ᐅ Installation and Setup of IoBroker – Still Configurable in Old Age?
Created on: 30 Dec 2020 21:16
B
bauenmk2020
bauenmk202030 Dec 2020 21:16Hello everyone,
first of all: I grew up with computers (C64) and I believe I have good to very good skills in this area (for example, I program as a hobby).
But apparently, building a house has made me so clueless that I’m currently struggling to set up my "Smart Home."
Last week, I installed ioBroker. The installation on my Windows system initially ended with an error message. I couldn’t find any solutions online. The ioBroker forum seems to have problems with a) very long threads, b) dead threads, or c) threads whose content is no longer up to date.
In the end, I found out that I had to uninstall a version of Visual Studio that I had installed beforehand...
Well, I installed ioBroker and it was then accessible via localhost. Now I wanted to connect my Ikea lamps. But first, I had to plug in the ConbeeII USB stick. I connected it to the computer, but nothing happened! No software was included. They say you need some kind of app, but where on earth is it? After some trial and error, I realized that the gateway is accessible via a certain port on my “localhost”! Well, okay. I logged in there and set up a username and password. Then I had to install a “deconz” adapter in ioBroker. To figure out what to enter there, I had to research online again...
In the meantime, I started working on the visualization. The demo view can’t be deleted and is always set as “default.” That means I always have to load this view first and then switch to my project. Accessing the visualization over the network worked well. However, the tablet is not really suitable! After researching, I found out that my Amazon Fire tablet requires a “Fully Kiosk Browser” (or something similar). But I can’t install that because the Google services (Play Store) are missing. Great, now I have to somehow use USB to load this package onto the tablet — which also means some research first...
After some back and forth, I can now turn the lamps on and off. I can even display values from the heat pump and have already created a chart using FlotDiagram.
Finally, I wanted to integrate Alexa. After more research, I found out I’m supposed to build something in “node-red”! I first had to figure out what that even is. Ah, install an adapter. And again, it was available on my “localhost.”
But following the “instructions” online didn’t really work... That’s where I’m at for now – I’ve temporarily lost motivation 🙁
My actual goal is to create scenes (lights, shading), presence detection, securing the house, and detecting open windows, etc.
To do this, I obviously need to “link” the devices and control them centrally.
Right now, I’m just asking myself: What am I actually doing here? Everything I set up, configure, and install feels so fragile! If an address changes somewhere or an update alters something, the whole DIY setup won’t work anymore! Should I really put myself through this at almost 40 years old? Spending hours at the computer (even though most of it is fun) isn’t something I can afford much anymore (house, family, work).
Is this the price you pay for a smart home? Or are there simply easier systems than ioBroker?
first of all: I grew up with computers (C64) and I believe I have good to very good skills in this area (for example, I program as a hobby).
But apparently, building a house has made me so clueless that I’m currently struggling to set up my "Smart Home."
Last week, I installed ioBroker. The installation on my Windows system initially ended with an error message. I couldn’t find any solutions online. The ioBroker forum seems to have problems with a) very long threads, b) dead threads, or c) threads whose content is no longer up to date.
In the end, I found out that I had to uninstall a version of Visual Studio that I had installed beforehand...
Well, I installed ioBroker and it was then accessible via localhost. Now I wanted to connect my Ikea lamps. But first, I had to plug in the ConbeeII USB stick. I connected it to the computer, but nothing happened! No software was included. They say you need some kind of app, but where on earth is it? After some trial and error, I realized that the gateway is accessible via a certain port on my “localhost”! Well, okay. I logged in there and set up a username and password. Then I had to install a “deconz” adapter in ioBroker. To figure out what to enter there, I had to research online again...
In the meantime, I started working on the visualization. The demo view can’t be deleted and is always set as “default.” That means I always have to load this view first and then switch to my project. Accessing the visualization over the network worked well. However, the tablet is not really suitable! After researching, I found out that my Amazon Fire tablet requires a “Fully Kiosk Browser” (or something similar). But I can’t install that because the Google services (Play Store) are missing. Great, now I have to somehow use USB to load this package onto the tablet — which also means some research first...
After some back and forth, I can now turn the lamps on and off. I can even display values from the heat pump and have already created a chart using FlotDiagram.
Finally, I wanted to integrate Alexa. After more research, I found out I’m supposed to build something in “node-red”! I first had to figure out what that even is. Ah, install an adapter. And again, it was available on my “localhost.”
