Vera2 Exchange Program Discussion

Community Playground General Discussions
1

So to my dismay I see the Vera 1 is being pushed into Obsolescence by UI4. I am not happy since:

  1. I rely on Vera as my only router and wi-fi hot spot and stfp server with a USB flash drive plugged in. It is a VERY low power device that adequately serves all of my needs so I am not compelled to replace the Vera and add more HW

  2. It’s also in a Closet with a lot of EMI that I can work around by extending the USB dongle out of and extend a wi-fi antenna from as well. I like that the Vera 1 gave me that flexibility. If I switch to a Vera2 I will have to get another dedicated router and move the Vera 2 within range of my Schlage Locks

  3. The Exchange period is really short 9/30/10, not enough time to see if I can make Vera 2 work if I choose to make the jump

  4. Once again micasa is short on documentation and they are only saying that Vera 1 users “will experience some limitations. For example, the new setup wizard is built around Vera 2, as is the new documentation.”

If I were to translate that directly it means I can’t Use the new setup wizard (which I do not intend to) and the Documentation will be lacking (Not much new there either). So it sounds like the core should be fine, and Vera 1 should be fine, so is the push to Vera 2 just to provide better support? Does that mean that Vera 1 should be ok minus a few bells and whistles?

Micasa, I know you are busy and I applaud your efforts, but can you provide a better delta between the two as I have no immediate intention of retiring my Vera1. It’s exactly what I need in HW, the 979 SW is stable enough. Please tell me I can keep Vera1. I would like to upgrade to UI4 and am ok with less features, but I need the core engine to be stable.

Couldn’t you do what dd-wrt does and provide stripped down versions? For instance I have the 2MB Micro version of DD-WRT running on a travel linksys router. While the Mega DD-WRT build require 8MB. In fact, the Asus router in Vera 1 is a very popular platform for the Mega Build that includes everything but the kitchen sink. I just feel that there is a middle ground somewhere that will let Vera 1 live on.

2

Is there a migration path for vera 1 users to vera 2 since the devices are stored in the EEprom on the dongle? Can you back up the dongle and do a restore to the new vera2?

3

Shouldn’t the Back-Up Dongle and Controller shifts do this? Or are you saying you have to rebuild your entire network?

4

Personally, I think this offer is very generous. There’s no requirement for users to upgrade, but those choosing to take advantage of the offer can do so for a modest price. I can’t recall too many companies that have ever given this level of offer… I have probably a dozen routers in the closest that are now feeling left out :wink:

I have a Vera1, and have been running the UI4 Beta’s for quite a while now, including a medium sized ZWave Network alongside 5-6 plugins for various things (Weather, Alarm Panels, TV, Amp, etc, etc) and UI4 works just fine.

As far as I can see, there’s no real loss of functionality for running it under Vera1… unless you need the upgrade to the OpenWRT revision. You might want this, for security, if you’re choosing to use it as as your primary point of defense in your Network. Then again, people that cautious about security wouldn’t run Vera as their Primary Router…

For my specific usage of Vera, the change will give me headroom to develop & deploy the “larger” plugin(s) that I’m working on, along with extend the functionality of the existing ones, without having to worry about maxing out the memory… which I have nearly done on a few occasions.

YMMV.

1. I rely on Vera as my only router and wi-fi hot spot and stfp server with a USB flash drive plugged in. It is a VERY low power device that adequately serves all of my needs so I am not compelled to replace the Vera and add more HW

Great, then sounds like you continue with your Vera 1…

2. It's also in a Closet with a lot of EMI that I can work around by extending the USB dongle out of and extend a wi-fi antenna from as well. I like that the Vera 1 gave me that flexibility. If I switch to a Vera2 I will have to get another dedicated router and move the Vera 2 within range of my Schlage Locks

I currently do something similar. I plan to “extend” the internal Antenna of the Vera2 using a U.FL → RPSMA Pigtail, so I can add a standard [900Mhz] external antenna to it.

When I’ve done it, I’ll post pics in case anyone has the same situation (and is feeling handy with a Drill, and doesn’t mind voiding their warranty!)

Looking at V2’s internals, it should be a 15 minute job to add an External antenna to it… something maybe the HW manufacturer should consider for their OEM box…

3. The Exchange period is really short 9/30/10, not enough time to see if I can make Vera 2 work if I choose to make the jump

I took the leap of faith, I think it’s a ton of time. If I cannot cutover in days, there’s something wrong.

4. Once again micasa is short on documentation and they are only saying that Vera 1 users "will experience some limitations. For example, the new setup wizard is built around Vera 2, as is the new documentation."

Nothing to write about here. From what I’ve seen of the new Wizard, it’s targeted at Newbie installs. I’ve used the Wizard, the only “trick” is that all the images presented througout “reference” (show) the Vera2 lights and sockets.

Given what you have hanging out of your V1, this won’t be a big loss. You’ll also be on the same OpenWRT version you’re currently on, whereas the Vera2’s get an upgrade there. Again, probably no loss here for most users.

Is there a migration path for vera 1 users to vera 2 since the devices are stored in the EEprom on the dongle? Can you back up the dongle and do a restore to the new vera2?

and here’s the quote fro the link that MCV provided in the announcements section…

After receiving your Vera 2, remember to backup your settings from the Advanced Backup tab, disconnect your Vera 1, and restore the settings on your Vera 2 being sure to check the box to restore the ZWave firmware. Then send your Vera 1 (complete with dongle) back to:
5

Thanks for the perspective Guessed.

