home automation software

Hi folks,

I'd like to integrate my fledgling CBus install with some home automation software.

Is anybody using any, and have any recommendations? I'd prefer open source, linux based.

I've been trying misterhouse, but I'm having problems getting it running, and I'm not sure that it (a) has a very active community anymore, and (b) still supports CBus.

Cheers,

Jon

 

Not open source and not linux but I highly recomend CQC from Charmed Quark. IMO the best that is out there, esp for the price.

www.charmedquark.com

check out the CQC forums for the real value of it.

Mick

 

Hi Jon,

Yep, I would heartily recommend Misterhouse for it's superb CBus interface (which I have done a lot of work on).

Unfortunately due to a change in CGate, Jon has had problems getting Misterhouse working. He has done some excellent work and chased down the problem.

It appears that CGate has changed its response to DBGET requests.

To our CGate developers: Is the change in the 342 reply from DBGET deliberate??

Previously, the DBGET responded with a 342 including a Project name.
342 //CARLYLE/254/p/171/TagName=Guest Bathroom

Now CGate (Jon's version anyway) is responding with a relative address ie. no Project name.
342 254/p/6/TagName=Downstairs Relay 1

Was this done to align with the DBTAGLIST or might it revert back?

Cheers,
Andy.

 

Mick, thanks for the tip. I am keen to stay with open source.

Fortunately, as Andy's pointed out, I've managed to get misterhouse working with current CBus. My version of CGate is 2.9.7, if that helps.

Cheers,

Jon

 

Out of curosity, why do you want an open source solution?

 

Have a look at CommandFusion (www.commandfusion.com) it is an Australian based system that requires no special hardware to operate on and is open source.

There is a module for C-Bus already created on GitHub.

All control is done via an iDevice (iPad, iPhone, iTouch) or Android Device.

 

Bizarre. So it should work fine as long as "if the system expects to see a project name in the response then the DBGET should include the project name." This is the case for MisterHouse.

My CGate version is:

Code:

Clipsal C-Gate Version: v2.7.1 (build 2267) #cmd-syntax=1.0

As you can see below, MH is sending the project name. So it is getting the project name in the response.

Code:

02/12/13 18:21:15  CBus: command 'dbget //CARLYLE/254/p/103/TagName'
02/12/13 18:21:15  CBus 342 response: '342 //CARLYLE/254/p/102/TagName=Bathroom Main'
02/12/13 18:21:15  CBus: Addr 102 is Bathroom Main of type unit
02/12/13 18:21:15  CBus: command 'dbget //CARLYLE/254/p/104/TagName'
02/12/13 18:21:15  CBus 342 response: '342 //CARLYLE/254/p/103/TagName=MasterBed Entrance'

Apparently, Jon's CGate is not responding the same way.

Jon - do you think you could add a

Code:

print_log "CBus: command 'dbget $unit/TagName'";

before this line:

Code:

 set $cbus_talker "dbget $unit/TagName";

in cbus.pl

Sorry it's not a diff, but you are running a different code version to me now.

Jon's log files show MH should have the project name in the DBGET command. Just speculating but maybe the cause of this is a change CGate response to the TREE command? Anyway, if Jon can do a quick run showing us the command that MH is using we can move forward.

Andy.

PS. I am concerned that the current proposed fix for MH might mask (or even cause) other problems....

 

Andy,

I'll do this tonight and post a response.

Cheers,

Jon

 

Here's what I get when I telnet to cgate directly

Code:

jons-mbp:~ jon$ telnet raspberry 20023
Trying 192.168.1.12...
Connected to raspberry.<my.domain.removed>.
Escape character is '^]'.
201 Service ready: Clipsal C-Gate Version: v2.9.7 (build 2569) #cmd-syntax=1.0
dbget //HOME/254/p/0/TagName
342 254/p/0/TagName=USB PC Interface
dbget 254/p/0/TagName
342 254/p/0/TagName=USB PC Interface

So it looks like I'm not getting the response in the same format as the query.

