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    (Last Updated: February 8, 2021)
    • Smart door lock

      D

      Hi! I want to install a smart lock on my front door, but I don't know which one to choose. There are many different models available on the market. Do you have a reliable model to recommend?

      General Discussion
    • Lua - Code to encrypt / decrypt with AES 128 CBC

      parkerc

      Hi

      I’m looking to rework some code I found online so I can use it on Vera, and while I’ve managed to translate / convert a number of things, I’ve got stuck on a few things it does, around encryption/decryption etc.

      All the original Lua code is here - > (https://forum.logicmachine.net/showthread.php?tid=232&pid=16580#pid16580 )

      Plus there looks to be a python version too here - > (https://github.com/florianholzapfel/panasonic-viera/issues/9#issuecomment-476919658)

      Here’s an extract of the code where AES 128 CBC is required?

      function encrypt_soap_payload(data, key, hmac_key, iv) payload = '000000000000' n = #data payload = payload .. string.char(bit.band(bit.rshift(n, 24), 0xFF)) payload = payload .. string.char(bit.band(bit.rshift(n, 16), 0xFF)) payload = payload .. string.char(bit.band(bit.rshift(n, 8), 0xFF)) payload = payload .. string.char(bit.band(n, 0xFF)) payload = payload .. data aes_cbc, err = aes:new(key, nil, aes.cipher(128, 'cbc'), { iv = iv }, nil, 1) ciphertext = aes_cbc:encrypt(payload) sig = encdec.hmacsha256(ciphertext, hmac_key, true) encrypted_payload = encdec.base64enc(ciphertext .. sig) return encrypted_payload end function decrypt_soap_payload(data, key, hmac_key, iv) aes_cbc, err = aes:new(key, nil, aes.cipher(128, 'cbc'), { iv = iv }, nil, 0) decrypted = aes_cbc:decrypt(encdec.base64dec(data)) decrypted = string.gsub(string.sub(lmcore.strtohex(decrypted), 33), '%x%x', function(value) return string.char(tonumber(value, 16)) end) return decrypted end

      I can get to the point where I can create the parameters for the payload encrypt request (example below), it’s just the encryption/decryption I cant do..

      data="1234" key="\\S„ßÍ}/Ìa5!" hmac_key="¹jz¹2¸F\r}òcžÎ„ 臧.ª˜¹=¤µæŸ" iv=" {¬£áæ‚2žâ3ÐÞË€ú "

      I’ve found this aes.lua (https://github.com/openresty/lua-resty-string/blob/master/lib/resty/aes.lua ) module online, but that requires loads of others modules too, most notably ffi.lua. Which I’d ideally like to avoid.

      I also came across this aes128.lua (https://github.com/somesocks/lua-lockbox/blob/master/lockbox/cipher/aes128.lua ) but i’m not sure how that handles all the other parameters e.g specify the cbc aspect etc.

      Finally there’s this aes256ecb.lua script (https://github.com/idiomic/Lua_AES/blob/master/AES.lua) , could that be converted to aes 128 cbc and then used in the above?

      Any help/advice on this would be appreciated..

      General Discussion
    • Seeking experts for implementing Modbus TCP

      Crille

      I just upgraded the firmware for the inverter for my solar panels and that made it possible to enable Modbus TCP.
      At a glance that would be perfect for live production data fed into my home automation environment but my lack of knowledge about the protocol and how to put the data where I want it failed me.

      What I have:

      MSR
      openLuup
      Vera Secure
      Ezlo Plus
      Mosquitto
      Homebridge
      Windows Server
      Ubuntu Server
      Quite decent PowerShell skills
      Enough Lua knowledge to write my own functions and handlers
      The inverters Modbus interface definitions

      What I want to achive:

      Something that can be run by systemd och anything else monitoring the status and keeping the Modbus connection alive.
      Publish readings over MQTT or whatever fits my setup, the goal is to feed the data into openLuup in someway so Historian can log the data for Grafana and display current production to HomeKit (as a mqttthing light sensor, since there is no other accessory suitable at the moment).

      Anyone implemented Modbus TCP in similar projects or have any guidance on how to reach my goal?

      Open for alternative solutions as well, all suggestions are appreciated!

