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Discussion Forum to share and further the development of home control and automation, independent of platforms.
CatmanV2C

CatmanV2

@CatmanV2
Disaster recovery and virtualisation
CatmanV2C

Following on from my last thread, some progress has been made over the weekend.

With 18G of spanky RAM in my Synology DS224+. I've jumped into the murky world of virtualisation and already eliminated the need for two Raspberry Pi's from my system.

Home Assistant: In theory they provide an OVA file which is supported by the Synology. I couldn't get it to work, however, so grabbed a copy of the .img file they supply, renamed it .iso and imported it as a VM. Restored from my full back up and that all seems fantastic.

Minidnla Music server: Trivial. Grabbed a Debian .iso for Bookworm and copied that onto the NAS. Created a new machine which mirrored the specs of the Raspberry Pi, booted from the ISO then did an expert install. Once that was all stable with a basic core of stuff and networking, I've made a copy of that as a good base system. Then fired up minidnla on it, mounted my media and that's also woking. Not bad for a short weekend's work.

Still not sure about the main NUC though. I'm thinking of buying a new USB stick so I can mess around getting it working on the Synology before I do anything drastic.

Once that hurdle is sorted I'm torn between:

Using a brand new install of Bookworm, re-installing Z-way server, OpenLuup, AltUI, MSR and HA bridge, then restoring across or Making an ISO of the current system, importing that and upgrading in place (which will be pretty risk free since I can snapshot everything before I make any changes.)

Decisions, decisions.

C

General Discussion
Remote access of Zwave stick from Z-wave server
CatmanV2C

Afternoon, all.

In my continued attempts to virtualise my system, I'm in the last (I hope throes)

I don't fancy relying on Synology not to break more USB activities, so decided to set up ser2net on a Raspberry pi and plug in a spare Z-wave.me stick

So on the Raspberry pi: ser2net. yaml

catman@Zwave:/etc $ cat ser2net.yaml %YAML 1.1 --- # This is a ser2net configuration file, tailored to be rather # simple. # # Find detailed documentation in ser2net.yaml(5) # A fully featured configuration file is in # /usr/share/doc/ser2net/examples/ser2net.yaml.gz # # If you find your configuration more useful than this very simple # one, please submit it as a bugreport define: &banner \r\nser2net port \p device \d [\B] (Debian GNU/Linux)\r\n\r\n connection: &zwave0 # Bind to TCP port accepter: tcp,4000 enable: on options: kickolduser: true # Ensure mDNS is disabled mdns: false connector: serialdev, /dev/ttyACM0,115200N81,nobreak,local

And if I telnet to it from anywhere:

catman@ChrisMBP15-2018 ~ % telnet 192.168.70.128 4000 Trying 192.168.70.128... Connected to 192.168.70.128. Escape character is '^]'.

Which makes me think that ser2net is doing its thing.

Now in my virtualised Z-wave server I have this:

Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.36.52.png

(I've tried with a colon and a space between the ip and the port)

The result:

An unexpected error occurred during loading data. Try to reload the page. Please check 1.) if the controller is plugged in correctly, 2.) that in the app 'Z-Wave Network Access' the right port is entered (UZB: '/dev/ttyACM0', RaZberry shield: '/dev/ttyAMA0', UZB-Windows: '\\.\COM3', Z-Stick: '/dev/ttyUSB0', embedded boxes: '/dev/ttyS0' or '/dev/ttyS1') 3.) the app is aktiv. If not you could activate it under Menu > Apps > Active or add a new one under Menu > Apps > Local. The Setting 'Expert View' needs to be active under Menu > My Settings.

Any pointers as to what I'm doing wrong?

TIA!

C

Software
Organizing/ structuring rule sets and rules
R

Hi guys,

Just wondering how you guys organize your rule sets and rules. I wish I had an extra layer to have some more granularity, but my feature request was not popular.

Maybe there are better ways to organize my rule sets.

I use the rule sets now primarily for rooms. So a rule set per room. But maybe grouping by functionality works better. Any examples/ suggestions would be appreciated.

