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dcrera
Comfort Installers
| Joined: | Monday Aug 7th, 2006 |
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Posted: Thursday Dec 28th, 2006 07:04 am |
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Hi,
If I attached a wireless RS232 Adaptor to my serial UCM, would I be able to communicate with the UCM from a wireless PDA/Laptop ?
Did anyone try this or similar ?
I am looking for comms support WITHOUT having a PC powered on 24/7/365.
Check this out http://www.wcscnet.com/HdwBTRS232.htm
Thanks
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adlim
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Posted: Thursday Dec 28th, 2006 07:58 am |
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Hi,
If it is able to duplicate the signals accurately, it should be able to work.
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garym999
Comfort Installers
| Joined: | Saturday Aug 19th, 2006 |
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Posted: Tuesday Jan 9th, 2007 07:53 pm |
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Bit late on a reply so don't know if it is still relevant.
Using your method should work but might require detailed configuration of the RS232 virtual comm port SW to ensure reliable communications.
If your laptop or PDA is already WiFi equipped I'd look at installing an UCM/Ethernet. Then over the WLAN you could communicate with the system using Comfigurator or Wizcomfort, If you did not want app SW on the PC or need to use the PDA then the Webserver UCM (CWM01) would better fit the bill. The other advantage of this route is that you can then access comfort remotley over the internet, router/firewall allowing.
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 06:44 am |
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Gary,
I have a Asus R2h umpc with touch interface and wireless connectivity and I want 2 way control to Comfort (lighting, security, gates etc) WITHOUT a host PC (server of sorts); how can I achieve this ?
Is it possible to connect a wireless hub to the UCM/Ethernet ?
Thanks
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garym999
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 09:25 am |
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Thats nice...
So first you need to get Comfort on to the network. The Comfort UCM would then become the server if you like. Comfort's network options are:
UCM/Ethernet - Essentially this is UCM01 (serial interface) with a Tibbo serial to ethernet RS232 adaptor on board. This then allows you to use the network connect options in WizComfort or Configurator to program & run Comfort. You would need to be sure that these products will run under XP Tablet. I have no experience of this but do not see why they should not work. However neither of these apps are optimised for touch screen operation. If you felt really adventurous and were up for programming I do not see why you could not create you own large screen interface using the serial I/O command set
UCM/CWM- This is probably most suited to your application. As it will serve webpages to your web browser (IE etc.). As well as using Comfigurator etc. All that the client needs (UMPC) is Java virtual machine installed. This will need programmng to create the required web pages for your configuration.
Not knowing your LAN layout I cannot be specific on the network configuration. But the basics are, connect Comfort to your LAN via an ethernet cable to a network switch or ADSL router. Alternativley you can replace the cable with a wireless access point connecting comfort to your LAN via wireless. Obvoiusly the devices will need network configuration (IP addresses etc.)
Personnally I would start with a wired connection to configure and test then when happy switch it over the Access Point.
Word of caution... If you are going wireless ensure that you have encryption on otherwise someone could potentilay sit outside the property, connect the the WLAN and then access Comfort!
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garym999
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 09:55 am |
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| The attached PDF might give a more visual idea... Attachment: Comfort Netwoking.pdf (Downloaded 31 times)
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 10:17 am |
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Gary,
Thank you for this comprehensive feed back.
I have done a lot of work on RS232 side using UCM01. I have done extensive two way comms with Comfort using Mainlobby (a touchscreen interface software) and works great
I would like to give the UCM/Ethernet option a shot since 'most' of the work has been done.
In brief, adding a wireless access point to the UCM/Ethernet will give me a 'wireless Ucm' ?
Thanks again
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 10:39 am |
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Gary,
Please comment on this thread
http://www.comfortforums.com/forum20/429.html
Thanks again
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garym999
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 11:22 am |
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Yep, Wireless access point and away you go. I have mine hardwired to the LAN but can access it remotely over the internet or via WLAN, works a treat.