      General Discussion
    • http relay activate with username and password authentication

      D

      Hi to all,
      I am user of vera controller. I have a dahua door intercom with relay. Relay activates with username and password authentication. I can activate the relay http://admin:a1234567@192.168.1.111/cgi-bin/accessControl.cgi?action=openDoor&channel=1&UserID=101&Type=Remote

      As you can see intercom username admin and password is a1234567 I build a scene with luup code luup.inet.wget( "http://admin:a1234567@192.168.1.111/cgi-bin/accessControl.cgi?action=openDoor&channel=1&UserID=101&Type=Remote" ) But can not activate relay. Is there any idea?

      General Discussion
    • Vera Secure usage without mios

      D

      Hi to all, I have a bricked vera secure that is replaced with new one. Old vera secure serial numbers are deleted from vera servers so I cannot use it. Vera secure's are orginally Sercomm's NA502 model devices. Recently I install openwrt to the old vera secure unit without problem. Is there any way to use it any automation system with internal z-wave. I install domoticz but I cannot setup internal z-wave unit, it only accept usb zwave radios. Is there any ideas?

      General Discussion
    • An electricians or wiring experts here?

      cw-kid

      I ordered a Fibaro Dimmer 2 and Bypass device for my upstairs landing / hallway lights.

      I have 2 light switches one at the bottom of the stairs and another one upstairs on the landing.

      But I am struggling to make sense of my current wiring, more details / photos on the Vera forum.

      Jan 27 Anyone good at electrical wiring for light switches? Anyone good at electrical wiring for light switches?

      Hi I ordered a Fibaro Dimmer 2 and Bypass device for my upstairs landing / hallway lights. I have 2 light switches one at the bottom of the stairs and another one upstairs on the landing. I have no neutral wires in the house behind the light switches. These are photos of the light switch...

      Thanks

      General Discussion
    • Looking for ideas on how to implement an automation.

      R

      Hello,
      Looking to all the dev's and tinkerers on this community for ideas on how to implement a solution to my problem. Kind of a long intro, sorry.

      Problem statement:
      I have a geothermal heat pump that has a loop that is slightly undersized. During the cold weather months in the Pacific Northwest (one or two months of the year), the loop can get below 32 degrees. If it goes on for a few days, it can generate significant frost heaving in my yard and under the flagstone deck, Actually fixing the issue is cost prohibitive.

      Current mitigation:
      I have DS18B20 tied into Home Assistant and monitoring the temp of the fluid coming out of the loop and if it drops below 35 degrees, MSR triggers a Fibaro Implant to add a resister into the external temp circuit and fool the Venstar to think the outside temp is below 32 degrees and issue a Heat Pump lockout and switch to AUX heat. While this is working fine and the AUX heat is only coming on once or twice a day, I would like to simplify the setup so it runs on something other than HA and MSR. I think they are overkill for my issue. Also want this to be independent of anything else in the house so it can stay behind if I am not around to maintain.

      I only have two inputs and one output:
      Inputs: Loop temp, Furnace running
      Outputs: Switch relay to drop resistance to external thermostat connection on thermostat.
      Logic is super simple:
      If temp is below 36 degrees and furnace is running, turn on relay
      If furnace stops, turn off relay.
      I am sure even I can figure that out on Python.

      Trying to determine the best platform for a set it and forget it black box that works with as close to zero maintenance as possible.

      Options I have thought of are:

      Pi zero with a GPIO controlled relay ESPHome (Not very knowledgeable about that platform, but willing to explore) Arduino Anything anyone else suggests

      Any ideas are appreciated.

      General Discussion
    • Is Hubitat to HA Bridge possible?

      D

      Greetings,

      I’m researching a migration from Vera+ to Hubitat C7 and want to know if anyone has successfully connected the Hubitat to the “HA Bridge” for local Alexia calls.
      The HA Bridge does not callout Hubitat natively from what I see.

      Thanks for your assistance.

      General Discussion
    • New Developer - What I should know/do ? (Vera/OpenLuup)

      parkerc

      Hi all

      Having some time off i’ve been able to invest a chunk in creating some plug-ins for Vera/OpenLuup, and will do what I can to post them in GitHub and add links on the Vera Community and here, for anyone who is interested.

      But, being knew to any of this, I wanted to ask for any guidance on how and when I should share stuff ? How best do I share it ? Am I liable for anything I share? Is GitHub the best place ? What licenses should I associate with them ?

      The latter is a strange one, as I don’t see how I can have any claim over the content/code itself, as I’ve learnt and leveraged so much from others..

      To get the ball rolling I posted this on the ezlo/Vera site..