I think I might pick up Vera2 and also keep Vera 1. Mainly because I am a hoarder, but also so I can play with having multiple Veras on the same network (a work around for Z-Wave’s limitations on larger installations). Eventually I could use Vera1 at a relatives house, etc.

If I am reading that correctly, that is an option right? MCV just would never credit my card if I never returned Vera1.

I also would hate giving up my USB dongle, I love that thing. Even if Vera 2 never supports the Aeon stick, it could still be used to go around and delete/remove/reset devices, correct?

The way I understand it, is that the devices pair to the Z-Wave chip, so there would be no way of adding devices with the Aeon stick and copying them over to Vera2 would there? If you can do it through a backup there should be some way…right???

6

@Guessed - So It seems like I am the conservative one of the bunch. I appreciate the trailblazers like yourself, but I just don’t have the time. I’ll be out a week and half in August and 2 weeks in September, so while 9/30 may seem reasonable for many, it’s just not for me with the many things I’m juggling. I can see why you would need more HW resources for development, but production systems should be engineered to use just enough resources and I would hope Vera1 has enough. I will stick with my Vera1 for now and pray the UI4 core will be supported and stable. Hopefully there will be enough user requests to merit a Vera1 fork in development. Btw, I agree that it is a great gesture that they are offering any kind of exchange.

It is nice to know that there are much bigger and dedicated geeks than me with a stake in this and your experience will add value when I’m ready to upgrade. :slight_smile:

It would be nice to know exactly what I would be missing and what performance degradation I would suffer from though.

7

[quote=“tt55du, post:6, topic:166303”]I’ll be out a week and half in August and 2 weeks in September, so while 9/30 may seem reasonable for many, it’s just not for me with the many things I’m juggling. [/quote]Perhaps if you email them with your time predicament then they might oblige you with a bit of an extension perhaps?

8

MCV: I think more information about what keeping our Vera 1’s is appropriate. PLEASE tell us EXACTLY what we will be facing IF we KEEP the Vera 1’s you sold us this winter, while you changed the product.

Like all things Vera your latest information is lacking and the thought of being left dangling in the breeze with our 1’s is scary.

9

I have to agree with SteveO123. I don’t fully understand, in detail, what the Vera 2 can do with UI4 that the Vera 1 cannot. On one hand, the MCV statement sounds like Vera 1 will continue to work OK yet with caveats. On the other, it feels like Vera 1 will soon be a legacy product that will not continue to be supported as UI4 evolves.

I am committed to Zwave for the long run, and while the MCV deal seems reasonable, I’m not at all clear what I gain by trading my Vera 1 for a Vera 2 or what I will lose by sticking with Vera 1 in the long run. MCV, please be more specific on the tradeoffs. A side-by-side table of functionality and performance between the Veras would be extremely useful in making this decision and strengthening your credibility going forward.

10

I think the MCV deal is fair. All products lifetime. The early vera addopters deserve a break for sticking with the product and contributing to it’s growth. I contrast this deal to how everyone who bought VISTA got screwed by microsoft.

I am bummed about losing my dongle and LAN ports. I have a NAS and printer plugged into vera 1.

Does anyone know know the difference in specs between the two boxes (specifically differences in memory and processor)?

11

I do not remember where I read this but Micasa has stated they will be supporting both units with UI 4 for a long time. So for Vera 1 users they should not have to worry. UI 4 is looking good and so far seems pretty stable.

  • Garrett
12

What about us European users?? Do we have the same deal?

13

[quote=“garrettwp, post:11, topic:166303”]I do not remember where I read this but Micasa has stated they will be supporting both units with UI 4 for a long time. So for Vera 1 users they should not have to worry. UI 4 is looking good and so far seems pretty stable.

  • Garrett[/quote]

Is UI4 actually released for Vera 1 yet? To help make the decision on whether to upgrade to Vera 2 should depend, in large part, on just how well UI4 works on a Vera 1.

14

Does anyone know if there is a way to see your Vera1 serial # remotely for the exchange program?

15

Isn’t the 4 digit one that it tells you that you’ve connected to enough?

16

[quote=“mdconnelly, post:13, topic:166303”][quote=“garrettwp, post:11, topic:166303”]I do not remember where I read this but Micasa has stated they will be supporting both units with UI 4 for a long time. So for Vera 1 users they should not have to worry. UI 4 is looking good and so far seems pretty stable.

  • Garrett[/quote]

Is UI4 actually released for Vera 1 yet? To help make the decision on whether to upgrade to Vera 2 should depend, in large part, on just how well UI4 works on a Vera 1.[/quote]

I am going to bet that this is just a precursor to updates not working at all on Vera 1, so I wuld not use this first version to determine whether or not Vera 1 is Ok for you. If you have Vera 1 count on no new updates, changes or features beyond what you currently have. If that is OK do not upgrade, if that is not what you want and you want access to newer versions which may contain newer features then upgrade to the Vera 2. JMHO.

17

Strangley, I’m not sure if that’s the whole serial number, but I do know the 4 digit number of each of the Vera’s because when I get an notification from find vera it’s on it. Have you looked at your unit to see if that’s all that is on your Vera for a serial number?

18

Ok, Just looked on the bottom of my Vera1 and under serial#, the only thing that prefixes the serial is the word Vera -

I would say the four digits is enough.

19

Strangely, Thanks for your help. I’m flying back for only a couple days to have access to the Vera’s so I needed to get the new ones before getting there.

20

get a new vera for 120 bucks and keep my old one for beta testing and experimenting, oh hell yea, as they say in Platoon, “take the pain!” I’m in 8)