Here's the logging from mister house with the additional print log statements (and a few more of my own ;-)

Looks like it's getting the same thing, e.g.

Code:

12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/0/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/0/TagName=USB PC Interface

Code:

12/03/13 09:22:54 PM CBus: Monitor started
12/03/13 09:22:54 PM CBus: Talker started
12/03/13 09:22:54 PM CBus: Comms established - 201 Service ready: Clipsal C-Gate Version: v2.9.7 (build 2569) #cmd-syntax=1.0
12/03/13 09:22:54 PM CBus: Session ID is "sessionID=cmd65"
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: project load HOME
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: project use HOME
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: project start HOME
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: Network list - 254
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: command 'get 254 state'
12/03/13 09:22:56 PM CBus: CGate Status - 300 //HOME/254: state=ok
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM Telnet: port data (IO::Socket::INET=GLOB(0x3841f20)): cbus builder scan cgate
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM Running: CBus Builder Scan CGate
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM Ran telnet command: cbus builder scan cgate
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: load_def_file() XML definition file ./../../local/code/cbus.xml does not exist
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: scan_cgate() Scanning CGate...
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: scan_cgate() Command - project start HOME
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: command 'get cbus networks'
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: Network list - 254
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: command 'get 254 state'
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: CGate Status - 300 //HOME/254: state=ok
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: Scanning network //HOME/254
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: command 'tree //HOME/254'
12/03/13 09:23:04 PM CBus: scanned addr=//HOME/254/p/0 is type PCLOCALU
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned addr=//HOME/254/p/1 is type DIMDN8
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned addr=//HOME/254/p/2 is type KEYB4
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned addr=//HOME/254/p/4 is type SENPILL
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned addr=//HOME/254/p/6 is type RELDN4
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/0 at level 102
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/1 at level 0
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/2 at level 128
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/3 at level 51
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/5 at level 255
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/6 at level 0
12/03/13 09:23:05 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/7 at level 0
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/8 at level 0
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/20 at level 255
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/56/254 at level 0
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/202/0 at level 102
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: scanned group=//HOME/254/202/1 at level 51
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/0/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/0/TagName=Kitchen Bench Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/0 is Kitchen Bench Downlights of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/0, Kitchen Bench Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/1/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/1/TagName=Kitchen Island Pendamts
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/1 is Kitchen Island Pendamts of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/1, Kitchen Island Pendamts
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/2/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/2/TagName=Kitchen Table Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/2 is Kitchen Table Downlights of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/2, Kitchen Table Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/3/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/3/TagName=Dining Room Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/3 is Dining Room Downlights of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/3, Dining Room Downlights
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/5/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/5/TagName=Hallway Spotlight
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/5 is Hallway Spotlight of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/5, Hallway Spotlight
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/6/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/6/TagName=Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 1
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/6 is Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 1 of type group
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/6, Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 1
12/03/13 09:23:06 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/7/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/7/TagName=Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 2
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/7 is Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 2 of type group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/7, Downstairs Bathroom Heatlamp 2
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/8/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/8/TagName=Downstairs Bathroom Fan
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/8 is Downstairs Bathroom Fan of type group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/8, Downstairs Bathroom Fan
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/20/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/20/TagName=Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/20 is Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link of type group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/20, Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/56/254/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/56/254/TagName=Shed Light - Insteon via MrHouse
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/56/254 is Shed Light - Insteon via MrHouse of type group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/56/254, Shed Light - Insteon via MrHouse