      Jan 4 Luup Plugin - Energenie PMS LAN Switch Luup Plugin - Energenie PMS LAN Switch

      Hi To ensure I give back to this community, which has been educating me in all things Lua and Luup over the years (12+) I wanted to share some of the plugins I’ve built recently to see if any are of use/interest to others. The first one is for the Energenie PMS LAN Switch where I have built two...

      General Discussion
    • New to Smart Home

      M

      Hey guys,

      I just registered here in the forum and honestly… I’m new to the whole topic. I‘m a web developer, so I‘ve quite a bit experience with java, js, sql and so on. But that may not help a lot in this new field.

      I‘m looking forward to develop my own smart home device and I‘m looking for starting point. In General the specs are like:

      The device should work with WiFi, I want to integrate it into my network I want to write an own app to control it, it may find the device in my network I want the device to be offline usable, if possible (without internet connection) I want the device to broadcast information in my network like „water is empty“, so I can use push messaging in the App it should be ready to as well work with Alexa or Apple Home Kit or Google Assistant as I Plan to develop a skill for them.

      Can someone provide me with some information I could start with? Like - are there microcontrollers I could go with or is it to complex and I need a raspy? Which frameworks / languages / libs could I use? I know how to do the things on the app side but not on the device side.

      General Discussion
    • Amazon Alexa hosts

      CatmanV2

      Vainly trying to get to the bottom of the 10 - 15 second delay for TTS with the Alexa plugin (still) anyone have a list of the possible Alexa hosts? Just wonder if the one I have (layla.amazon.co.uk) could just be slow.

      Any thoughts?

      C

      General Discussion
    • Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays

      toggledbits

      Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays, if that's your preferred salutation, or...?), and also a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year 2022.

      General Discussion
    • Very newbie man looking for help

      P

      Hello. First, excuse my english, please. I bought a Vera Edge looking for some way to make a digital ambient thermostat that I could manage remotely without a phone home from the device side. I am very disappointed with that device because all the "official" help of the brand goes in the way of to sign in an account and work with their cloud. I have some computer, network and linux knowledge but all my tests with the hub and a Qubino Flush 1D Relay has been unsuccessful. I connected both and I got to make some basic functions but I see myself very far to get my target. This is my last try to get something before I log in an account in getvera.com and look if I can make some progress in my project following that way.

      Can somebody tell me some place where I can learn the basic concepts of this system? Guides, books, videos... Whatever it can help me in my project.

      Thank you.

      General Discussion
    • Help please with Node-Red "Lost connection to server"

      cw-kid

      Node-Red on my Linux Debian box seems to be having issues now. It keeps saying repeatedly "Lost connection to server, reconnecting..." in the web browser.

      I recently updated nodejs for MSR, I wonder if that might be related:

      "Bump recommended nodejs version to 16.13.0; versions 14 and 15 will continue to be supported through March 31, 2022"

      Nodejs version = v16.13.1

      I have tried updating Node-Red that is now version v2.1.4

      I also updated npm to version v8.2.0

      I am not sure how or where to look at the log file for node red?

      This is the contents of the nodered.service file in this directory:
      /etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants

      # systemd service file to start Node-RED [Unit] Description=Node-RED graphical event wiring tool Wants=network.target Documentation=http://nodered.org/docs/hardware/raspberrypi.html [Service] Type=simple # Run as normal pi user - change to the user name you wish to run Node-RED as User=stuart Group=stuart WorkingDirectory=/home/stuart Environment="NODE_OPTIONS=--max_old_space_size=1024" # uncomment and edit next line if you need an http proxy #Environment="HTTP_PROXY=my.httpproxy.server.address" # uncomment the next line for a more verbose log output #Environment="NODE_RED_OPTIONS=-v" # uncomment next line if you need to wait for time sync before starting #ExecStartPre=/bin/bash -c '/bin/journalctl -b -u systemd-timesyncd | /bin/grep -q "systemd-timesyncd.* Synchronized to time server"' ExecStart=/usr/bin/env node-red-pi $NODE_OPTIONS $NODE_RED_OPTIONS #ExecStart=/usr/bin/env node $NODE_OPTIONS red.js $NODE_RED_OPTIONS # Use SIGINT to stop KillSignal=SIGINT # Auto restart on crash Restart=on-failure RestartSec=20 # Tag things in the log SyslogIdentifier=Node-RED #StandardOutput=syslog [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target

      Thanks

      General Discussion
    • Goodbye Brothers in crime!