Multi-System Reactor
Moving MSR from a QNAP container to RP 5 - some issues
Tom_DT

I have installed MSR on a RP5 bare metal and then copied the config and store files. Everything seems to be on the RP5 but I am missing all global expression and I don't see the controller time.

Screenshot 2025-04-06 201446.png

My browser is Microsoft Edge Version 135.0.3179.54 (Official build) (64-bit)

I have probably done something stupid or missed a step but I am stuck.

Thanks for any help.

Multi-System Reactor
Widget deletion does not work and landing page (status) is empy
M

Hi,
It seems that the widget deletion does not work. I tried to drag the widget to the left (as explained in here https://smarthome.community/topic/1071/deleting-widgets?_=1744037333660)
but it does not delete it. Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Also the landing page after login is empty and seems be have some JS issues on the dev console:

Screenshot from 2025-04-07 18-06-19.png

fd7f0424-debb-49d3-86d8-9a3b09ad3868-image.png

Using dockerized version of Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25082-3c348de6 on Chromium 135.0.7049.52 (Official Build) snap (64-bit)

br,
mgvra

Multi-System Reactor
Need help reducing false positive notifications
T

Good day all,
I have an notification set up for my washing machine to let me know when it's complete. I have a templete sensor set up in HAAS to let me know if it's Washing, in Standby, or off, based upon the power consumption (Shelly 1PM on outlets)

- name: "Washing Machine" state: > {% if states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float == 0 %} Off {% elif states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float <= 2.9 %} Standby {% else %} Washing {% endif %} icon: > {% if states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power") == "off" %} mdi:washing-machine-alert {% elif states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float <= 2.9 %} mdi:washing-machine-off {% else %} mdi:washing-machine {% endif %} minutes: 2

The MSR code is relatively simple. I have a built in false positive attribute for if MSR gets rebooted, because I would suddenly get tons of notifications when I upgraded MSR.

6774565a-06cc-443f-99c1-e71301b33d83-image.png

What I'm trying to introduce, is a way to verify that I just didn't bump the knob on the washing machine when transferring loads from the washer to the dryer, which turns on the display and brings the power above the Standby threshold.

The power goes up to 3.7W for about 4 minutes if the selector knob is bumped/turned.

What would the best way to do this be? I have most of my MSR code set up for a couple of years now, and my coding logic is struggling a bit.

I think I need a power threshold to be substained for a minimum time period (say 2 or 3 minutes, above 10W), before the other triggers can act. What would the best way to do that be?

Running: latest-25082-3c348de6
Fedora 41 Server
HAAS:
Core
2025.3.4
Supervisor
2025.03.4
Operating System
15.1
Frontend
20250306.0

Multi-System Reactor
Reactor (Multi-System/Multi-Hub) Announcements
toggledbitsT

Build 21228 has been released. Docker images available from DockerHub as usual, and bare-metal packages here.

Home Assistant up to version 2021.8.6 supported; the online version of the manual will now state the current supported versions; Fix an error in OWMWeatherController that could cause it to stop updating; Unify the approach to entity filtering on all hub interface classes (controllers); this works for device entities only; it may be extended to other entities later; Improve error detail in messages for EzloController during auth phase; Add isRuleSet() and isRuleEnabled() functions to expressions extensions; Implement set action for lock and passage capabilities (makes them more easily scriptable in some cases); Fix a place in the UI where 24-hour time was not being displayed.
Multi-System Reactor
Deleting widgets
tunnusT

Hopefully a trivial question, but how do you delete widgets in a status page? Using build 22266

Multi-System Reactor
MQTT configuration question
tunnusT

I have the following yaml configuration in local_mqtt_devices file

x_mqtt_device: set_speed: arguments: speed: type: str topic: "command/%friendly_name%" payload: type: json expr: '{ "fan": parameters.speed }'

While this works fine, I'm wondering how this could be changed to "fixed" parameters, as in this case "fan" only accepts "A", "Q" or a numeric value of 1-5?

Multi-System Reactor
System Configuration Check - time is offset
F

Hi!

