I?m trying to make a decision on a home automation controller, so please forgive me in advance for the multiple posts. For whatever its worth, the competing products I?m considering are: Almond+, SmartThings, and ScoutAlarm. Feel free to punch holes in my considerations.
Regarding home security, I want to be able to arm and disarm door/window censors when leaving and entering the house. I?ve already bought a pair of Kwikset locks. Is it possible to disarm the censors when the code is properly entered? I know Vera works with DSC control panels, but it seems redundant to enter one code to enter the door and another code to disable my DIY alarm system. Any suggestions?
As far as network security, I?m a little dubious about the communication between my controller and a Mi Casa server somewhere. Can the controller be run from a local server, and if so, can you point me to some helpful resources on how to set this up? I?ve thought of going with HomeSeer for this reason but have noticed people switch from HomeSeer to MCV, not the other way around.
Thanks so much in advance.
Yes, you can enable a scene to arm/disarm your alarm system based on another event such as your door…
The Vera does not have to be connected to MCV is has its embedded functions but the connection to MCV is secure and provides a greater scope for use such as 3rd party apps for both Andriod and iOS.
Buy a proper alarm system anyway. Preferably with wired sensors. For one, are they a lot cheaper, which means you can put more in your house and hence automate more things. Remember that your sensors are useful even when you are in your house. Proper alarm systems also have tamper detection and will usually work off a battery even when the power is off. If you don’t want to deal with double-entry of PINs then you can create scenes that disarm the alarm system when a correct PIN is typed into the door lock.
You don’t have to use the remote access servers at mios.com, indeed, you can disable the SSL tunnel if you are paranoid. If you are happy to run a VPN server on your home network then you can access Vera from anywhere. (Do NOT just forward ports.) For most users that’s too much to learn and the mios.com remote access servers are good enough. But you’ve got the choice.
Hello Rahl620,
You do not need to use different codes to arm/disarm your door and alarm system when using Vera.
Here’s a link that may help you:-
http://www.smartliving.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127
This thread demonstrates how you configure your alarm system using a motion sensor, siren and Vera Lite automated home controller.
Hope this help!!