Best way to switch from Xanura to KNX/EIB?

[Post-IT]

Nice to see the stability discussion on Homeseer and Windhose

I've tried both virtual and dedicated hardware (even a Hometroller from Homeseer!), Windoze just isn't the platform for this type of application. After talking to Bert I've switched the RFXCOM LAN interface to IP. USB drivers have been updated a long time ago. The PMIX35 use the Silicon Labs CP210x driver, so I've updated that one to the latest greatest. I don't want to be scared to do an OS, application or driver update knowing it could reduce my stability

I've measured my Powerline network, and it seems fine. Thats why I don't have any trouble with my Xanura network. If I keep the Xanura and build the KNX/A10 gateway this will introduce an extra component or SPOF if you like, so I'm not sure that will keep things stable.
If could get about €3500 for the Xanura set I have, subtract ~€1200 for the KNX/A10 gateway the switch to powernet EIB more feasible. And I'm not sure how much time I would need to program the gateway... switching the powernet devices would take me about half a day.

[Bwired]

I also have a big dislike of USB devices and use them as less as possible in the Bwired house. If I need to use them then they are directly on my domoticaserver.
I dont use the PMIX35 but the CTX35, much more stable. USB->IP devices are not stable at all so I dont use them. RS232->IP are working great for me.
If it is possible a communicate directly on IP base like for example with RFXCom, I dont use the the comdrivers!
But the trend is more and more USB devices I hate them!
After HS version 1.7 I decided to code my own software and drivers. HS needs a drastic redesign which probably never will come!
I you look for example at HS Touch, same problems.
At this moment there is still not one perfect solution, even a rather new product like Zwave has problems for example with status which is not reliable etc.

[Digit]

Same here.
USB is only used for Plugwise stick, nothing else.
All RS232 hardware like ACT TI213, PLCBUS interface, GSM modem, Alphatronics, Zigbee is connected to a RS232 -> Ethernet server. Very reliable.
And the rest like RFXCOM, Fritz!Box, HA7Net, IRTrans, Thermostat etc. has its own Ethernet interface.

The only reasons for restarting my Domotica system is new functionality (for example a new sensor type)
The only reason for rebooting the VM it runs in, are OS updates.

IMO using 3rd party drivers as less as possible is the key issue regarding a reliable system, not the platform.

[Henk]

May be of interest : http://www.roelbroersma.nl/index.php/20 ... homeserver

Are you testing the CER Field commander or the Gira Homeserver 3 hardware ?

Henk

[Post-IT]

I'm about to test the Gira Homeserver, I'm using Roels manual to build it. Due to a fire in my appartment building I had to wait two weeks before I could download my CentOS images.

I don't have the FieldCommander, I've talked to Littlebit about this situation and he would sent me a quote for the FieldCommander with the KNXnet/IP and A10 modules.

[Droezel]

USB->IP devices are not stable at all so I dont use them.

I've found one device that is really stable: Digi AnywhereUSB. It has been online for months now without a dropout.

Tried the belkin usb lanbox but that was really rubbish, also tried the lantronix ubox wich is better but still needs a reset every 2 months or so.

[Digit]

Droezel,

You're right about that one (the Digi i mean). I tested a sample 2 years ago, but i needed 64-bit drivers that i couldn't find (my fault, as i discovered later). That, and the high price made me decide for the Belkin.

[Post-IT]

Today I managed to get Gira Homeserver running in a VM and let it accept an empty/minimal project over IP.

So this weekend I hope to build some projectfiles with Gira expert to test if I can integrate my IP components. I noticed that snmp poll/trap is also supported.

[Post-IT]

Update:

I've talked to CER about using the FieldCommander to use as a KNX/A10 gateway, but they told me the Xanura/A10 (send/receive) module was not developed yet. So using the FC I can only create a gateway between KNX and X10 (send). So until then the FC is not an option because I need feedback from the modules.

Options now left are:
1) Create my own IP or RS232 connection to my Xanura network directly from Gira HS. I'm still busy trying to find documentation on this...
2) Pull out the complete Xanura installation and replace it with PowernetEIB (~€6000 to invest with not more then an expected €2000 return on the Xanura parts).

Unfortunately I had little reaction on my Xanura posting, so it seems there is little interest in those Xanura parts.

On the Gira Homeserver part, as a test I'm now trying to create a module to interact with my Proliphix IP thermostat.

[Post-IT]

Well after some more trouble with USB stuff...thanks to a Parallels update which promised to solve USB stability issues . Also I had to replace two defective Xanura modules these last few months. So I have now started to order some stuff.

I decided to replace my Xanura network with EIB Powernet. It is a faster and more reliable powerline implementation then Xanura. Next to that, I think it's a lost cause to spend money on building a KNX gateway for an EOL product.

So here is what I've done with the rest of my interfaces:
- Networx/Caddx alarm integration, I've bought an Zennio KNX<->RS232 gateway. The software seems pretty simple, let's hope I'll get this one working.
- Proliphix thermostat and RFXCOM, I've order the IP BAOS 770 router, which hopefully gives me enough ways to fetch data from IP devices and present them as an object on the KNX bus. The alternative is to use some small thermostat modules which present their data on the powerline bus.
- RFXio, I'll try to do this through IP with the Gira Homeserver or BAOS. If it doesn't work I'll order a separate i/o KNX module

So I've order my basic POC set from EIBmarkt.com and Voltus.de, some powerline switch modules, dimmers, systemmodules and the wall switches in white and steel.

Hopefully I'll be able to start setting up my POC next week.

[Bwired]

Keep us posted, intresting stuff.
Please let us know if the protocol is open and you can fully control it with own software?
The broken Xanura where from the old line?

[Post-IT]

Both were DAIX12 modules. One was flooding the network with OFF commands after switching it off, the other one just fried. I'm not so sure if I can send them back after more then a year.

When I have an update, I'll post some more info.

[Bwired]

Send them to Marmitek and see
The saix12 are very solid compared to the daix

[Post-IT]

I have started a clean thread to discus my first test setup: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5976