nayr's home automation build out...

[nayr]

Z-Wave Mesh network, this is why I use it.. just works better and better the more devices I add.

 

[jrich523]

Yep raids propagate corruption across your drives.. lost my very first job in the datacenter (17 years old, fresh meat) when the raid controller on the local school districts's web server took a shit and corrupted the entire array.

Boss had given me a used tape autoloader he bought off ebay and told me to back it up, well because it was a used ebay one it did not work, 3rd day fighting the tape loader trying to get it to work is when the data decided to go Poof! back then the only way to backup 200GB of data was on tape, because that took a ton of disks to get to that point.. Ive been weary of raids my entire career because of this experience.

Offsite backup dont have to be done via network connectivity, it could be as simple yanking a hotswap disk out, replacing it with a spare, then taking that archive disk home with you and locking it in your safe until next month when you bring home another disk and take that one back to be re-written.. Sneakernet has practically unlimited throughput, just very high latency... as they say, its hard to beat the raw bandwidth of a station wagon full of harddrives barreling across the country @ 70mph..

If it took more than a $2 Halloween a mask to defeat my cameras, then I'd consider paying 2-4x more for storing that data.. but cameras are simply not that important to my security.. I dont run a prison.

its probably a tad late to help with this raid problem but the raid info is written to the disks so if a raid controller fails you just replace it and tell it pull the info from the disks... i've had it happen (years ago), its not that big of a deal. Also i think its a stretch to say RAID is dead, and even more so to say it happened 10 years ago.. people still use it pretty heavily, they just lie about it

a great example of that is EMC.. a company i truly hate... they still use raid groups, just, they hide it behind pools. the pools are made up of 5 or 8 disk raid groups... granted it makes it easier to manage, but still stupid.... you can look at something like compellent and say well they dont use raid, but in a sense they do, since there is parity bits stored.. what you find most people doing is taking advantage of how cheap disks are, to distribute the data, think HDFS... it still boils down to the same practices of raid tho... just dont have that pesky controller (altho they sorta do, just call them ASICS now), instead you're beating on your network with 100Gb sneaking in tho, who cares..


i've been using Arudino's without much luck, having a lot of problems getting mysensors to work right due to power stability issues, how easy was it to get the beagle bone going? Im more of a windows guy, so my C++/python etc is pretty weak compared to C#/PowerShell or even javascript for that matter. I've been leaning more towards NodeJS stuff for that reason lately. Is the GPIO stuff easier when it comes to clean power etc or will i likely still run in to the same electronics issues?

my background is in IT so Im ok when it comes to programming and system setup, where i really fall on my face is the electronics side of things, but I'd like to tap in to my garage door, because on a few occasions i've left the door open and left and forgotten about it, i'd really like to be able to shut it remotely, and the whole arudino/mysensors stuff is not going well for me.

Also im currently using Domoticz as well, but I really wish it broke it down in to rooms, so I could toss in some location detection and show me controls for the room im in, rather than just favorite things.. gets too messy... and it seemed without major changes, that wouldnt be too easy to implement.. with all the devices you have going, how do you handle that?

 

[nayr]

actually in this partictular case the card had faulty memory and had been corrupting data for a good long while, when it finally locked up my boss went and rebooted it and that was that.. I had another identical system and did try to replace the hardware, some data was recoverable, but there were also politics involved too..

all my beagles run pretty damn stable, they have watchdog hardware that I setup so if they hang they reboot.. they also have built in lipo chargers and you can just wire a small battery right up to it for a built in UPS... comes loaded with NodeJS ready to bang out GPIO's.

Have you been using Domotic'z roomplans? it has a drop down on every page and is basically just device groups, and they can be in more than one.. I have so many devices most are hidden from default view and you have to drill into the room.. $HiddenDevices room is a default one you can dump stuff you dont want to see by default.

 

[jrich523]

Im actually in the process of getting the floorplan stuff setup, running around measuring and sketching each room, takes a while

I dont suppose you have come across a tutorial for getting the BB setup with dom (or any thing similar). Even a simple temp sensor or something. Im not even sure where i'd start looking for something like that (what am i searching on?)

thanks

 

[nayr]

oh I dont have any floor plans, just room plans.. there is a difference.

its just linux SysFS GPIO, its not really specific to the BeagleBone.. this looks like a decent explanation: http://www.armhf.com/using-beaglebone-black-gpios/

 

[jrich523]

I figured I'd do both, since it seemed to make sense..

just ordered my beaglebone, should get it tomorrow so i can start to play!

 

[jrich523]

Hey @nayr how are you sending the data to Domoticz? Are you just creating custom devices in Dom or using a generic format (something like mysensors?)
Also have you played with BoneScript? I ask because I've read conflicting things about the performance of it when it has to do with sensors/GPIO
Do you have a preferred forum for the beaglebone stuff?

 

[nayr]

Dummy Devices and this NodeJS Module I wrote: https://www.npmjs.com/package/node-domoticz-mqtt

Forums? no, I have not needed any community support for the beagle, its pretty straight forward..