As for the other thread, those devices look smart, although at the bleeding edge. I'm yet to be convinced that any Microsoft based Home PC option should be relied on for critical applications unless there is a way to lock it down. The ones described there would be perfectly suitable and if a comfort IF were available that would work to as long as access to the main keypad was still available should the worst happen.
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 11:44 am |
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Hi,
Can I upgrade my UCM01 with a Tibbo ethernet to serial module ?
Thanks
Last edited on Thursday Jan 18th, 2007 12:39 pm by dcrera
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slychiu
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Posted: Friday Jan 19th, 2007 04:57 am |
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Not without modifications, as there will be a conflict between the RS232 receive data and the Ethernet port if the Ethernet daughterboard were plugged in to a UCM01
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adlim
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Posted: Friday Jan 19th, 2007 05:26 am |
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Just to add on to Chiu's post. What Chiu meant was that you cannot purchase the Ethernet daughterboard and plug it into the UCM01 to convert it into a UCM/Ethernet.
If you plan to purchase a Tibbo serial-ethernet module, like their DS100, it should be able to work.
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Wednesday Jan 24th, 2007 07:42 am |
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Hi Gary,
Would you be so kind as to verify that the following product serve as a valid access point with the Comfort Ucm/Ethernet
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=292
Thanks
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garym999
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Wednesday Jan 24th, 2007 07:59 am |
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Yep, looks ok from the print.
Wireless can be really simple to set up or troublesome. Tip: Take the time to upgrade the firmware to the latest version first.
Also get the UCM working over a Ethernet cable first.
Gary
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Wednesday Jan 24th, 2007 08:06 am |
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Will do
Thank you
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Monday Jan 29th, 2007 06:49 am |
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Hi all,
I had quite an eventfull weekend getting all of this to work.
The UCM/Ethernet installation in Comfort was a breeze, but accessing it via the Wap was another story.
After playing around a bit I got the wireless to work.
The touch screen interface (Mainlobby) to Comfort was a no go cause it uses a serial port comms. After surfing the web, I found a piece of software that will redirect data from a serial port to a IP address. Works like a dream.
I am so stoked
Thank you all for the assistance
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garym999
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Monday Jan 29th, 2007 07:34 am |
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Glad it worked out. As I said the wireless part can be simple or a pig. All you need is a few doggy drivers and slightly incompatible kit. But at least you have WAP enabled (I assume you do) which is essential for Comfort's protection.
What was the serial-Ethernet software that you used with main lobby?
In another post I'm sure others would like to know more about your workings with main lobby, screen shots etc. I know I would. It is one of those peices of SW that I've always wanted to play with but never managed to find the time.
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Monday Jan 29th, 2007 08:00 am |
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Hi Gary,
I will post some screen shots tonight of Mainlobby.
Mainlobby has a plugin called MlGenericSerial that gives you two way serial feed back.
eg. I have a screen in ML which reports the zone status, and link to each room in the house for lighting, also with feedback.
I designed my screens to look like MCE. You could get quite creative with screen designs.
The pgm I used to redirect serial data is http://www.taltech.com/TALtech_web/products/tcpcom.html. It's quite expensive at $259, but there are others that are cheaper which I will try and report back on.
Thanks
Last edited on Monday Jan 29th, 2007 08:01 am by dcrera
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Tuesday Jan 30th, 2007 05:11 am |
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Hi,
Here's another SW that redirects RS232 to IP
http://www.serial-port-redirector.com/?rf=spr&ver=1.4.13
This one is a lot cheaper and works just as well.
Screen shots as promised
Attachment: menu.jpg (Downloaded 74 times) Last edited on Tuesday Jan 30th, 2007 05:12 am by dcrera
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dcrera
Comfort Installers
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Posted: Tuesday Jan 30th, 2007 05:14 am |
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Seems like I am having problems with file attachments
Attachment: kitchen.jpg (Downloaded 75 times) Last edited on Tuesday Jan 30th, 2007 05:15 am by dcrera
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