Infinite Prime remote programming protocol ?

[dmb0058]

My security system (Infinite Prime/Marmitek Proguard 800) has remote programming capability via a USB socket on the mainboard. I want to control this from my linux server by sending the RP commands to a network address from a website. However I need to solve a couple of problems before I can put it all together.

1. The Infinite Prime connector cable (£40) has a D9 serial plug on one end and a box with a USB-B socket on the other. The diagrams show it plugged into a PC serial port, with a USB-B to USB-A lead connecting the box to the security panel. Now is this cable a serial-to-USB convertor, or just a bit of wire with a D9 on one end and a USB-B socket on the other ? If the latter, I should be able to use an ethernet to male USB adapter to connect the panel to my IP network.

2. I don't know if the panel is really a USB 1.1/2.0 device or if they just chose the socket as a convenient form factor. If it's really a serial device with a USB socket as an interface, what is the port spec, i.e. what signals on which pins, what baud rate/parity/bits ?

3. Is the remote programming protocol published anywhere ? I need to know what the command formats is and what the responses look like. If all else fails I'll have to use the Windows RP software to fire commands at it and stick a protocol analyser on it to see what it's sending.

Any info appreciated. I see they're bringing out an Infinite Prime Broadband model in the US, that does just what I'm trying to do, but no dates for it to be available in the UK ...