 

[jrich523]

Ah very cool. So since this is node based i assume that bonescript has been just fine for you?

Looks like i'll start to screw around with my DHT11 and see if i can get that in to Dom.

 

[badmannen]

Damn it , I tried to stay away from this thread as long as possible but now I got hooked after reading through the whole thing. Big thanks to Nayr for sharing and posting all the useful links to componennts etc. This got me interested in embedded stuff again.

Well then. Off to order a beaglebone, relay, permaprotoboards and a couple of arduinos to start off with =)

 

[nayr]

The Dallas 1-Wire Temp Probes work great and are easy to setup, you can wire up a ton of em off a couple IO's..

 

[tangent]

@nayr thanks for sharing all the details of your automation project! I just read through the whole thread so pardon my disjointed thoughts.

For a lot of people trying to do something similar, building off of a hardwired alarm system may be more practical than a network of beaglebones. They might even have one already, but wired >> wireless. There used to be some open hardware projects with more robust io but I think they've all gone belly up or abandonware. Most alarm systems (honeywell, dsc, ge, hai, elk, bosch, napco, etc) have serial interface automation modules that can be used with things like domoticz, there are also modules like the evl-4. Alarm panels development occurs at snails pace, but everything is very stable, including their unsecured keybus. The biggest problem with these is the choice to put all most all the R&D into wireless systems and corporate choices limit compatibility. An actual alarm system is also easier to sell with the house. I'm not sure I'd bother with using an alarm panel for any of the actual logic, even an elk.

I think I saw code somewhere to automatically make kodi picture in picture a camera feed on some type of trigger.

Reed switch is a nice trick for sensing a doorbell. ELK also has a doorbell/phone detecting module you can buy. The circuit's pretty simple, this can be nice if you just want to wire something up at the doorbell transformer without fishing wires.

It's possible to get a pretty good sense of what major appliances are running just from a ring on your meter or clamp on your mains without sensing each individual appliance. You can connect the dots and see what's running by tracking the changes, it's not perfect but actually works pretty well.

Chiseling a nail to remove an old box... Don't do that. Just use one of these mini hacks to cut off the nails and the drywall: Stanley 10 in. Mini Hack Saw-15-809 - The Home Depot

Any problems with attic temps and the bone?

How sensitive are those optex request to exit motions you used? Do rabbits and squirrels running around your house set them off?

I'd forgotten about domoticz, my HA is on a smaller scale and some of it runs on pics, splds, and pc software that isn't as popular these days. Lately OpenHab is been getting more press. Did you compare domoticz and openhab?

If you're out of town, using a mail hold / ups my choice / etc to hold packages isn't a bad idea. It beats video of somebody in a mask stealing you stuff. If their database gets hacked and somebody learns you're not home, you've got plenty of other security measures. Self monitoring while your traveling isn't a piece of cake.

Are you running your own hardware / relay board for your primary thermostat or something you can interface with? For something like a thermostat, there's something to be said about something that's had a lot more testing. But I've seen a few of those fail too.

Have you considered using one of the Dahua Villa intercom stations at your front door? you've already got ip phones. IP Products
Seems interesting (could be higher res) documentation and reviews are of course non-existent.

For zwave switches I like: https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-VRMX1-1LZ-Magnetic-Voltage-Dimmer/dp/B005Y8JC6Q
or https://www.amazon.com/Eatons-Wiring-Devices-RF9540-NDW-Aspire/dp/B00S9KMLCI

You might want to sign up for crime alerts in your area:
http://raidsonline.com/

 

[nayr]

I wanted a more modular approach, put a beagle in the garage and all the stuff in the garage will go over IP to my server room.. instead of a centralized termination point for all this stuff.. (mostly to save me from pulling miles of wires)

dont use Kodi, this is a plex house

I use Z-Wave Smart Energy switches to detect appliance usage: http://www.amazon.com/Aeon-Labs-DSC06106-ZWUS-Z-Wave-Energy/dp/B007UZH7B8

yeah I tried OpenHAB first but never liked it much, it really came down to the best OZW Implementation at the time and Domo won by a long shot.

No problems so far but I make no promises.

The optex sensor is pretty sensitive, however only cats crawling on my vehicles set it off..

I use mail hold all the time, but it has its own issues.. like something unexpected that delays your return so you make it home a day or two later than planned.. and then of course there are sudden trips you cant plan for, since they need a few days warning there are times when it just dont work that great.

I use a Trane Z-Wave Thermostat

I have no desire for a front door intercom and the next owner of this house is not getting a smart house, all this stuff will move out with me.. well all that I can take.

 

[tangent]

I use mail hold all the time, but it has its own issues.. like something unexpected that delays your return so you make it home a day or two later than planned.. and then of course there are sudden trips you cant plan for, since they need a few days warning there are times when it just dont work that great...

I have no desire for a front door intercom and the next owner of this house is not getting a smart house, all this stuff will move out with me.. well all that I can take.

I've learned the hard way to NEVER change a USPS mail hold, just let it run out whether you're home or not.