I get this message when I'm on the status tab:

System Configuration Check
The time on this system and on the Reactor host are significantly different. This may be due to incorrect system configuration on either or both. Please check the configuration of both systems. The host reports 2025-04-01T15:29:29.252Z; browser reports 2025-04-01T15:29:40.528Z; difference 11.276 seconds.

I have MSR installed as a docker on my Home Assistant Blue / Hardkernel ODROID-N2/N2+. MSR version is latest-25082-3c348de6.
HA versions are:
Core 2025.3.4
Supervisor 2025.03.4
Operating System 15.1

I have restarted HA as well as MSR multiple times. This message didn´t show two weeks ago. Don´t know if it have anything to do with the latest MSR version.
Do anyone know what I can try?
Thanks in advance!
Let's Be Careful Out There (Hill Street reference...) 🙂
/Fanan

Multi-System Reactor
Programmatically capture HTTP Request action status code or error
therealdbT

I have a very strange situation, where if InfluxDB restarts, other containers may fail when restarting at the same time (under not easy to understand circumstances), and InfluxDB remains unreachable (and these containers crashes). I need to reboot these containers in an exact order, after rebooting InfluxDB.

While I understand what's going on, I need a way to reliable determine that InfluxDB is not reachable and these containers are not reachable, in order to identify this situation and manually check what's going on - and, maybe, in the future, automatically restart them if needed.

So, I was looking at HTTP Request action, but I need to capture the HTTP response code, instead of the response (becase if ping is OK, InfluxDB will reply with a 204), and, potentially, a way to programmatically detect that it's failing to get the response.

While I could write a custom HTTP controller for this or a custom HTTP virtual device, I was wondering if this is somewhat on you roadmap @toggledbits

Thanks!

Multi-System Reactor
ZwaveJSUI - RGBWW BULB - Warm/Cold White interfered with RGB settings - Bulb doesn't change color if in WarmWhite state.
N

Hi ,
I'm on
-Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25067-62e21a2d
-Docker on Synology NAS
-ZWaveJSUI 9.31.0.6c80945

Problem with ZwaveJSUI:
When I try to change color to a bulb RGBWW, it doesn't change to the RGB color and the bulb remains warm or cold white.
I tryed with Zipato RGBW Bulb V2 RGBWE2, Hank Bulb HKZW-RGB01, Aentec 6 A-ZWA002, so seems that it happens with all RGBWW bulb with reactor/zwavejsui.

I'm using from reator the entity action: "rgb_color.set" and "rgb_color.set_rgb".
After I send the reactor command, It changes in zwavejsui the rgb settings but doesn't put the white channel to "0", so the prevalent channel remains warm/cold White and the bulb doesn't change into the rgb color.

This is the status of the bulb in zwavejsui after "rgb_color.set" (235,33,33,) and the bulb is still warmWhite.

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor={"warmWhite":204,"coldWhite":0,"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33}

The "cold white" and "warm white" settings interfer with the rgb color settings.

Reactor can change bulb colors with rgb_color set — (value, ui8, 0x000000 to 0xffffff) or rgb_color set_rgb — (red, green, blue, all ui1, 0 to 255) but if warm or cold white
are not to "0", zwavejsui doesn't change them and I can't find a way to change into rgb or from rgb back to warm white.

So if I use from reactor: rgb_color set_rgb — (235,33,33) in zwavejsui I have

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_targetColor={"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33} 14/03/2025, 16:43:57 - value updated Arg 0: └─commandClassName: Color Switch └─commandClass: 51 └─property: targetColor └─endpoint: 0 └─newValue └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─prevValue └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─propertyName: targetColor 14/03/2025, 16:43:57 - value updated Arg 0: └─commandClassName: Color Switch └─commandClass: 51 └─property: currentColor └─endpoint: 0 └─newValue └──warmWhite: 204 └──coldWhite: 0 └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─prevValue └──warmWhite: 204 └──coldWhite: 0 └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─propertyName: currentColor

In zwavejsui, the bulb changes rgb set but warm White remains to "204" and the bulb remais on warm White channel bacause is prevalent on rgb set.

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_0=204 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_1=0 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_2=235 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_3=33 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_4=33

Is it possible to targetColor also for "warmWhite" and "coldWhite" and have something similar to this?

