Click on the links below to direct you to a specific area regarding our services:
How do I become a BluePrint customer?
What is an IP address?
An IP address is a unique address that every device on the Internet must have. In order for your computer to send messages to an Internet server – such as www.blueprintbytct.com, which has its own IP address – your computer must have a return address so that the server knows where to send its reply message back to. This process is very similar to the postal mail service. In order for your mail to get to where you want it to go, the destination must have a unique address and likewise for them to send you mail, you must have a unique address.
How does a router share a single IP?
A router that can share a single IP address is known as a NAT router. NAT stands for “network address translation.” A NAT router keeps track of all the computers in your home or business that access the Internet, where they go, etc. As messages go through the router on their way to an Internet server, it “translates” the private IP address that your computer has into the public IP address from us and forwards it onto the Internet server. When the Internet server responds back to the public IP address on the NAT router, it looks up which computer that response is supposed to go, translates the IP address back to the private one and forwards it back to the right computer.
If I don’t have a public IP now, what do I have?
Today, we have a large, centralized NAT router and with the exception of a handful of subscribers, everyone has a private IP address that we translate to a public IP address as those messages go to the Internet.
Why is a public IP address better?
The NAT process imposes several limitations that for most residential subscribers aren’t a problem. However, these limitations surface during specific types of activities; primarily gaming, instant messaging (e.g. MS Messenger or Yahoo Instant Messenger), file sharing (e.g. Limewire) and other sorts of interactive-types of activities. In addition, NAT can cause problems with Internet telephones (e.g. BluePrint's Vontel, Skype, etc.). By providing you a public IP address, many of these types of activities begin to function as you would expect them to.
If NAT causes problems and my router at home would be a NAT router (to share the connection), wouldn’t I still have the same problem?
You’re right that NAT in your home’s NAT router will cause the same problems as our centralized NAT for interactive-type activities. However, because your NAT router will have the public IP address and it is entirely under your control, you have the flexibility of configuring your NAT router to allow better communication “through it” to your computer. With centralized NAT, you don’t have that flexibility.
With a public IP address, are there additional security risks to me?
There are additional security risks that you need to be concerned with. However, these security risks are largely mitigated by using a NAT router. Even if you only have one computer, BluePrint strongly recommends that you use a router. If you decide not to use a router, BluePrint strongly recommends that you turn on the firewall on your computer. However, not all computer operating systems have a firewall. If in doubt, please use a router.
No, you do not need to purchase a new router. The router you already have installed is performing the necessary functions.
Do I need to secure my router?
BluePrint recommends that you secure your router. In order to ensure other computers don’t connect to your wireless router without you knowing, BluePrint strongly recommends you follow all of the instructions that accompany the router.
What are VONtel’s Calling Features?
VONtel uses a standard touchtone phone and high-speed Internet to allow you free unlimited long distance to call 50 states plus Canada. With VONtel, you can take your ATA adapter and bring your home phone along when you travel.
- Call Waiting
- Caller ID Name & Number
- Delayed Call Forwarding
- Do Not Disturb
- Find Me Follow Me
- Busy Call Forwarding
- Unconditional Call Forwarding
- Reminder Call
- Remote Access to Call Forwarding
- Selective Call Forwarding
- Selective Call Rejection
What is Offered to Manage My Phone Features?
What you can do:
- Manage your voicemails.
- Send a voicemail.
- View all missed calls, received calls and dialed calls.
- Establish a contact list that can be accessed company-wide.
- Set up reminders so a certain number is called to remind you or a co-worker of something.
- Have all your voicemails sent to your email
- Reject calls from anonymous callers.
- Place a telephone call using your computer.
- Establish a conference call on the spot — no reservation required.
- Record your conversations in a .wav format for download via the web interface.
- Mute participants as needed.
- Secure your conference call with a roll call and lock function.
- Have your calls forwarded to a designated number, which you can change as often as you like.
- Establish a pattern that you wish calls to follow to make sure they reach you (for example: ring your desk first, then your cell phone telephone, then your home phone telephone, etc.).
- Manage conference calls
- Program your calls to follow you wherever you go
What is Call Trace?
Call Trace Allows you to request an automatic trace of the last call you received. The call trace information will be provided to an authorized agency, such as a law enforcement agency, not to you. When the trace has been activated, an announcement will be returned to you providing information on any further action that may be required regarding the trace. To activate Call Trace: Dial *57 (1157 on a rotary telephone) immediately after you hang up from the call you wish to trace. You must pick up the receiver and get a dial tone before dialing.
