I have about 65 devices (if i count everything listed on devices, including child devices) now on my Veralite, and just read it can only handle 70, so looks as if i need to upgrade if i get any more stuff. I also have 1 or 2 devices where i have the occasional communication problem (outside motion sensors), and from the micasaverde website it looks as if the Vera 3 might have a stronger zwave tyransponder, so would reach further or is that wrong ? Also has the Vera 3 more processing power, the Veralite interface seems quite slow to me…
Memory is the biggest limiting factor for any of the Vera products.
And running low of memory will slow down ALL processing.
As I recall Vera3 and VeraLite have the same processor … and probably the same Z-Wave interface, but twice the memory.
If you want more range you should look at putting an external antennae on the device.
It will void your warranty … but you can double your range.
Unless things are not working, I would wait until Vera4 comes out … I hope for another doubling or more of memory!
I have a few strange devices which i could try to get rid of, nort sure if they count towards the overall devices. I have 8 rfx remote devices, i think all being created with lightwaverf and x10 devices i have. Would that free up memory ? I also have 3 light devices, like this RFX Light L5.0/F31742/13 (similar) which i have not created, and not sure what they do… So i could get rid of those too
How would i fit an external antenna, is there anything in the forum of how to do that ?
There is a LOT of overhead for a device … I have not looked at the overhead for child devices …
Search works for things like external antennae!
thanks, great thread, antenna ordered… will see how i get on upgrading it
Hi @RTS,
By ‘device’ do you mean (Z-wave) nodes or any device?
I only ask as I have a lot of devices, many (like RFX switches etc.) just sit there, so I assumed they were basically dormant, where as a Z-Wave node is waking up, checking for updates or relaying information etc.?
As I have a Veralite too, I’m curious if I might be approaching a limit
(I’ve already bought the add on antenna etc.)
ZWaves are medium weight … Most plugins are heavy weight: (PLEG, PLTS, Combo, Virtual Switch, Vera Alerts, Push, Sonos …)
I am not sure about the RFX child devices … I believe controlled children devices will be lighter weight if they are strictly controlled by their parent.
how far off is this?
There has been no information on this. Your guess is good as ours.
- Garrett
how far off is this?[/quote]
[quote=“garrettwp, post:9, topic:174767”]There has been no information on this. Your guess is good as ours.
- Garrett[/quote]
Still no info on Vera4? Should I wait? Is there any mod for adding RAM to Vera?
What we used to do when we were running vera2 ist to add a swap partition on an usb-stick to give it some more memory to work with. I have never used this for vera3, but from the vera2 I do remember performance improvements. Maybe it’s worth a try. But before you try, install the SystemMonitor Plugin and see if it really is about the RAM.
Search the forum, there are explanations for this available:
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=8883.0
http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=8959.0
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:2, topic:174767”]Memory is the biggest limiting factor for any of the Vera products.
And running low of memory will slow down ALL processing.
As I recall Vera3 and VeraLite have the same processor … and probably the same Z-Wave interface, but twice the memory.
If you want more range you should look at putting an external antennae on the device.
It will void your warranty … but you can double your range.
Unless things are not working, I would wait until Vera4 comes out … I hope for another doubling or more of memory![/quote]
hang on… when is the Vera4 coming out and will there be a Vera4lite?
No one knows. Your guess is as good as ours.
- Garrett
I probably wouldn’t wait. This is the email I got earlier this week when I inquired about product release dates and specs. (see below)
Phil,
We don’t have anything definitive on the roadmap for 2014. However the
Vera3 can handle any size z-wave network. The maximum capacity for a
z-wave network (by the nature of the protocol) is 232 nodes but in fact we
see networks of 100 or so nodes on one gateway experiencing latency
because of the number of hops. We generally see customers with over 100 to
125 nodes using 2 Veras that they bridge over IP.
Lew Brown
President
So, back to the topic question, regarding an upgrade from Veralite to Vera3. My HA network consists of about 45 devices, 1/2 of which are z-wave. Do I need to do a backup and a z-wave network backup to restore to the Vera3.
Thanks,
You backup the the Z-Wave network first.
Then you backup your Vera Lite. This backup always contains the most recent Z-Wave backup you made.
In this case it should be from a few minutes earlier.
Then save the backup on your local computer.
Unplug the Vera Lite … and Do not plug it in again … while your new Vera 3 is running!!! (At least not in Z-Wave radio range with your house)
Restore this backup on your Vera 3 … Select restore Z-Wave network option.
Thank you, kind sir! One more question - the Veralite will go to a friend. Do I need to do anything special to prepare it for him to use, such are clearing it out of the mios database?
Thanks again
You may want to include a bottle of tylenol (or Scotch) with your gift… ;D
seriously, nice gift. My friends just borrow my tools and keep them.
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:16, topic:174767”]You backup the the Z-Wave network first.
Then you backup your Vera Lite. This backup always contains the most recent Z-Wave backup you made.
In this case it should be from a few minutes earlier.
Then save the backup on your local computer.
Unplug the Vera Lite … and Do not plug it in again … while your new Vera 3 is running!!! (At least not in Z-Wave radio range with your house)
Restore this backup on your Vera 3 … Select restore Z-Wave network option.[/quote]
Do the Veralite and Vera 3 have to be the same firmware version when you do this? I guess If I buy a Vera 3 today there is a good chance it is on UI6 right? Is the backup from Veralite UI5 compatible? (Some plugins are of course not working correctly on UI6 yet but besides that).
Yes, they are one in the same. A backup from Vera Lite will work on Vera 3 as long as they are on the same firmware.
- Garrett