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_targetColor={"warmWhite":0,"coldWhite":0,"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33}

Thanks in advance.

Multi-System Reactor
Problem with simultaneous notifications.
T

Good day all,
I have a reaction set up, that I use for both troubleshooting and changing home modes when one of my family members either arrive or are leaving. I use the companion app for HAAS on our iPhones, and HAAS reports if the person associated with the iPhone enters or leaves the geofenced area around my home. I'm sure most MSR and HAAS users are familiar with this.

I use this rule set mainly as a condition for other rules, however, as part of troubleshooting, a notification is sent through HAAS to the companion app when the rule becomes true. The problem is that I'm getting notifications now for both arriving and departing simultaneously.

96b3f7db-ba09-499e-a78c-86903b603857-image.png

36903cdd-a87f-473b-82ef-af9ef96d3c44-image.png It used to work fine as intended. I'm not sure exactly when it changed, but now I'm getting two notifications when either of these conditions change.

Any idea what could be happening?

Edit:
Running: latest-25082-3c348de6, bare-metal Linux
ZWaveJSControllerr [0.1.25082]

Multi-System Reactor
Problem after upgrading to 25067
R

MSR had been running fine, but I decided to follow the message to upgrade to 25067. Since the upgrade, I have received the message "Controller "<name>" (HubitatController hubitat2) could not be loaded at startup. Its ID is not unique." MSR throws the message on every restart. Has anyone else encountered this problem?
I am running MSR on a Raspberry Pi4 connecting to two Hubitat units over an OpenVPN tunnel. One C8 and a C8 Pro. Both are up-to-date. It appears that despite the error message that MSR may be operating properly.

Multi-System Reactor
Global expressions not always evaluated
tunnusT

Similarly as for local expressions, global expressions evaluate and update fine when getEntity(...) structure is used. However, at least when certain functions are in use, expressions do not update.

Consider the following test case:

Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 16.29.42.png

Even though auto-evaluation is active, value does not change (it changes only if that expression is manually run). MSR restarts do not help.

Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 16.31.43.png

Note: Tested using build 25067 on Docker. I have also a PR open (but couldn't now get details or PR number as my Mantis account was somehow expired?).

Multi-System Reactor
[Solved] Local expression evaluation
V

Trying to understand what cause a local expresssion to be evaluated. I have read the manual but I am still not clear about it. Using the test rule below, I can see in the log that the rule is being automatically evaluated every time the temperature entity is changing. That is great...

What I am trying to understand is why the expression is not evaluated based on time as well since the "case" statement has time dependencies.

Any help would be appreciated

I have the following test rule:

eba6a3ea-ff61-4610-88c9-9b9864f11ff8-Screenshot 2025-01-21 095244.png

2d9c1ff5-7b73-4005-b324-9029c2709db9-Screenshot 2025-01-21 095302.png

Here is the expressioncode:

vFrom1 = "09:25:00", vFrom2 = "09:30:00", vFrom3 = "09:41:00", vTo = "10:55:00", # Get current time (format HH:MM:SS) vToDay = strftime("%H:%M:%S"), #Get current house temperature CurrentHouseTemp = getEntity( "hass>Thermostat2 " ).attributes.temperature_sensor.value, case when CurrentHouseTemp <= 19 and vToDay >= vFrom1 && vToDay <= vTo: "true1" # From1 when CurrentHouseTemp <= 20 and vToDay >= vFrom2 && vToDay <= vTo: "true2" # From2 when CurrentHouseTemp < 26  and vToDay >= vFrom3 && vToDay <= vTo: "true3" # From3 else "false" end
Multi-System Reactor
[Solved] Runtime error when exiting global reaction that contains a group
S

I am getting a Runtime error on different browsers when I click exit when editing an existing or creating a new global reaction containing a group. If the global reaction does not have a group I don't get an error. I see a similar post on the forum about a Runtime Error when creating reactions but started a new thread as that appears to be solved.

