Instructions how to use Vera 2

Community Playground General Discussions
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Important last minute notes

Power Adapters: This package includes 2 power adapters. The one with the red and green lights on the back connects to the black battery pack only. The other power adapter, with the black grips on the side, is to connect to Vera.

Green Light: In the enclosed Quick Start Guide it says to look for a green light on the battery pack’s power pack. Ignore this; some of the battery packs will arrive fully charged so the green light will not light up. The green light indicates the battery pack is charging, and it goes out when the battery pack is fully charged.

MIOS Engine: In the documentation whenever it refers to the ‘MIOS Engine’, this means Vera. Vera is the MIOS Engine.

New documentation: Your Vera’s has a new user interface released in January, 2010. The screen shots and wiki on micasaverde.com do not apply. The user’s manual for this new user interface is available at http://micasaverde.com/vera2docs or by clicking any of the help or Quick Start icons in Vera’s web page.

Including or excluding Zwave devices from Vera’s network:

As explained in the online user’s manual, the procedure is:

  1. Disconnect all of Vera’s cables so you can carry Vera around to the Zwave devices you want to include or exclude, like light switches, door locks, sensors and so on.
  2. Connect the battery pack to Vera using the short cable supplied and turn the battery pack on. The battery pack can power Vera for up to 2 hours.
  3. Wait up to 60 seconds for the Zwave light on Vera to light up solid.
    3a. To include devices: Tap Vera’s Zwave button. The Zwave light will blink slowly, once per second, to indicate Vera is in include mode.
    3b. To exclude or devices: Press and hold Vera’s Zwave button for 3 seconds, then let go. The Zwave light will blink rapidly, 4 times per second, to indicate Vera is in exclude mode.
  4. Carry Vera around to all the devices you want to include or exclude and press each device’s activate button. When Vera has successfully included or excluded a device the Zwave light will flutter for 2 seconds as confirmation.

Note: You can switch between include and exclude mode. If, while in include mode, you hold the Zwave button for 3 seconds and let go, the Zwave light will blink fast to indicate you are now in exclude mode. If, while in exclude mode, you tap the Zwave button, the Zwave light will blink slowly to indicate you are now in include mode.

When you have finished adding or removing devices and want to save your changes, tap the Zwave button once if include mode to exit include mode and go back to normal. When Vera has finished saving the new devices and resumed normal operation the Zwave light will come on solid again. If you’re in exclude mode and want to save your changes, tap the Zwave button once to go into include mode, then, when in include mode, tap it again. When the Zwave light is on solid you can now unplug the battery pack and reconnect Vera like normal.

Troubleshooting: If you have trouble adding or removing a node, then do not unplug the battery pack or turn Vera off. Take Vera, still running on battery power, and connect ETH1 to your home network, like normal. Wait up to 2 minutes for the ETH1 light to come on solid, indicating Vera is connected to the internet. Log in to Vera’s setup page, like normal, and choose from the toolbar Advanced, then Tech Support. Then fill out a trouble ticket. Vera keeps logs while you are including or excluding devices, which logs are sent to our support team when you submit a trouble ticket. But those logs are lost when Vera loses power. So as long as Vera keeps running on battery power, the logs will remain on Vera Once the logs are submitted you can disconnect the battery pack and reconnect Vera to the main power.

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This must be quite helpful for all the customers who were under the impression that they were buying the old version and were wondering where the dongle has been hiding for the last few months.

Sorry I know you’re trying but look at what you are doing to your customers. Confusing them, frustrating them and leaving them questioning their purchase.

Not good marketing tactics as a minimum.

I apologize for the rant but I think you need to seriously reconsider your business model.

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I’m a very recent purchaser in the UK, happy to be on the cutting/bleeding edge! A few questions hopefully I can get some answers to:

Alarms, anything actually have Z-Wave support built in?

Anybody in the UK found any actual Z-Wave 3 pin mains sockets as opposed to plug in modules?

