[LHA-misc] Re: HCS Web Pages

[Neil C. <nc...@ho...>]

> "Van Tassel, Bob" wrote:
> 
> http://members.home.net/ncherry/common/hcs/index.html
> 
> Great site!  I realize that the HCS-II is made from an old Circuit Cellar
> design, but are there plans to upgrade this puppy with an Ethernet
> controller?  I think it sucks big time to have to buy an RS-485 hub for $139
> to do networking, when Linux is so rich with a built in TCP stack.  Does your
> code use PPP over the RS-485 bus?  I'd like to be able to use a HA system from
> any computer in the house.
> 
> Thanks, Bob.

I've included everyone, I hope you don't mind. The HCS II will probably
not get an ethernet controller. But it is possible to hook up a Dallas
Tini board to the ether' and the serial port the HCS II so that can
provide an ethernet interface. The Dallas software would be written in
Java, there is code to allow a CM11A to Dallas to ethernet. This should
hackable to permit other devices to communicate between the serial and
ether.

Having said all that, there is also plans for an HCS III and that may
have an ethernet as it's based on the EZ80 by Zilog and Rabbit Semi.
They have a version with an ethernet and since the HCS II is based on
the Z80/180/S180 it seems like a logical path. Check out:

http://www.cc-concepts.com/opensource/

Now onto your other questions. There is no need for an RS485 hub you
can simply string (daisy chain) them up to each other (a star config
requires a hub). The total max devices: 32, the total length of cable:
4000 feet.

My HCSd code has the HCS II directly connected to the serial port (no
TCP/IP or ppp, just straight 8 bit ASCII [0-255]) but it allows you to
telnet from anywhere on the network to the port (assuming you have the
routing working if it's a big network like the internet).  The telnet
session is standard 7 bit ASCII, commands are "!12000200" (literally
you type everything between the double quotes). That command is Set
X10 A1 on. It will respond back with "$12" saying that it exec'd the
command. I also wrote a perl program which runs under Linux and W95 to
download the program to the HCS. Other commands will also be written
in perl (for proof of concept) to turn things on, off, get status,
what ever is appropriate. Multiple computers can attach to HCSd at the
same time. I make no attempts to keep 2 users from issue dueling
commands. There is also no security (I have TCPD compiled in by
default, but that's not security). I expect security to be handled via
outside programs, SSH, IPFilters, Net filters, IP table, etc. Here's
an ASCII picture:

                         +-------+
                         | Other |
                         +---+---+
           Ethernet          |
 ]----------+-------SS-------+---------[
            |
     +------+----+
     | Linux Box |---------> Internet Access (PPP/Slip/Cable/DSL/ISDN/AX25)
     +----+------+
          |
          | RS232 Serial port
          |
       +--+--+
       | HCS |------> RS485 network
       +-----|
        | | |
        O O O (Digital/Analog I/O)

In the above diagram (fix font), SS means that those 2 parts of the
network may not be on the same net. If not, they'll depend on normal
TCP/IP routing. Technically they could be across the internet. There
doesn't have to be a network card either, just as long as the
interface looopback or dummy network is up. This will allow people
with just a serial dial up to use the program. The daemon depends on
TCP/IP doing it's thing correctly. The picture doesn't include a
firewall but if you try to access from outside the safety of your home
I recommend a seperate firewall box. I know this isn't practicle for
dial up users, I still recommend using a firewall! The "Other" box can
be anything, DOS, WinX, a MAC, another *nix box, a Dallas TINI board
with keyboard and LCD (or just touch screen), or even CP/M. :-)

I hope that answers your questions.

BTW: You won't be able to post directly to the LHA project list, it will
be sent to me and I'll have to approve it. Only members of the list are
permitted to post to the list because of SPAM problems.

-- 
Linux Home Automation           Neil Cherry             nc...@ho...
http://members.home.net/ncherry                         (Text only)
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/lightsey/52           (Graphics)
http://linuxha.sourceforge.net/				(SourceForge)