The Runtime Error is different in the two browsers
Safari v18.3

@http://192.168.10.21:8111/reactor/en-US/lib/js/reaction-list.js:171:44 You may report this error, but do not screen shot it. Copy-paste the complete text. Remember to include a description of the operation you were performing in as much detail as possible. Report using the Reactor Bug Tracker (in your left navigation) or at the SmartHome Community.

Google Chrome 133.0.6943.142

TypeError: self.editor.isModified is not a function at HTMLButtonElement.<anonymous> (http://192.168.10.21:8111/reactor/en-US/lib/js/reaction-list.js:171:34) You may report this error, but do not screen shot it. Copy-paste the complete text. Remember to include a description of the operation you were performing in as much detail as possible. Report using the Reactor Bug Tracker (in your left navigation) or at the SmartHome Community.

Steps to reproduce:
Click the pencil to edit a global reaction with a group.
Click the Exit button.
Runtime error appears.
or
Click Create Reaction
Click Add Action
Select Group
Add Condition such as Entity Attribute.
Add an Action.
Click Save
Click Exit
Runtime error appears.

I don’t know how long the error has been there as I haven’t edited the global reaction in a long time.

Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25060-f32eaa46
Docker
Mac OS: 15.3.1
Thanks

Multi-System Reactor
Cannot delete Global Expressions
SnowmanS

I am trying to delete a global expression (gLightDelay) but for some strange reason, it comes back despite clicking the Delete this expression and Save Changes buttons.

I have not created a global expression for some times and just noticed this while doing some clean-up.

I have upgraded Reactor to 25067 from 25060 and the behaviour is still there. I have restarted Reactor (as well as restarting its container) and cleared the browser's cache several times without success.

Here's what the log shows.

[latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:22.690Z <wsapi:INFO> [WSAPI]wsapi#1 rpc_echo [Object]{ "comment": "UI activity" } [latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:26.254Z <GlobalExpression:NOTICE> Deleting global expression gLightDelay [latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:27.887Z <wsapi:INFO> [WSAPI]wsapi#1 rpc_echo [Object]{ "comment": "UI activity" }

Reactor latest-25067-62e21a2d
Docker on Synology NAS

Multi-System Reactor
Advice on Storing and Backing Up Bind Mounts - Docker
PablaP

Hello all, after seeing Catman's posts about their disaster recovery and move to Docker I took that as a sign to migrate everything (aside from HA) to Docker. After a small learning curve I had Docker+Portainer up and running in a few days.

Instead of using named Volumes I opted to use Bind Mounts so I can easily edit conf files and any other file needed. I do understand the nuances that come with bind mounts, such as migration to a different host may require changing file structures, the possibility of someone editing the bind mount files and permissions but to me those aren't too big of a deal.

My question is what is the best way to keep a back up of these bind mounts? I currently have them stored in the /etc directory in another directory named on a per container basis. I was thinking to move it all to a /home/user/docker/ directory so that I can use a simple cp command to my mounted SMB share to backup all the container data files. Anyone else do it differently?

Side note: I finally got to flex the benefits of Docker with updating Reactor.. it was dead simple. I had no idea what I was missing out on lol!

Software
Local notification methods?
CatmanV2C

Morning, experts. Hard on learning about the internet check script in MSR tools, I was wondering what suggestions anyone has about a local (i.e. non-internet dependent) notification method.

This was prompted by yesterday's fun and games with my ISP.

I've got the script Cronned and working properly but short of flashing a light on and off, I'm struggling to think of a way of alerting me (ideally to my phone)

I guess I could set up a Discord server at home, but that feels like overkill for a rare occasion. Any other suggestions?

TIA

C

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Recent Best Controversial

  • Disaster recovery and virtualisation
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Well after much trepidation, and some additional work, I think we are complete.

    After the successful virtualisation of my Home Assistant and Music Server hosts, and a successful POC of the main Vera / MQTT / MSR / everything else box I did some testing with a spare UZB stick to make sure I could connect it to the virtual host.

    With a long weekend ahead to solve any issues, this morning I bit the bullet and shut down the hardware device, moved the production UZB stick over to the NAS and spun up the VM.

    It was not entirely smooth as for some reason Z-way-server was saying it wasn't connected and AltUI claimed an authentication issue, but with some judicious restarts and testing, everything that I can think of to test now works!