Reliable places to buy from in Europe/UK?

Thanks in advance

Oh, and should I be able to get the weather plug-in to work on Vera 2

Regards

Dave Hage

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hi:
I am new new in this field. I just got a new versa 2, but I have problem logging into versa 2. The power light is solid, but I cannot find it on findVera.com. I check the dhcp client to find which ip address it got and then trying that ip alos. I don’t get any. Any suggest or may be I should get an exchnage from the retailer?

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check that you’ve connected your Vera to the network using its Eth1 port.

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Same FindaVera problem with my Vera2. I do use Vera2 as the router as I need more than one port, so I kept my old router. I set up to a static IP address, instead of DHCP, for Vera on the router and use the IP address to log into Vera. It works well this way.

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Is it me, or does Vera2, without the dongle, seem like a step backwards in usability? I have the original Vera in my weekend home, and while there have been a few challenges, what works real well, in my opinion, is the portability of the dongle to manage networked devices. I can’t imagine having to carry around the entire Vera box with a battery pack dangling off of it to add/remove devices.

I’m considering getting another Vera for my primary home, but I really want the old form factor with the separate dongle. I keep all of my computer equipment discretely mounted in a closet, and have no interest in disconnecting a bunch of cables, unmounting Vera and plugging in a separate brick every time I need to add/remove a device.

I’m not a hardware engineer, but I am in the software business, and this new form factor is tantamount to releasing a new version of software that requires twice as many mouse clicks to complete the same task. What am I missing here? Why embed the zwave dongle (or equivalent) in the box? Or at the very least, why not build in a rechargeable battery so you don’t have to attach a separate battery pack when you carry the box around?

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I am now noticing some of the benefits of the new Mios Box (Vera2). I own the original Vera and it is so tempting to use it as a hub/router/etc and in doing so I have also experienced a lock-up condition that left me without internet to be able to diagnose the problem. Now, I AM able to find a work around in a pinch, but my point is that it is probably better for the general public to have a box that just plugs in to their existing network. Just something that I am noticing now.

I love the Aeon dongle too, but any dongle left hanging out of a USB port always seems like an accident waiting to happen in my experience. I haven’t sheered of a dongle yet, but I have come close a couple times, lol. Also, Vera2 is supposed to have a better Z-Wave antenna (or was it WiFi). I know the battery pack threw me at first, but considering the Z-Wave lock inclusion requiring the dongle be in Vera and both to be near the lock, I can see their motivation.

Having an internal battery might be nice, esp. if it doubled as some sort of battery backup, but I think anything that would fit in Vera wouldn’t last very long. There must be maintenance/warranty issues to consider too, that if the Vera had battery pack issues, you wouldn’t have to return the entire Vera unit. Heck, I’m considering making a battery pack for my Vera except fot the fact that my house is too small and I have no need right now. I understand your points and have felt that way at one time, but I think if Vera and Vera2’s release were reversed that people would now be objecting to getting an Asus router with Vera badges on it. I would… when something works I resist change for the most part. If MCV is more profitable with the new box then that is good too, I don’t want them going anywhere. :wink:

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I’ve got the new Vera2 box and have no problems carrying around the device with a battery pack attached.

I have had very little issues with this new box, and I agree with what I think Shady was saying about avoiding the use of Vera as your primary connection to the internet.

Personally, I use WRT Linux on my Linksys router and was very happy to see a manufacturer of Z-Wave controls using the open-source OS on Vera boxes.

I’ll bet this change in form factor turns out for the better. Why bother with a dongle when you can have an all-in-one device?

I’ll also say that I too was confused when purchasing Vera, for the first time… All advertisements showed the original Vera. With fewer Ethernet ports, I actually thought I was getting an older model or something.