But following the “instructions” online didn’t really work... That’s where I’m at for now – I’ve temporarily lost motivation 🙁
My actual goal is to create scenes (lights, shading), presence detection, securing the house, and detecting open windows, etc.
To do this, I obviously need to “link” the devices and control them centrally.
Right now, I’m just asking myself: What am I actually doing here? Everything I set up, configure, and install feels so fragile! If an address changes somewhere or an update alters something, the whole DIY setup won’t work anymore! Should I really put myself through this at almost 40 years old? Spending hours at the computer (even though most of it is fun) isn’t something I can afford much anymore (house, family, work).
Is this the price you pay for a smart home? Or are there simply easier systems than ioBroker?
K
knalltüte30 Dec 2020 21:39bauenmk2020 schrieb:
Hello everyone,
first of all: I grew up with computers (C64) ... Sorry, I can’t resist, but I grew up with the C64 and I’m 53!
And yes, that is the price (or plus/minus 50K to the right expert if you can find one).
bauenmk2020 schrieb:
Is that the price for such a smart home? Or are there simpler systems than ioBroker? 1) If you’re not enjoying it, I’d probably stop.
2) Once it’s set up and you don’t change anything, it just runs.
3) The first 40 hours are the hardest :-)
Otherwise, I’d recommend taking it step by step and not tackling everything at once.
I’m using OpenHAB myself, but I don’t think it’s any simpler than ioBroker.
--> easier approach: just let Alexa play some music by voice and tell her you love her :-)
bauenmk2020 schrieb:
Is this the price for a smart home like this? Or are there simpler systems than ioBroker?Yes, that is the price for “such a smart home.” For those who don’t want to deal with such fragile setups, there is KNX. Usually, everything is pre-packaged, and you just select what you need. That also works well at an older age.bauenmk202031 Dec 2020 09:45superzapp schrieb:
Sorry, I can’t help myself, but I grew up with the C64 and I’m 53!
And yes, that’s the price (or roughly +/- 50,000 for the right experts if you can find them) Okay, I was probably too young back then, but I could already start games because I learned from my older brother. But that’s not the point. I just wanted to express that I have lived through the early computer era.
However, when I face a problem today and look for solutions, I usually find that some kind of “online service” is required. In YouTube tutorials, for example, they say, “after that, we create an account with XY…” For me, that’s the reason to stop right there.
Mycraft schrieb:
Yes, that’s the price for “a smart home.” For those who don’t want to deal with such fragile setups, there’s KNX. Usually, everything is packaged complete, and you simply click together what you need. That also works well at advanced ages. I knew that answer was coming. Yes, I would also have liked to have KNX. And I’m still planning to integrate the switching actuators behind the light switches and roller shutters (EnOcean).
Turning lights on/off and raising/lowering roller shutters I want to connect in a “robust” way.
As for the other “gadgets” like Alexa or visualizations, I’m currently wondering if they are worth the effort. For example, you can display current fuel prices – but is the effort really justified? I’m trying to find the right balance between a solid smart home foundation and nice-to-have extras. Put differently: How much should I expand the ioBroker system…
By the way, one more question: How do I document everything for the future? Should I save my “work folder” on a DVD and store it inside the electrical cabinet? I mean things like passwords for certain services and so on.
It’s difficult to say whether it’s worth it. It really depends on what you want to do with it. I personally find talking to the house somewhat strange. Of course, you can consider the option, but in our case, even after years, I still don’t really know how to use it in a more or less practical way.
Do you need the current fuel prices? If yes, then go for it. Requirements and needs are always very individual. I know someone who has their stock prices displayed through the lighting in the baseboards.
In my experience, these gimmicks usually come after you’ve completed the rest and taken care of the usual essentials. So I would first automate as many recurring tasks as possible that make life easier, and the extras will come along naturally.
Documentation is also somewhat challenging. But yes, go ahead, at least for your own sake. If you don’t work with it regularly, you have to relearn it over and over again.
Do you need the current fuel prices? If yes, then go for it. Requirements and needs are always very individual. I know someone who has their stock prices displayed through the lighting in the baseboards.
In my experience, these gimmicks usually come after you’ve completed the rest and taken care of the usual essentials. So I would first automate as many recurring tasks as possible that make life easier, and the extras will come along naturally.
Documentation is also somewhat challenging. But yes, go ahead, at least for your own sake. If you don’t work with it regularly, you have to relearn it over and over again.