    Some of the Z-wave commands from remote controls are a little slow, oddly, but I suspect the network needs to sort itself out as it's nearly two months 'old' Direct control from web interfaces / voice commands seems fine so I'm not overly worried.

    So, barring any unforseen failures, I have a fully virtualised system. Better even, when reading about the Synology range, I decided to source an older unit as a backup cluster device so I have some serious resilience 🙂

    Thanks for all the support an input!

    C


  • Remote access of Zwave stick from Z-wave server
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    For anyone coming on this later, you can't specify ip / port in Z-way server. You need to run socat on the z-way server host as specced here:
    https://forum.z-wave.me/viewtopic.php?f=3417&t=32593&p=83558&hilit=socat#p83558

    If you're using ser2net you shouldn't need to use socat on the host that's serving the stick

    C


  • Remote access of Zwave stick from Z-wave server
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Although if I plug my spare stick into the Synology and map it to the VM, it picks it up instantly anyway!

    C


  • Remote access of Zwave stick from Z-wave server
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Afternoon, all.

    In my continued attempts to virtualise my system, I'm in the last (I hope throes)

    I don't fancy relying on Synology not to break more USB activities, so decided to set up ser2net on a Raspberry pi and plug in a spare Z-wave.me stick

    So on the Raspberry pi: ser2net. yaml

    catman@Zwave:/etc $ cat ser2net.yaml
    %YAML 1.1
    ---
    # This is a ser2net configuration file, tailored to be rather
    # simple.
    #
    # Find detailed documentation in ser2net.yaml(5)
    # A fully featured configuration file is in
    # /usr/share/doc/ser2net/examples/ser2net.yaml.gz
    # 
    # If you find your configuration more useful than this very simple
    # one, please submit it as a bugreport
    
    define: &banner \r\nser2net port \p device \d [\B] (Debian GNU/Linux)\r\n\r\n
    
    connection: &zwave0
        # Bind to TCP port
        accepter: tcp,4000
        enable: on
        options:
            kickolduser: true
            # Ensure mDNS is disabled
            mdns: false
        connector: serialdev, /dev/ttyACM0,115200N81,nobreak,local
    

    And if I telnet to it from anywhere:

    catman@ChrisMBP15-2018 ~ % telnet 192.168.70.128 4000
    Trying 192.168.70.128...
    Connected to 192.168.70.128.
    Escape character is '^]'.
    
    

    Which makes me think that ser2net is doing its thing.

    Now in my virtualised Z-wave server I have this:

    Screenshot 2025-04-10 at 17.36.52.png

    (I've tried with a colon and a space between the ip and the port)

    The result:

    An unexpected error occurred during loading data. Try to reload the page.
    Please check
    1.) if the controller is plugged in correctly,
    2.) that in the app 'Z-Wave Network Access' the right port is entered
    (UZB: '/dev/ttyACM0', RaZberry shield: '/dev/ttyAMA0', UZB-Windows: '\\.\COM3', Z-Stick: '/dev/ttyUSB0', embedded boxes: '/dev/ttyS0' or '/dev/ttyS1')
    3.) the app is aktiv. If not you could activate it under Menu > Apps > Active or add a new one under Menu > Apps > Local.
    The Setting 'Expert View' needs to be active under Menu > My Settings.
    

    Any pointers as to what I'm doing wrong?

    TIA!

    C


  • Disaster recovery and virtualisation
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Thanks. I've got a new 6TB drive coming in a couple of days (I tried an enterprise level disc I had snagged from the office on an off chance, and it was fine) so I've got a 50% uplift on my storage. The two VMs that are running are noticeably snappier on VMs than on Pis, which is nice. Particularly when browsing 9k music tracks, which now takes a couple of seconds rather than the Pi's 20ish

    Once the drive upgrade is in place, I'm not quite sure where to go next. Just bite the bullet and try and connect the Zway stick straight into the VM. Try it with a new Zway stick for experimentation, or do something else.

    I'm far more comfortable now, though. I have snapshots and OVA images and everything!