      S

      Hi @ll, last days I migrated my last zwave device from Vera to zwave js in homeassistant. Out of 150 devices 1 did not go well initially but reinterviewing did it directly. Most work was to find the ex and inclusion procedure, 3 times, click, clack, whatever. I must admit that Vera is Lighting fast!!!!! With only 3 devices left, those were my under the floor switches I had to do last.

      Now I am totally gone from Vera, altui, luup, etc. There's nothing more left for me on this forum. And since it was one of my "routine sites" reading I will save a few minutes a day skipping it.

      I thank you all for all the kind help, warm words and laughter about the ezlo flop :-).

      I hooe you all will be safe and healthy and whish you all the best!

      I will stay on the homeassistant forum.

      Goodbye!

      General Discussion
    • Re-number on OpenLuup

      CatmanV2

      Morning all. Hope all are well. Been a bit of a trying time here, but nothing we can't deal with....
      .....apart from this!

      My coffee grinder went punk yesterday (wasn't even being used) and took out the main breakers. Once it was isolated I got everything back on line, except on TKB smart plug which was in the same double socket as the grinder.

      OpenLuup claims it's failed. Z-wave server can't see it but it responds to the button pushes physically as I'd expect. (i.e. the socket turns on and off, and the LED flashes to indicate it's in inclusion / exclusion mode)

      My plan is to see if I can exclude it then re-include it in z-wave server. If that doesn't work then I'll bin it, but if it does work can I then re-number it to match the original device ID and not have to trawl through my reactors? Any chance?
      TIA

      C

      General Discussion
    • Would you use a self-hosted geofencing solution?

      toggledbits

      Some of you may know that I took at shot at building an alternate geofencing solution for Vera. The core of it was system agnostic, using the OwnTracks application and AWS lambdas to track devices and keep a central data, then disseminate that to the Vera via a websocket-based plugin. It worked with other apps as well, including Tasker and GPSLogger, but of the dozen people that were testing it, most used OwnTracks.

      A lot was learned in the process, not the least of which is that the success of any such solution is highly dependent on the phone and its settings. Phone manufacturers love to set things up for the longest battery life, of course, but that's usually very anti-geofencing behavior. In the case of at least one brand, it was unusable and the settings could not be modified. It was also cost-prohibitive to maintain on Amazon, as AWS grabs a dime here and a dollar there and before you know it, it added $100/month to my AWS bill, which my wife deducted from my Scotch budget. Unacceptable.

      But it's quite reasonable to use OwnTracks to a local endpoint, and I could pretty easily replicate the functionality as a local application, or maybe even as an additional endpoint built into MSR's API (still separate port and process, but in the package).

      So the question really is... would you do it, or would you be too concerned about the security risks associated (e.g., dynamic DNS and NAT mapping in the firewall necessary for the phone to contact the service when not on LAN)?

      General Discussion
    • "kinda smart" switch to put behind a normal light switch

      H

      Hello!

      I want to trigger an event (like switching on a smart Zigbee power plug) when a regular light switch (that switches regular non-smart LED light bulbs) is flipped. Is there something I can put behind a light switch to achieve this? Or something to splice in between the switch and the light bulbs? A good option would also be Hue compatible.

      Thank you!

      General Discussion
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    Z-Wave Plus (ZWP) & Z-Wave Long Range (ZLR)

    General Discussion
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    • Black Cat
      Black Cat last edited by

      I've only recently read that ZLR is not a mesh network, below is quoted from Dr Zwave, which I found interesting and opens up a range of questions. I had assumed that ZLR was similar to ZWP, but it isn't.

      Z-Wave Long Range supports FLiRS types of devices but it doesn't support Associations. Z-Wave Long Range is a star network so all communication has to go thru the hub. Then the hub forwards the message on to the FLiRS device after Beaming to wake it up. There is no way for a Long Range end device to send a frame to another end device, it has to go thru the controller.

      I found it interesting that Associations have been given the 'flick'

      My question is regarding the compatibility of ZWP & ZLR in the same network.
      From my understanding ZLR devices can't communicate directly with ZWP devices, this could get interesting as it seems to indicate that there is no backward compatibility.
      Perhaps Z-Wave has abandoned Mesh networks and is working towards simpler systems?
      Any thoughts?

      aka Zedrally

      rafale77 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • rafale77
        rafale77 @Black Cat last edited by

        @black-cat

        This is quite confusing.... From this announcement, it is supposed to be backward compatible.
        I note the Beaverton, OR location which is beyond local to me... it is a stone throw away from where I am.