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/202/0/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: 401 Bad object or device ID: Element 0 not found.
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/202/1/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/202/1/TagName=Dining Room Scene Trigger Group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr //HOME/254/202/1 is Dining Room Scene Trigger Group of type group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() group not defined yet, adding //HOME/254/202/1, Dining Room Scene Trigger Group
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/0/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/0/TagName=USB PC Interface
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr 0 is USB PC Interface of type unit
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() unit not defined yet, adding 0, USB PC Interface
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/1/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/1/TagName=Downstairs Dimmer 1
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr 1 is Downstairs Dimmer 1 of type unit
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() unit not defined yet, adding 1, Downstairs Dimmer 1
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/2/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/2/TagName=Kitchen 4-gang Switch
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr 2 is Kitchen 4-gang Switch of type unit
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() unit not defined yet, adding 2, Kitchen 4-gang Switch
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/4/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/4/TagName=Kitchen Multi-Sensor
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr 4 is Kitchen Multi-Sensor of type unit
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() unit not defined yet, adding 4, Kitchen Multi-Sensor
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: command 'dbget //HOME/254/p/6/TagName'
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: Message 342 response data: 342 254/p/6/TagName=Downstairs Relay 1
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() Addr 6 is Downstairs Relay 1 of type unit
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: add_address_to_hash() unit not defined yet, adding 6, Downstairs Relay 1
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: CBus server scan complete
12/03/13 09:23:07 PM CBus: write_def_file() Writing XML definition to ./../../local/code/cbus.xml,
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM Telnet: port data (IO::Socket::INET=GLOB(0x3841f20)): cbus builder run
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM Running: CBus Builder Run
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM Ran telnet command: cbus builder run
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM CBus: load_def_file () Loading CBus config from XML file ./../../local/code/cbus.xml
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM CBus: build_cbus_file() Starting build
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM CBus: build_cbus_file() Saving CBus configs to ./../../local/code/cbus_procedures.pl
12/03/13 09:23:45 PM CBUs: build_cbus_file() Completed CBus build to ./../../local/code/cbus_procedures.pl
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Telnet: port data (IO::Socket::INET=GLOB(0x3841f20)): reload code
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Running: Reload code
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Ran telnet command: reload code
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Re-reading /usr/local/bin/mrhouse/local/mh.private.ini and mh.ini
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Re-reading 12 code files
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM    0 files deleted, 1 file changed: cbus_procedures.pl
12/03/13 09:23:56 PM Reevaluating user code
12/03/13 09:23:57 PM Rereading .menu code files.
12/03/13 09:23:57 PM CBus: Talker stopping
12/03/13 09:23:57 PM CBus: load_def_file () Loading CBus config from XML file ./../../local/code/cbus.xml
12/03/13 09:23:58 PM CBus: Monitor started
12/03/13 09:23:58 PM CBus: Talker started
12/03/13 09:23:59 PM CBus: Comms established - 201 Service ready: Clipsal C-Gate Version: v2.9.7 (build 2569) #cmd-syntax=1.0
12/03/13 09:24:00 PM CBus: Session ID is "sessionID=cmd67"
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: project load HOME
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: project use HOME
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: project start HOME
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: Network list - 254
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: command 'get 254 state'
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: CGate Status - 300 //HOME/254: state=ok
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: Syncing MisterHouse to CBus (Off groups not displayed)
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights is 20%
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: Hallway Spotlight is on
12/03/13 09:24:02 PM CBus: Kitchen Bench Downlights is 40%
12/03/13 09:24:03 PM CBus: Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link is on
12/03/13 09:24:03 PM CBus: Kitchen Table Downlights is 50%
12/03/13 09:24:12 PM CBus: Sync to CGate complete
12/03/13 09:24:50 PM CBus: RAMP Kitchen Table Downlights set off, speed=2
12/03/13 09:24:51 PM CBus: Kitchen Table Downlights set to OFF by "MisterHouse"
12/03/13 09:25:03 PM CBus: RAMP Kitchen Bench Downlights set off, speed=2
12/03/13 09:25:03 PM CBus: Kitchen Bench Downlights set to OFF by "MisterHouse"
12/03/13 09:25:10 PM CBus: RAMP Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link set off, speed=2
12/03/13 09:25:10 PM CBus: Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link set to OFF by "MisterHouse"
12/03/13 09:26:01 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:26:02 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:26:03 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:26:15 PM Telnet: port data (IO::Socket::INET=GLOB(0x3841f20)): exit
12/03/13 09:26:16 PM Telnet: session closed from 192.168.1.13
12/03/13 09:27:35 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:27:37 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:27:38 PM CBus: Dining Room Downlights dim to 20% by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"
12/03/13 09:27:40 PM CBus: Downstaris Hallway Corridor Link set to ON by "Switch:Kitchen Multi-Sensor"

