I just bought a Vera gateway with the idea of using it to control my existing Insteon lighting controls while I gradually replace them with ZWave versions. I have been using Mac home automation software with a 2414U Insteon powerline controller.
The 2414U isn’t usable with the Vera firmware build I have because it shows up as a HID device rather than a serial I/O device. However, there is a driver available for the 2414U plus a couple of other X10 controllers that have a USB interface:
Is there any kind soul out there who is already set up to build OpenWRT software and can try building this driver?
Now, I should ask, are you using the latest (Luup-enabled) Vera firmware, namely revision 862?
If so, there’s already the possibility of Vera interacting with Insteon and X10 through a powerline modem such as the 2412U or 2412S, as MCV told us earlier this month. However, more specifics and some documentation will be forthcoming with the soon-to-be-released next firmware revision.
So, stand by. The short answer is definitely: “Yes, you can!” But you will also have to get the requisite Luup Plug-in for Vera to know how to behave.
But we may not be able to re-use just a PLC like the 2414U, or CM11A or CM15A, as these are PC interface controllers, not merely X10/Insteon modems. It’s unclear which one(s) Vera will support. Stay tuned!!
I’m not sure I would count myself as an X10 “enthusiast”. But I would like to re-use my existing controller. I’m using firmware revision 862.
Without the USB driver the Luup plugin won’t be able to communicate with the device, so that is a prerequisite for any solution. I don’t think MCV really expects users to build native code, so I think I may be on my own here.
On re-reading my earlier reply and your answer to it, I think I was unclear about this:
Firmware revision 862 (and later) DOES support X10, requiring only an Insteon/X10 PLM to interface Vera with your powerline. At this time, we know a 2412U or 2412S (serial) modem should work, but MCV has not said whether other interfaces like the 2414U might work. [UPDATE: The 2414 will not work with Vera!] [UPDATE #2: MCV recently agreed to consider more development, when they have the time and resources, which may allow the CM11A or CM15A, etc. to act as a Vera-to-X10 bridge.]
Furthermore, the necessary Luup plug-in already exists and is ready for you to try. All that’s really missing, I’m told, is better documentation.
So, start trying it out. I will be doing the same, trying out my CM11A just to see if that PLC (non-modem) interface might work with Vera. [UPDATE: No.]
I did try plugging my 2414U into my Vera, but it doesn’t show up as a device in the web interface. The problem is that it isn’t a USB-to-serial interface, so the Linux kernel doesn’t have a device driver for it and Luup can’t talk to it. The CM15A will have the same problem.
The device driver I mentioned in my original post provides a way for Luup to talk to the 2414U, but the protocol is also different from a straight powerline modem. That’s the part that can be solved by writing a Luup plugin, but without the USB device driver Luup doesn’t know the device exists.
I’m willing to hack on a Luup plugin to get this to work, but I’d rather not have to set up the software environment required to build a Linux device driver. In fact, I was kind of hoping that someone from MCV might compile the driver and make it available for experimentation, or even include it in a future beta release of the firmware. I’d understand if they are working on other things at the moment, though.
(At some point it would just be easier to order a 2412U, but I’m not ready to give up yet!)
curtisg, I definitely applaud your maverick spirit.
Like you, I’m game for experimentation, but can quickly see how this rapidly becomes a “What is your time worth?” question.
In fact, if I could somehow find a PLC Insteon/X10 modem for cheap online, I’d buy it … right now, I simply resent spending MORE money on X10 to resurrect my old modules.
I’m sure the folks at MCV hear us loud and clear, but yes, definitely have their hands full all around for now. Thanks for keeping the spirit alive.
Actually, I expect the CM11A (which is a 9-pin serial RS232 device) may fare better than your USB-based 2414U … because RS232 is a fairly ‘dumb’ protocol/interface. Although the USB-to-serial adapter cable I ordered two weeks ago is still not here, I will be surprised if Vera “senses” the cable or CM11A once I plug them in.
Will definitely keep you posted the moment I try.
[UPDATE: As noted by MCV, a PLC like my CM11A will not work with Vera. For testing purposes, I also tried setting up the CM11A with a PC using a USB-to-RS232 (serial) cable, and it did not work. Either my CM11A is broken (possible), or its control software, ActiveHome 1.42d, just refused to use the pseudo-COM1: or COM2: port (likely).]
You need the 2412U, or the 2412S and a FutureElectronics USB->RS232 adapter. The 2414U won’t work–it’s an Insteon controller (not a modem) and uses a different protocol.
Can I get away with using the 2412S through a Prolific PL-2303 based USB-to-serial cable? It’s brand new and cost about 1/4 the FutureElectronics one you mentioned… But now you’re making me think Vera only speaks a particular “driver talk” to a certain cable by a specific manufacturer. :-/
The number of usb->serial ports that are truly rock solid under Linux is limited. I’ve tried some others and had problems with dropped characters. It seems to be bugs in the kernel module. So we recommended the one which we know works well. You can try another one. Just manually edit the ‘port’ setting for the Insteon interface.
Which EXACT product model are you recommending, then, from Future Electronics?
I notice they have an abundance of choices at their website, and frankly, I’ve grown tired of guessing my way through this project, only to find I’ve spent unnecessary money, effort and time for such a simple goal (plugging something into Vera).
So, at this point, any SPECIFIC part no. or ordering info would be quite welcome.
Thank you…
P.S. Despite my initial zeal about former X10 users migrating to Vera to preserve their old investment, I strongly believe that the several hurdles involved, and the complexity of setting up hardware (without rigorous documentation) might scare a lot of them away. Trust me, X10 users and Linux gurus are two groups that have not overlapped terribly much, historically.
I’m not exactly in the loop here on Lua, so I’m not sure if this is useful info, but I did write a basic LMCE driver for the 2414U a few years ago. For low-level communications I used Bob Paauwe’s driver that he used as part of his ilinks project. It uses hiddev to communicate with a 2414U.
Just to be crystal clear, despite anything else you may have read, MCV explicitly stated that only the 2412S and 2412U (both are PLM models) are supported for use with Vera.
ONLY the 2412 (USB, or serial/RS232 with Future Technologies adapter cable UC232R-10)!
Anything else … the CM11A, CM15A, 2414N, 2414S, 2414U etc. … is NOT supported at this time. Just don’t throw yours away, for it would be nice if Vera learned to play with them one day. I’m certain MCV is aware of the world of opportunities this would open up for everyone!
No, I’m stymied by my lack of a (proper? working?) USB-to-serial cable, after buying the #8757 from DealExtreme. I’ve begun plans to obtain a Future Technologies UC232R-10 cable, as per MCV’s recommendation (which I wish I’d known about from the outset!).
I wasted three weeks and $15 (not to mention several delivery SNAFU’s by my post office) just getting the “wrong” cable! Will let you know how things turn out.
But I would like to re-use my existing controller. I’m using firmware revision 862.