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I too was a bit leery of vera2, but have found it to be rock solid. (well once I put UI2 on it :stuck_out_tongue: ). As for dragging it around, I guess I am lucky, it has seen the devices I need without having to unplug and go on battery. I even paired it with my schlage deadbolt, just set the high power option as it says in the instructions. Maybe down the road if things are at the far end of the house I will have to take it mobile to pair, but so far so good.

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I have to say…looking at how the vera2 has been out, I can’t believe no one has thought to change the info on the web page…very misleading. I’m thinking about buying this because it seems to be the most robust DIY zwave solution but I’m fearful that this project is close to abandonment just because of the lack of updates to the page. I think I still want this but I have to admit I’m getting nervous…

I would love to see the site updated and learn more about UI4 and its possible release date to ease my tension!!!

tks

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I totally agree with mario23 ! Been watching the MCV site for months and reading almost all the messages. Still concerned when this Vera device will be done enough for the general public. I am very excited about purchasing Vera but will wait until I see more positive progress on Vera 2. As you can see I finally signed up for this message board because I want MCV to succeed and hoping they provide more progress update soon.

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Hello all,

I am in the same boat as jackpot and totally agree with mario23. I too have been watching the MCV website and following this forum for months. The lack of updates on the website is discouraging. Vera looks like a great unit and is exactly what I’m looking for in every way, but watching all the discussions on this forum, it seems as though Vera is nowhere near as simple as the website video makes it out to be. Not that I need it to be THAT simple, but all the discussions about Vera1, Vera2, UI2, UI3 …which is better/more solid, 979, 988, 985, old version is better than new version, visa versa, etc , it kind of leaves your head spinning.

To quote mario23… “I think I still want this but I have to admit I’m getting nervous…” and “I would love to see the site updated and learn more about UI4 and its possible release date to ease my tension!!!”

Also, another small item… On the MCV shopping site (shop.micasaverde.com) Vera is listed ($299.00), and then there is the Vera 10 pack ($2990.00). The descriptions are exactly the same (well, 10 pack shows the old version). What comes with the 10 pack?? What do you get for the extra $2691??

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Also, another small item... On the MCV shopping site (shop.micasaverde.com) Vera is listed ($299.00), and then there is the Vera 10 pack ($2990.00). The descriptions are exactly the same (well, 10 pack shows the old version). What comes with the 10 pack??[b] What do you get for the extra $2691[/b]??

…9 additional units…

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[quote=“CCC, post:13, topic:165788”]Hello all,

I am in the same boat as jackpot and totally agree with mario23. I too have been watching the MCV website and following this forum for months. The lack of updates on the website is discouraging. Vera looks like a great unit and is exactly what I’m looking for in every way, but watching all the discussions on this forum, it seems as though Vera is nowhere near as simple as the website video makes it out to be. Not that I need it to be THAT simple, but all the discussions about Vera1, Vera2, UI2, UI3 …which is better/more solid, 979, 988, 985, old version is better than new version, visa versa, etc , it kind of leaves your head spinning.

To quote mario23… “I think I still want this but I have to admit I’m getting nervous…” and “I would love to see the site updated and learn more about UI4 and its possible release date to ease my tension!!!”

Also, another small item… On the MCV shopping site (shop.micasaverde.com) Vera is listed ($299.00), and then there is the Vera 10 pack ($2990.00). The descriptions are exactly the same (well, 10 pack shows the old version). What comes with the 10 pack?? What do you get for the extra $2691??[/quote]

I would assume you get 9 more Veras. Seems like there might have been some price break for 10, though.

FWIW, I bought a Vera (1) for our new house that was proving to be X10-proof. We’ve done nothing ambitious so far–light switches, a few appliance modules, SQ Connect iPhone app. It was all silly-easy so far, and has been highly reliable. We’re on UI2, 995 firmware. We’re not using Vera as a router, just as a Z-wave control box with smarts. We’re both software engineers, and will try more exotic stuff as time goes on. But as a drop-in replacement for our X10 usage model from prior homes, it’s been great. The devices are more expensive, but it’s nice not to fret about the whole thing going south when you plug in a new wall-wart, which was always an adventure with X10.