How do I use Automatic Call Back?
If the number you wish to call is busy, the switch will monitor your telephone and the line you last called until they both become available. Once both lines are not in use, you will be given a ringback. When you answer the call, the other party’s telephone will ring and the calls can be connected. To activate Automatic Call Back, dial *66 (1166 on a rotary telephone). To cancel all outstanding callback attempts, dial *86 (1186 on a rotary telephone).
Didn’t get to the telephone in time? Auto Recall will allow you to automatically place a call to the last call made to your telephone set. If the call back cannot be completed immediately because the other telephone line is busy, both your telephone line and the other line will be monitored until they both become available. Once both lines are not in use, you will be given a ringback. When you answer the call, the other party’s telephone will ring and the calls can be connected. To activate Auto Recall, dial *69 (1169 on a rotary telephone) To cancel all outstanding AR attempts, dial *89 (1189 on a rotary telephone).
How to use Calling Name and/or Number Delivery Blocking & Unblocking?
To block your name and/or number on a per-call basis, dial *67 before you dial the phone telephone number you wish to reach. If you have requested non-pub status on your telephone line, your name and/or number will be blocked for ALL outgoing calls you make. To remove this block on a per call basis, dial *82 (1182 on a rotary phone telephone) before you dial the phone telephone number you wish to reach, to allow delivery of your name and/or number. There is no charge to use either of these features, which are automatically on your telephone line.
ACCESS & SURVEILLANCE
What Security Services does BluePrint offer?
BluePrint by TCT has customer-centered business standards that include:
- Local professional installation
- Local technical support
- Bundled pricing options with other BluePrint products and services
- Top of the line reliable and trustworthy equipment
Contact us today to talk about home security services available for your residence.
Do I need a landline in my home?
No, you do not.
What do I need in my home to make BluePrint Security work?
In order for BluePrint Security to work in your home you will need:
- Always-on, broadband Internet service such as fiber, cable or DSL. Dial-up service will not work.
How does BluePrint Security alert me if my alarm is triggered?
BluePrint Security can send alerts via recorded voice call, text message, video clip message, or email message. You can also add multiple contacts to receive alarm alerts.
How do I get BluePrint Security for my business?
Call our customer service team at 1-800-354-2911 to learn more.
Can I have BluePrint Security if I don’t have other BluePrint products?
Yes. The only device you’ll need in order for Blue Security to work in your home you will be:
- Always on, broadband Internet service such as fiber, cable or DSL. Dial-up service will not work.
- A router or modem with at least one open Ethernet port.
Can I get BluePrint Security professionally installed?
Yes. As soon as you set up an appointment with BluePrint, a BluePrint Security local professional will install your new system.
Can I manage multiple properties/residences through one user account?
Does it cost to have someone come and fix my system?
It will not cost you anything to have someone come fix your BluePrint Security system within the 90-day warranty period. However, after the 90-day warranty period, additional charges will apply for each trip to your house.
Will the BluePrint Security System work if the power goes out at my house?
Your home security system will continue to function locally; however, if you have home automation services they will not function without power.
In this case, the BluePrint Security Gateway would be unable to communicate with BluePrint Security. Until the house power comes back on, you would be unable to remotely control or monitor your system.
When the power is restored to the home and the router and broadband modem reconnect to the Internet, the BluePrint Security Gateway will automatically reconnect to the BluePrint Security system.
What happens if my broadband Internet connection fails?
If your broadband Internet service has an outage, the BluePrint Security Gateway will continue to monitor and control devices within the home until the Internet service is restored. However, you will not be able to operate the system remotely until the Internet connection is restored. Additionally, BluePrint Security will not be able to send any alert messages while the Internet connection is down.
How long will batteries last in my BluePrint Security devices?
While battery life will vary by device and environment, we expect the batteries included with your devices to last about a year. Actual battery life will depend on usage and environmental conditions. Devices placed in cold environments, for example, in unheated spaces, will have a significantly shorter battery life. BluePrint may also send you alerts when your batteries are getting low.
Are BluePrint Security devices waterproof?
The only devices that are waterproof are the cameras, key fobs, and the outdoor GFI outlet modules. Other BluePrint Security devices are splash resistant.
What is the warranty on the devices?
There is a 90-day warranty on all BluePrint Security devices after installation.