That's kind of what I figured you were thinking, but it's hard to take the wires in the wall and sensors. At some point in the future if you move, I'd consider wiring that stuff you're leaving to a basic alarm panel with a few zone expanders. I'm not sure what's more effective, telling a solicitor to go away via intercom or completely ignoring the door while they can see you're home...

 

[nayr]

Yeah it gets all fucked up if you try to do last min changes, with my front door PTZ Ive found a mountain of unexpected mail on my welcome mat after I got notified my mailbox was accessed while I was on vacation.. Luckily I called my neighbor and she gladly picked it all up and held onto it until we got home a few days later.

I plan on turning this property into a rental when I finally leave, and its likely I will stay here until retirement.. I suspect I'll leave behind some monitoring for at least flood/fire/freeze/security because I plan on retiring out of the city and using the rent money from this place for income.

the last solicitor that came to my door I answered it, recorded it, posted it to youtube, and got the guy fired and the company fined.. so I welcome the poor bastards, they play with fire disregarding my signage and ringing my doorbell.

 

[tangent]

the last solicitor that came to my door I answered it, recorded it, posted it to youtube, and got the guy fired and the company fined.. so I welcome the poor bastards, they play with fire disregarding my signage and ringing my doorbell.

If only getting rid of the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses was so easy.

 

[nayr]

my OpenSprinkler system is very effective for those, and the politicians..

 

[nayr]

so its time to attack my cabinet with a mountain of zip ties and some new equipment.. I am doing a bit of restructuring, trying to move as much as I can now to PoE..

Retiring 12 Port PowerDsine 1214 (10/100) PoE Midspan that's currently at full capacity and replacing it with a 24 port PowerDsine 9024G PoE+ (GigE) midspan that can provide power to all my PTZ's and AC Access points.. picked this nice unit up used for $100

I am going to be splitting my patch panel and doing a patch panel dedicated to just PoE hardware.

Then I am going to move all the equipment I can in the house to PoE power, this includes:

• Comcast Business Cable Modem
• 3x Nexus Players
• Home Automation Server (cuBox) & GPIO NOdes
• Dahua NVR
• 3x Ubiquiti AC Access Points & 1 Outdoor Access Point
• 8 IP Cameras
• 6 VoIP Phones

This midspan talks to my APC UPS's, each device is given a priority (router/nvr/ha server = critical, most ipcameras = high, few unimportant cameras and most voip phones = low) and as the batteries are drained there is power envelope I have defined.. as the batteries get more and more drained it automatically powers down lower priority devices until its within the envelope.. this is part of the reason for moving alot of my stuff over to PoE is so I can use these features for providing external UPS management and get the capacity of both APC's combined.. another reason is to have a single DC power supply for all these little DC devices and get all these warts out of my cabinet/house.. it'll be more efficient and fault tolerant..

Nexus players are being put on PoE because I power on/off the bedroom TV's via Z-Wave outlets and dont want the nexus players to have to boot up every time, and sometimes they need to be restarted manually, which sucks because they are all tucked away and hard to reach.

I am pushing to upgrade my main switch to something a bit more power efficient and quieter soon, this 48 port GigE datacenter switch is a beast and drains the UPS faster than anything else since the NAS and WebServer will power down

Ive got to yank a few more ethernet cables through the house and completely rewire everything all nice and clean, with production services online this will be tricky to keep downtime low.. but I'll get you guys some serious geek porn here soon, break out the kleenex

 

[nayr]

been acquiring a more equipment for the rewiring project, I only want to do it once..

landed a D-Link DGS-1210-48 for $60 shipped.. this is a 48p Managed GigE Switch that runs at a very nice 12.95W / 33.4W (idle/max).. It will be replacing my 3Com SuperStack 3 Switch 3848, that sucks an astounding 150W of power and is the loudest piece of equipment by far in my rack.. good riddens!

That will increase my battery runtime dramatically and decrease my running costs, this was the best green switch I could find of acceptable quality/features that could be had for a steal..

also landed a cheap 15A automatic transfer switch, my switch, midspan, nvr, and two servers will be plugged into this and it in return will be plugged into both of my 3000VA UPS's.. then everything else will be plugged into the primary UPS.. by the time that battery is drained only the most critical stuff will transfer to the secondary UPS, and everything else will be shutdown.. including my servers, so basically only network, home security and nvr will be online when it kicks over to the backup backup battery.. I expect quite impressive runtimes without power when all finished.

The whole wiring side of the cabinet is coming out and everything is getting cleaned, polished, and reinstalled.. there is alot of derelict equipment in there, an old P4 pfSense router, my old sun voip server and even a 100Mbit switch that have not seen power in 8 years or more.

With all these additions I've done in the last few years my server room has been needing a overhaul, it's been a mess.. going to finally get a commercial welded frame door for the entry and just seal it off.. no more cat hair/dust.

Tip: Lowball e-Recyclers, they usually get paid to haul this stuff off.. so reselling it is all profit, they will take lowball offers more times than not. (ie, offering $45 for a switch they are asking $90 for, more waste than buyers puts us in good spot)

 

[robdr1]

D-Link DGS-1210-48 for $60, how did you manage that?