    C


  • Disaster recovery and virtualisation
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    After a few false starts, some significant progress:

    1. Shut down the NUC
    2. Insert bootable USB (in my case I went for Debian)
    3. Insert USB mounted hard drive
    4. Connect monitor, keyboard, mouse
    5. Boot into USB
    6. Open terminal
    7. Confirm your drives (IMPORTANT)
    8. dd if=/dev/$original_drive of=/$mountpoint_of_USB_Hardrive/Image.iso
    9. Wait (about 45 minutes for me)

    Now this is where I found things trickier than I was expecting.
    😎 Create a VM in the Synology console, and give it a bootable ISO file to be mounted. I would have used Debian but any graphical interface just wouldn't work. Puppy Debian worked very nicely. Ensure that your virtual disc is larger than the image you created in step 7 above, but leave it empty. I suggest you leave your network disconnected to stop IP conflicts (assuming you have a static IP on your Openluup box)
    Plug your USB hard drive with the ISO image into your Synology and in the USB section of your VM connect to that device (another gotcha, if the adapter is USB3 it won't work under USB2 No idea why)
    9) Boot into Puppy or your preferred distro.
    10) Make sure your ISO file is visible to the OS
    11) Check
    10) Make sure the USB drive is mounted so the OS can see the
    11) Confirm your target drive (less important this time)
    12) dd if=/$USB_hard_drive_mount_point/image.iso of=/dev/$virtual_hard_drive_name
    13) Wait (about 2 hours this time)
    14) Shut down the VM
    15) Edit the VM to remove the bootable USB image (and the USB hard drive if preferred)
    16) Boot the VM
    17) Be a little surprised when it all comes up!
    18) Configure the network to your desires, again avoiding IP conflicts
    19) Edit the VM to connect to the network

    This is where I am. I can see AltUI, MSR, HA bridge on the new VM through a browser. So very very happy at this point!

    C


  • Disaster recovery and virtualisation
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Following on from my last thread, some progress has been made over the weekend.

    With 18G of spanky RAM in my Synology DS224+. I've jumped into the murky world of virtualisation and already eliminated the need for two Raspberry Pi's from my system.

    Home Assistant: In theory they provide an OVA file which is supported by the Synology. I couldn't get it to work, however, so grabbed a copy of the .img file they supply, renamed it .iso and imported it as a VM. Restored from my full back up and that all seems fantastic.

    Minidnla Music server: Trivial. Grabbed a Debian .iso for Bookworm and copied that onto the NAS. Created a new machine which mirrored the specs of the Raspberry Pi, booted from the ISO then did an expert install. Once that was all stable with a basic core of stuff and networking, I've made a copy of that as a good base system. Then fired up minidnla on it, mounted my media and that's also woking. Not bad for a short weekend's work.

    Still not sure about the main NUC though. I'm thinking of buying a new USB stick so I can mess around getting it working on the Synology before I do anything drastic.

    Once that hurdle is sorted I'm torn between:

    1. Using a brand new install of Bookworm, re-installing Z-way server, OpenLuup, AltUI, MSR and HA bridge, then restoring across or
    2. Making an ISO of the current system, importing that and upgrading in place (which will be pretty risk free since I can snapshot everything before I make any changes.)

    Decisions, decisions.

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    OK here's a useful resource:

    The Synology RAM megathread II

    With a linked sheet of all results that people have entered.

    Despite the thread I originally found, no one has got that particular RAM to work on the sheet. There's another Crucial item:
    CCT16G4SFD824A

    Which has 10 reports of working in the 224+

    Return initiated, new RAM arriving tomorrow. £10 more expensive so £35.

    <edit> New RAM in and booted fine. Takes a little longer to come up (I assume it takes a bit longer to check 18G of RAM than 2G 🙂 I think I'll start another thread about how I'm going to do this.

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Hmm, I've just tried a 16G stick that was meant to work from Amazon, Crucial. Won't boot.
    Also an 8G Transcend stick. Also won't boot.

    I'm not missing anything stupid, am I? Power down, remove the drives, clip in the module, re-insert discs and power up?

    Just sits there for > 60 seconds with the blue LED blinking.