And here's cgate's response to the tree command:

Code:

tree //HOME/254
320- Network name:254 type=cni address=127.0.0.1:10001 state=ok
320-  Unit count=5
320- Units:
320-//HOME/254/p/0 ($0) type=PCLOCALU app=255($ff),255($ff) state=ok groups=
320-//HOME/254/p/1 ($1) type=DIMDN8 app=56($38),255($ff) state=ok groups=3,5
320-//HOME/254/p/2 ($2) type=KEYB4 app=56($38),202($ca) state=ok groups=3,254,5
320-//HOME/254/p/4 ($4) type=SENPILL app=56($38),202($ca) state=ok groups=3,5
320-//HOME/254/p/6 ($6) type=RELDN4 app=56($38),255($ff) state=ok groups=6,7,8
320-Applications:
320- Application 56 ($38) [lighting]
320- Groups:
320-  //HOME/254/56/0 ($0) level=0 state=ok units= 
320-  //HOME/254/56/1 ($1) level=0 state=ok units= 
320-  //HOME/254/56/2 ($2) level=0 state=ok units= (phantom)
320-  //HOME/254/56/3 ($3) level=51 state=ok units=1,2,4 
320-  //HOME/254/56/5 ($5) level=255 state=ok units=1,2,4 
320-  //HOME/254/56/6 ($6) level=0 state=ok units=6 
320-  //HOME/254/56/7 ($7) level=0 state=ok units=6 
320-  //HOME/254/56/8 ($8) level=0 state=ok units=6 
320-  //HOME/254/56/20 ($14) level=255 state=ok units= (phantom)
320-  //HOME/254/56/254 ($fe) level=0 state=ok units=2 
320- Application 202 ($ca) [trigger]
320- Net Vars:
320-  //HOME/254/202/0 ($0) level=102 state=ok
320-  //HOME/254/202/1 ($1) level=51 state=ok
320 -end-

dbget 254
342-254/OID=135d9b70-3536-1031-a8f1-cbbac5836c6b
342-254/TagName=HOME_NET
342-254/Address=254
.......

dbget //HOME/254
342-254/OID=135d9b70-3536-1031-a8f1-cbbac5836c6b
342-254/TagName=HOME_NET
342-254/Address=254
.......

I have hide-project-names=no in my config.

 

Mick,

Part of me likes free (as in speech) so I can modify the software to suit my requirements if need be. Part of me likes free as in beer.

I'm also using open source solitons for media and telephony, and is imagine integration between open source projects is probably more developed than integration between OS and closed.

Cheers,

Jon

 

Daniel,

Thanks for looking into this. The patch I've submitted to misterhouse supports both return formats, so we should be good.

Cheers,

Jon

 

Then you should still look at CQC. WHile its not OS, you are free to create drivers (how it connects to devices/apps) yourself and the graphical side is all your own design. Its about as open as you can get without open source. This also deals with your second requirement re other open source solutions - as long as there is an API, CQC should be able to work with it.

Do you actually get into the OS code and modify it yourself and then re-compile so it is your own custom build?

Mick

 

Mick, thanks. I will look at CQC. The home automation software project has been on the back burner for a little while - I've had things like development approval and contacts to focus on!

I do code a little. I'd prefer to find something that does (more or less) what I want without my having to modify it, but failing that, I'd be happy to invest some time in a flexible solution.

Cheers,

Jon