I wish there was a broader palette of Z-wave devices. The MCV folks have tried to make that a non-issue by supporting a pile of non-Z-wave devices and pseudo devices with varying degrees of success. I think this is cool, and pretty ambitious, and am not surprised that they are finding out that this world of abstract devices (and many Z-wave devices) has enough corner cases to make a snowflake jealous.

I do too much bleeding edge stuff for work to do it as a hobby. I’m happy to use our Vera for the 80/20 stuff that works really well for now. It makes me feel a bit lazy, as a lot of the forum members here are beating on the platform in ways that will make it better for all of us over time.

–Richard

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Also, another small item... On the MCV shopping site (shop.micasaverde.com) Vera is listed ($299.00), and then there is the Vera 10 pack ($2990.00). The descriptions are exactly the same (well, 10 pack shows the old version). What comes with the 10 pack?? What do you get for the extra $2691??

OK, I guess that was an idiot moment. When I saw ‘10 pack’ I figured you got a Vera and an assortment of z-wave devices… I can’t decide if I want to buy 1 Vera, let alone 10 Veras. I guess builders/developers might want to do that. It does seem as though you should get a price break at 10…

Thanks for your reply rlmalisz. It sounds like your doing exactly what I would like to do (for a start anyway). I’m glad to hear that Vera has been easy and reliable. I still think I’m going to wait until UI4 is released… or maybe not.

The saving grace of the MCV website is this forum! Thanks to everyone on here for putting Vera through it’s paces and posting your findings/questions/answers/thoughts. It’s a great help for us newbies! I probably wouldn’t even consider purchasing a Vera without all the feedback from this forum.

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I’m still torn on the whole Vera1 vs Vera2 thing.
Should I be that concerned???
That dongle sure seems like a convenient option.
Where are the admins???
I think we have all asked good questions here considering we are supporters looking for a little reassurance that things will work out here…

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I’m a relatively new user so I’ve only had any experience with the Vera2 (no dongle). That being said, I find it quite convenient to add devices via the full power mode without ever having to touch the vera. All of the switches and sensors that I have added to my home have been done this way with no problems. Some devices do (apparently) require low power inclusion and thus direct proximity to the Vera such as handheld remotes, but these are easy enough to take to the vera instead of the other way around.

There will be a time when you have to unplug the unit, connect it to the battery and bring it to the room with your new device I’m sure, but in my experience this will be very rare. The added benefit of Vera 2 (eg. pairing with Schlage locks) outweigh the potential convenience of the dongle in my opinion. Take that as you will however, as I’ve said I haven’t used the old method.

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Hi,

The 10 pack offer is for simplifying the order for the dealers/installers.

After about half year since we’ve adopted Vera 2, with built-in z-wave module, we are positive that we made the right choice. Just the hassle of exchanging frozen dongles over and over is enough for us and the customers. Now, we don’t have any complain about the z-wave controller anymore.

And like @fall-line said, it’s really easy to add devices with or without the battery pack.

@mario23: It’s a fact that it’s more convenient to add devices using the dongle, but if problems appear with the dongle and you are remotely, there’s no way to do something about it. You have to unplug the dongle (or ask a friend to go over your house and do it) and then maybe it will work. And think of the worst case scenario: you have to send the dongle back for a replacement (replacement program which has ended), wait a few days (1 week) to get it back. I fully understand the frustration of the customers when their Home Automation system is just a plastic box sitting in the closet.

Like I said before, the Vera 2 is by far a better solution, not only from the perspective of the Z-Wave built-in module, but more storage space (ROM), battery pack, ability to reset the z-wave chip.

I hope that your concerns will end soon with the final release of UI4 and new servers structure.

Thanks!

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Thanks for your reply…just looking for a little reassurance