Apress - Smart Home Automation with Linux (2010)- P2 pptx

iv

Contents at a Glance
About the Author xii
About the Technical Reviewers xiii
Acknowledgments xiv
Introduction xv

■Chapter 1: Appliance Control 1
■Chapter 2: Appliance Hacking 49
■Chapter 3: Media Systems 85
■Chapter 4: Home Is Home 117
■Chapter 5: Communication 149
■Chapter 6: Data Sources 185
■Chapter 7: Control Hubs 215

Index 269


v

Contents
About the Author xii
About the Technical Reviewers xiii
Acknowledgments xiv
Introduction xv

■Chapter 1: Appliance Control 1
X10 1
About X10 2

General Design 4
Device Modules 6
Stand-Alone Controllers 15
Gateways and Other Exotic Devices 20
Computer Control 23
C-Bus 28
About C-Bus 28
Differences Between X10 and C-Bus 28
Devices 29
Controllers 30
Gateways 31




■ CONTENTS
vi

Networked Devices 31
Ethernet Devices 31
Networking Primer 31
CCTV Cameras 38
Stand-Alone BitTorrent Clients 41
Infrared Remote Control 41
All-in-One Remotes 42
IR Relays 42
IR Control 46
Conclusion 48
■Chapter 2: Appliance Hacking 49
Software Hacks 49

Linksys NSLU2 49
Developing on the Slug 51
Hacking Game Consoles 52
Hardware Hacks 58
Linksys NSLU2 58
LEGO Mindstorms 60
Arduino as an I/O Device 61
Joysticks for Input 79
Other Input Controllers 80
Hacking Laptops 80
Your Own X10 Devices 81
Conclusion 83


■ CONTENTS
vii

■Chapter 3: Media Systems 85
The Data Chain 85
Extracting the Data 86
Storage 91
Stand-Alone NAS Systems 91
NAS with Media Playback 94
Configuring a Linux Box 95
Media Extenders 98
Stand-Alone Hardware 99
Just Linux 105
Distribution 107
Local Processing vs. Remote Processing 107
AV Distribution 107

Wiring Looms 109
Wireless AV Distribution 110
Matrix Switchers 110
Control 112
Local Control 112
Remote-Control Methods 112
Conclusion 115
■Chapter 4: Home Is Home 117
Node0 117
Function and Purpose 117
Determining the Best Room 118
Primary Options 121
Building the Rack 122

■ CONTENTS
viii

Servers 123
Purposes of Servers 123
Types of Server 125
Power Consumption 128
Server Coordination 131
UPS 132
Backups 136
Hiding Your Home 140
Adding to Your Home 141
General Considerations 142
Wired Network 143
Wireless Points 145
Audio Cabling 146

Other Access Points? 147
Conclusion 148
■Chapter 5: Communication 149
Why Comms? 149
IP Telephony 150
Skype 150
Asterisk 151
E-mail 151
Preparing E-mail in Linux 151
Sending E-mail 152
Autoprocessing E-mails 153
Security Issues 156