G+_zyga zyga Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Looking into getting into home automation. What is the most secure and affordable way of connecting sensors? Bluetooth, wifi, rf? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 homeautomationhacking.com - OpenWink | HomeAutomationHacking.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Look at SuperHouseTVs other videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 In my opinion it is using the Z-Wave platform. It is secure with encryption, easy to install, easy to use, easily expandable, inexpensive and widely available. You will not find a broader array of sensors on the market today than the ones that use Z-Wave. There is more information here. 007systems.com - Home Control Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 zyga zyga, this has the opportunity to be an interesting thread now that I read J Miller's comment and go back and read your original question, I read affordable. I default to the DIY because it is cheaper, but there is greater opportunity for headaches. If you look at the different options Z-wave is more than likely the cheapest commercial option out there (if you look into that I am interested in what you find out). Z-wave is a closed source standard that a lot of very big names have bought into. The open-source alternative to Z-wave is Zigbee. The nice thing with Zigbee is that it's open you don't have to trust someone that there is no back doors. The only issue with Zigbee is the names that are standing behind Z-wave. When you expand your look into WiFi and BT I don't think there is enough tech out there to choose one standard. This is why which hub should I choose is probably a better first question. The OpenWink Hub link I posted is one option, by no means is it the only option or the best option. If you aren't comfortable hacking your Wink I wouldn't suggest it at all. All the hack does is keeps all your data local and out of the cloud. Whatever you find or decide I am interested to hear what it is. My current system is predominantly Z-wave and WiFi based but I have been looking at jumping to a more DIY solution for a while. Good luck in your endeavors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Scott W Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 https://www.mysensors.org/ I have been building my own sensors and using a Vera Home automation controller for a couple years now mysensors.org - Home | MySensors - Create your own Connected Home Experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 I think isn't mysensors the stuff that the Super House guy uses? The NRF24L01 chips are super cheap and work on Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Since they're 2.4 Ghz, they're susceptible to the same interference as WiFi and Bluetooth. There isn't any encryption built in other than channel choice, but I was able to use AES encryption on both Arduino and Pi to securely transmit data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Ben Reese?, both have a very similar approach and use very similar equipment. Both have there own store, Superhouse's "store" is the freetronics brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_zyga zyga Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share Posted November 9, 2016 i dont mind paying a little extra for prebuild systems.. unless it is just a arduino nano $5, transmitter $3, sensor $2 and they are charging $80 for it. i have watched tons of youtube vids, read lots of internet stuff. many of it seams to be quite dated in tech terms(2+ years). now that im back home ill have to do more watching, reading. thank you for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 Most controllers these days have multiple radio transceivers in them such as Z-Wave, Zigbee and Wifi to name a few. They are also pretty cheap (<150$) compared to all of the sensors you will purchase. This is why determining the platform the sensors will work on will be the most important decision you will make. Also, it is easier to swap out a controller than to reinstall all of the door locks, security, garage door and water shutoff sub controllers throughout your home. Security is also a concern as you don't want to let anybody hack your system and give the keys to your entire home. as they sit out on your street waiting for you to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 The security is my main concern with 3rd party systems and more so with diy/open source systems. Typically it's either super cheap and encryption is non-existent, or its expensive and no easy way for most of us to verify the security. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Sean Coston Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 J Miller Did Z-wave fix their major security issues? Google Steve Gibson and Z-wave...I thought he talked about how easy that platform was to pown. I could be wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 Sean Coston I think that was problems with the implementation. Like, Z-Wave has the option to use security and people weren't using that option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 11, 2016 Share Posted November 11, 2016 This is what they say at Z-Wave.com "Is Z-Wave secure? Yes, a Z-Wave network has a unique ID that it assigns to every device in the network, and that ID is different for every hub so your neighbor’s hub can’t control your devices. When an extra level of security is needed, such as for door locks and other high security devices, Z-Wave has another level of security which uses AES128 encryption at the same level that major banks use to protect financial information. Z-Wave AES encryption is supported by most Z-Wave hubs today and is required on all hubs with the Z-Wave Plus mark on them." Any system or platform can be hacked, but having encryption is better than not having encryption on it. http://www.z-wave.com/faq Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Eddie Foy Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 hardwire is most secure.. Not having 20 devices that have 20 apps to control. Much better off with a single point of control. And do you really need access from outside your home? If so use a VPN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 Eddie Foy I agree hard wire is the most secure but unless you are a cable guy or have money to pay a cable guy or your house gutted to the studs, hard wire is not an option for your entire system. 9 out of 10 people that I work with, want or need access from outside their LAN. This is what brought them to home automation in the first place. Although I have very little experience with VPN's, how hard is it to set up a VPN for the average joe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 16, 2016 Share Posted November 16, 2016 I think this is the link I am looking for. Hak5 hs 101 ways to get it done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Average Joe can setup a Raspberry Pi VPN with a little guidance from us not-so-average Joes. It's super simple to... -install Raspbian from Noobs -connect to the Pi with Putty -run the one script to install OpenVPN then follow the steps -setup port forwarding -setup a dynamic DNS -connect from your phone or computer What's difficult for Average Joe is knowing what all those steps are and how/when to perform each one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 +Thanks Ben Reese. If I am not mistaken, that is about 40 minutes for the experienced. To instruct someone that has not done that before, I would guess at least double the time. If this is the easiest way to VPN into your home, it will not fly. At least I could not get people to do it. And I am sure they would not pay me to do it for them especially when I can install a home controller in less than 20 minutes with no need to access their router or purchase extra hardware and have full home control from outside their LAN (OTL) at the end of that 20 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_J Miller Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 What is the best free DNS service you guys use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 Afraid.org is probably my current favorite free option. No-ip.com is another good one, but it requires you to log in once a month to keep your account alive (and for the opportunity to up-sale). I don't remember having to check in regularly with freedns.afraid.org - FreeDNS - Free DNS - Dynamic DNS - Static DNS subdomain and domain hosting... If you don't mind spending $1/month, a few registrars support dynamic DNS. I know Namecheap does and I think I've heard Googles service does too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Mark Quinn Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Hope I don't get kicked off of here due to total ignorance and stupidty. In the late 90's I started playing with x10 modules. As time move forward I started writing very simple macros for the system which was great fun especially to impress the ladies ( I was in my 20's). I then wanted a way to access all of this from outside my apartment and also to play practical jokes on my roommate at the time. The easiest and safest way for me to do this was to use logmein. This worked incredibly well and fit the timer was pretty secure. Is there any service like this still out there besides trying to setup a VPN ? I currently do not use x10 anymore due to the flickering of fluorescent and led bulbs and the cameras just didn't cut there mustard anymore compared to what we have today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Team Viewer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Jason Perry Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 Mark Quinn?, I have been looking for something like X10 to use as a means of knowing what is plugged in where in the house. Have you run into anything I could use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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