Hi Guys,
I’m a still-to-convert (but eager to get away) X10 user. I’m more of the DIY/“light” geek type, but still, despite the lack of tweaking capabilities, it seems like a great device, with all that one needs for basic home automation.
Now, I’m gonna be the devil’s advocate ;D
Despite the great hardware, software and dedicated team, I don’t trust Home Automation ventures. Especially here in old Europe, I can’t count how many startups have failed after launching “server” related services (home automation, wifi rabits and whatnots…).
I do not wish any of that to MiCasaVerde, but if, it that was to happen, I would like to understand exactly which functions are server related vs. which are really handled by “the box”. If you don’t want to think about the worst, let’s just imagine the internet connection is down…
[ul][li]Will all scenes and event still work?[/li]
[li]Will email notifications still work?[/li]
[li]Is there a Web-UI that is integrated in the box, and that can be accessed directly without FindVera.com?[/li]
[li]Say I use SQ remote, does it connect directly to my fixed-IP Vera, or does it depend on some servers somewhere?[/li][/ul]
Thanks for your answers guys!
I am impatiently waiting on the feedback on the MIOS software once it is finally released, and see how it competes with the Vera box. As said, I like tweaking…but I think this time I may go for an option that doesn’t prevent me from switching on my lights if my Mac Mini is stuck 
Hi Pierre.bln
Vera can work great without internet connection.
- This functionality will work great since we implemented the possibility to change the date and time on Vera without internet connection.
- This won’t work. We rely on SMS gateways and email servers, like almost any application do.
- The UI of Vera is loaded on the Vera itself. There are few sections which requires internet to display, but those are not trivial to the functionality of Vera.
- Yes, it’s working on local network as well.
From the beginning, Vera was designed to work with or without internet connection. But it’s a fact that some functionality won’t be available without a internet connection such as: email/sms notifications, online events tracking, remote control of your home, store surveillance footage on the secure servers we provide (in future, it will be possible to store this footage on other type of storage devices) and probably other services that I forgot to mention now.
And an answer to your last statement, all the devices have the possibility to control them physically, without a z-wave/x10 controller, so they don’t depend on PCs,Macs, Vera or other servers.
I hope this clarifies your problems.
Regards,
MiCasaVerde Team.
ON your last point regarding MIOS vs. VERA I wouldn’t pay to much attention to. I’m very new to this but from what I can tell the MIOS software is what VERA already uses.
Am I wrong there?
Pierre,
It may be worth noting for you that you can also setup your scenes/events to notify you using alternative methods (direct SMTP email, twitter, etc) so if you are really concerned about keeping total independence from MCV’s central servers, it can be done. It’ll take a little tweaking to get each notification setup individually whereas the built in notifications (via MCV’s servers) are as easy as ticking a box that says notify me.
Bottom line, you have options. MCV provides a great service with findvera.com, but even if they were to pull the plug on that entirely, you’ll be able to achieve full functionality from your vera.
SQRemote can connect directly to your Vera’s IP on the local lan, directly to your vera via port forwarding from the internet, or through the findvera.com service.
MIOS as a concept seems to still be largely undefined (at least publicly). The working theory [url=http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=3132.15y]http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php?topic=3132.15y[/url] is that MIOS is the software and logic that is running on the Vera, but that there will eventually also be MIOS versions for other platforms beyond embedded linux… The Vera unit uses less power and is arguably more stable due to it’s embedded design and single purpose configuration than most user supplied hardware.
I hope this helps.
Thanks for the quick reply mcvovidiu, and thanks fall-line for added info (I am glad to hear direct SMTP is possible).
@mcvovidiu
I have no doubt the online services are handy, and actually, they seem very reasonably priced if I go for the Vera Actually, you are not falling into the trap some startups have made (at least in France and Germany): offering totally free services with the hardware. People forget the services they don’t pay, they don’t acknowledge their value… and soon they under-use the device.
Just to say this was really more of a “worst case scenario sustainability” question, than a wish to avoid MiCasaVerde at all costs!
A last question (a bit out of topic):
Do you know if the Qees Power switch’s power meter function is supported in Vera? (I have found posts here that weren’t clear about it, Vera seems to focus on “power assessment” rather than actual power measure from modules that integrate the function).
Well, I’m really pleased that you asked this. We have in the office the Qees Power 0300002 which is reporting great on the new UI4. It’s very accurate and the graphs on the new servers are looking great too. So, the answer is YES, we support the Qees and in case one of their device it’s not supported, we will add support in less than 4 weeks a user reports it or we get the hands on one.
Thanks!