the Lyric did not know how to send an encryption key that was compatible with the newer MAC addresses. The system needed a firmware update to be able to send out encrypted responses that were compatible with the newer MAC addresses.

Basically, if you have a SiX Sensor with a newer MAC prefix, like B8:2C:A0 or 8A:CB:A, then your Lyric System will need firmware update MR7 or higher to support them. This will give the system the knowledge it needs to respond with a proper encryption key. Remember, any Honeywell Lyric Controller will already know how to respond to SiX Sensors with the older MAC prefix of 00:D0:2D. This is true regardless of which firmware version the panel is running, as the logic was built into the original firmware. If your Lyric requires a firmware update, it will need to be actively monitored and connected with the AlarmNet360 Servers. Your monitoring company will be able to push down the latest firmware to the panel.

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