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    I found thread that showed Crucial was working. £25. Will report back when I've installed it.

    The discs are insane as well.

    I recall the USB issues. Hmmm.

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    OK got it. I'd still have to migrate from the NUC to some kind of container. A VM might be favourite.

    Still have two questions:

    1. Are all my Z-wave devices paired to the stick i.e. if I move the stick to another devices, will the devices follow?
    2. Can I use the stick on my Synology?

    Any thoughts?

    Cheers

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Well, I just ordered 16G of RAM 🙂

    @therealdb said in RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose):

    I have a NUC that's running Reactor, Home Assistant, ZwaveJS, a couple of other obscure things, and the storage of those container is backupped every hour, day, week and month.

    OK, this is confusing to me. You've got a NUC? But that's running Docker so everything is containerised on the NUC, not the Synology?

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Sort of 'Ohh, if you want to go there, I wouldn't start from here, if I were you' 🙂

    Thinking on I've ordered some more RAM for my Synology. Might start migrating some of the easier stuff onto a virtual machine, as Mosquitto, HA Bridge and so on should be easy.

    C


  • RFC: When disaster strikes (sorry it's a bit verbose)
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Hi everyone. Thanks for all your input recently on the topic of local notifications. I think we got some really interesting solutions 🙂

    Back to more prosaic matters. Most of you will know that I've been messing around with this stuff for some years. My last major change was when I migrated from Vera, which was something like 4-5 years ago.

    While my system has grown, it's not really altered very regularly, although I try to keep most of it kind of up to date.

    Current set up:
    Intel NUC that runs:
    Bare metal install of Debian
    Z-way server with Z-wave.me USB stick
    Openluup
    Altui
    Multi system reactor
    HA Bridge
    Mosquito

    Raspberry Pi
    Running Home Assistant

    About 40 varied Z-wave and Wifi devices

    I also have a Synology DS224+ which may inform some responses.

    Home Assistant recovery is pretty simple. I get a full backup of the system every night dumped onto my SAN and I know from experience that it would simply be a case of booting up a new install and feeding it the backup.

    The NUC on the other hand....
    Coming from a commercial IT world, I am becoming more and more conscious that I don't really feel I have a suitable disaster recovery plan, and my core system is running on hardware heading for 10 years old.

    My initial thought, which I've kept putting off as it's awkward would be to grab a nice SSD, reboot the NUC into Mint or something similar and simply do a dd copy onto a new drive. I can get a replacement NUC on ebay simply enough, and keep it in a cupboard if anything other than the hard drive fails on the existing one, but this feels rather like a stop gap. However one immediate question:

    If I had to use the replacement NUC would all the Z-wave devices simply carry on talking to the stick, or would they all need to be re-paired?

    How easy would it be to move everything the NUC does (as a start) onto the NAS? Create a VM and clone the disc onto it?

    Should I move to Docker? Something else?

    What are the hive mind's thoughts?

    Apologies if we've done this before, but while it all just works...

    Cheers!

    C


  • Local notification methods?
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Niiiice!

    Thanks
    C


  • Local notification methods?
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Interesting, ta. Think I've got an old pi kicking around. OTOH between one Volumio, HA Companion on my phone, and all my Macs talking to me, I think I have enough 😄

    C


  • AltUI sans internet connection
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Only to flick some switches on (or off) I think the only one that might have an issue is the thermostat, but there's a reaction in MSR that handles that, so should be good.

    Thanks!

    C


  • Local notification methods?
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    And another option! OS X has a 'say' command that does, well, exactly what you'd think.

    And it's possible to unmute the output from a command line so ssh to my local macs, run the script and Robert is your father's brother

    C


  • AltUI sans internet connection
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Hmm, had a quick scan and looks like it might be rather heavy duty for the rare occasions. I think I'll try the Console next time!

    C


  • Local notification methods?
    CatmanV2C CatmanV2

    Interesting. I did try that, but Volumio doesn't support it. I guess a Rasbian type would be worth looking at.

    I assume the Pi connected, played then disconnected as opposed to 'hogging' the BT?

    Cheers

    C

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