        But then this article clearly states exactly what you spoke about.

        Then the engineer in me starts frowning. The way I read this new spec is: range is increased by the RF TX power of the device. A major no-no. why? Because it means much more cross network interference, device detectability (security anyone) and less efficient air-time. It does have a dynamic PHY power to make up for this but I would still be very uncomfortable with it and the use cases for which this would be beneficial would be very limited (to be nice... most likely none). I can imagine an edge device from my neighbor having to beam at full power, overshadowing all my devices causing all kinds of disruptions. One main benefit of the mesh concept is that each device range is very limited and therefore will not interfere with others. Certainly extending the RF range of my devices by jacking up the PHY output power is not a anything I am looking for. If it was improving the RX sensitivity I would be all in.
        On the other hand the star network simplifies the routing of course and reduces the need for repeating signals and potentially free up air time but it breaks route redundancy and as I said, the power will increase interference within the network and cross networks. Not a fan...

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Black Cat
          Black Cat last edited by

          Associations are not possible with ZLR, it all makes sense to me now.
          I was recently contacted by a manufacturer who supplies us with Z-wave Plus Dimmers, the GEN 5 has Associations, which is useful in grouping dimmers and works extremely well.
          After reading the product spec's I couldn't find any information on Association Groups in the G7 and voiced my concerns to the manufacturer.
          Now I know why, GEN 7 doesn't support mesh, so much for backward capabilities, EZLO's new hub is useless unless you role out a new and different Z-wave system.
          I'm now wondering why I'm even bothering with Z-wave and why not just go for Zigbee and WiFi.......

          aka Zedrally

          therealdb 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • therealdb
            therealdb @Black Cat last edited by therealdb

            @black-cat said in Z-Wave Plus (ZWP) & Z-Wave Long Range (ZLR):

            Now I know why, GEN 7 doesn't support mesh, so much for backward capabilities, EZLO's new hub is useless unless you role out a new and different Z-wave system

            If that’s true I know understand why they want to use multiple controllers together. No mesh means that large properties will not be easily supported. I’ve placed my unit centrally, but some nodes are not directly reachable and the mesh is doing its job.

            --
            Vera+MQTT+HomeAssistant+my own framework all orchestrated via MSR
            70+ Zwave Devices, a bunch of ZigBee light strips and a lot of code

            My Luup Plug-ins => https://github.com/dbochicchio/vera

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • rafale77
              rafale77 last edited by

              The more I think about it and the more horrified I am by this "long range" approach. I see the benefit of eliminating the whole routing and topology management but this is coming at the cost of humongous increase in noise and likely degradation in reliability due to lack of redundancy of edge device signals and difficult management of packet collisions. As I said in my previous post, it makes also the devices more detectable from longer range which makes your network easier to hack. I will write a note to the alliance... One of the key benefits of z-wave for me was its low range. Jacking up the TX power from -1dB to up to +30dB is not a feature I want to see. For those who play with their wifi network, they should also know that optimizing one's wifi is to try to lower the TX power as much as possible in order to increase bandwidth. It is to avoid the cacophony of multiple devices screaming at the controller with megaphones at the same time.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • rafale77
                rafale77 last edited by

                More on this from the hubitat forum:

                Jan 14, 2021

                Hubitat and Z-Wave Long Range

                Hubitat and Z-Wave Long Range

                We were going to save this for a surprise but our community sleuths have put 2+2 together. As many of you may know, Z-Wave Alliance recently announced the release of Z-Wave Long Range, which will open new opportunities for the Z-Wave protocol. I am happy to announce that we designed Hubitat...

                Apparently it occupies a different channel so that's how the compatibility is retained. There are some marginal cases with devices being out of range where this could be helpful but all in all, I still think it is a horrible idea for most installations. Granted it simplifies some setup from not having to keep track of mesh routing or for example being able to include from a different location than the final location where the device will be but, at least from my observations, interferences and air time are the top source of reliability and latency, especially on a large network and freeing up the controller's air time is key to improving reliability. Long range would do the opposite. It is however for now not meant to convert the entire network but only an additional option.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Black Cat
                  Black Cat last edited by

                  Thanks for the link, it makes interesting reading.

                  I'm hoping that the best option is that we can choose to use either ZLR or ZWP rather than being forced into a upgrade.

                  aka Zedrally

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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