[lug] off-topic: wireless ip security (summary)

Tue Oct 22 10:16:12 MDT 2013

Related to this topic, if you haven't seen it already:
http://lwn.net/Articles/569688/


On Sun, Oct 13, 2013 at 2:31 PM, Michael J. Hammel <
mjhammel at graphics-muse.org> wrote:

> On Fri, 2013-09-06 at 11:31 -0600, George S. wrote:
> > Did you have a traditional, monitored alarm system in place? Is there a
> > reason one of those wouldn't work?
>
> As promised, here is what I ended up doing with respect to my security
> system at home:  Lowe's IRIS.  Let me explain why, and what I've learned
> since installing it.
>
> IRIS starts with a small server box connected to your home network.  It
> communicates with IRIS's home web site which is where you do all your
> configuration.  Not crazy about cloud solutions, but I was kind of
> limited when it came to the rest of the things I wanted, so I sucked it
> up on this.  Turns out it was a decent compromise.  The server can also
> be outfitted with a GSM modem in case the wired net is cut and it will
> run on internal batteries for awhile (not sure how long) if electricity
> goes out.  It will report both event types to who ever is configured to
> get notifications.
>
> All devices reporting to the server in your home are wireless, utilizing
> Z-Wave technology.  This is similar to ZigBee but operates at 900MHz.
> I've had a very few drop outs possibly due to the 900MHz channel, but
> these have been very few and only when first installed.  Communications
> have been very stable since then.
>
> Attaching a new device to the server is simply a matter of going to the
> web site, telling it you're going to add a device, putting the battery
> in the device, and waiting till the server at home beeps.  This is
> called pairing and the two devices should be near each other to do it
> (re: do it before installing the sensor). Takes a minute or two, worse
> case.  Often, just seconds.  I've installed windor/door open sensors,
> wireless IP cameras, motion sensors, electric outlets and light
> switches.  Takes longer to actually physically install them than to add
> them to the network.
>
> Web site was the kicker.  I can configure outlets and light switches for
> multiple schedules to simulate a presence at the house.  The window/door
> sensors include temperature sensors that report the temp around the
> house. I configured my wife and I to get SMS alerts and it also sends me
> an email notification.  There are a lot of configuration and
> notification options available.  I'm only using a very few.
>
> Service is free but a little limited in configuration options.  Paid
> service, which I've opted for after being convinced the thing works, is
> only $9/month, which is pretty cheap, to get full configuration
> capabilities.  There is some work to be done on their end to expand
> capabilities, but I've already had multiple firmware updates delivered,
> much like you get phone updates.  The web site is a little klunky, but
> easy to use.
>
> Wireless IP cameras work well.  You can watch live video that is about
> 10 seconds behind.  It will also record 30 seconds (or more, at your
> configuration) when sensors are tripped.  You get something like 10GB of
> disk space to hold recordings.  I hardly used anything the few times I
> accidentally tripped the sensors and got automatic video recordings.
>
> My only complaint is that updates to the phone apps (Android and iPhone)
> are a little slow, though its probably the carriers fault.  So when we
> leave the house and want to enable full security it takes a minute to
> download current status before allowing us to set a new state.  But
> that's not really been a big issue for us.
>
> IRIS supports lots of other devices, including automatic door locks,
> keychain fobs. thermostats, keypads, electric meter readers, and smoke
> alarms.  It says wireless window shades are coming soon too.
> Technically any Z-Wave device will work though its not guaranteed to
> support all functions of that device.
>
> Every window and door has a sensor on it now.  I have two cameras in
> place, three light switches and four outlets.  Total cost so far is
> about $800 I think, but I kinda lost track.  All I need now is a device
> that drops an electrically active net on the intruders ala the Wolowitz
> intruder detection system.
>
> Caveat:  the on/off light switch they sell doesn't work with two wire
> homes.  You need three wires.  To get around that, get the dimmable
> light switch.  It works with two wires.  You just get to watch it slide
> from 0% to 100% and vice versa when IRIS controls it.
>
> Hope that helps someone else *before* they have uninvited guests.
>
> --
> Michael J. Hammel
> mjhammel at graphics-muse.org / http://www.graphics-muse.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
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