Should I get a RS232-to-IP serial server?

[johnnyt]

Hi,

 

I'm looking for advice on the value of converting from using physical COM ports and RS232-to-USB converters to a RS232-to-IP serial server.

 

I ask in this forum because, one, people here are brilliant , and second because my medium to long term plan is to move everything to ISY from HomeSeer, possibly replace my DSC alarm with ELK, and add other ISY supported devices for energy metering, etc. Am a bit constrained in the short (and possibly medium) term waiting for a good wired thermostat sol'n and a 1-wire temp & humidity sol'n but am hoping the medium to long term promises good things in this area.

 

How much are serial devices a part of ISY controlled solutions, either directly supported or through 3rd party products/utilities?

 

The HomeSeer forum has a number of folks who seem to swear by serial servers, particularly for virtualization, which I plan to go to when I refresh my HA server imminently (for HomeSeer, DSCLink, shared files, Windows Home Server for backups, etc.) See http://tinkertry.com/vzilla/, although mine will be a scaled back version. I'm not sure if a serial server is a must have or a nice to have (and how nice) for ISY and other reasons.

 

FWIW, I currently have 5 serial devices, which would mean >$400 for a good 8-port device (Quatech brand seems to come highly rated, with people saying you get what you pay for so don't cheap out on a device). People also keep saying they get stuff like this for less than $50 on ebay - always seems everyone finds what they want for $50 on ebay in these forums It's certainly not been my experience.

 

My RS232 devices include APC UPS with smart signalling (a special cable), Midon Design's Temp08 (a 1-wire temp/hum sensor reader), RCS TR40 thermostat, W800 X10 RF receiver, and DSC Alarm panel interface (PC5402). For the DSC panel I'm currently using a software solution with DSClink, described here http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=6921. I could keep using that and only buy a 4-port SS but would have no room to grow. Plus I'm wondering if the odd (daily) missed messages from the DSC panel are caused by the SS s/w solution or the RS232-to-usb converter I'm using to get the messages to it. Either way, I see some value in standardizing to a single h/w SS solution and having room to grow if it's a worthwhile expense. Is it?

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

[ergodic]

You might look at the just-announced Autelis serial network adapter. Not inexpensive, but it is designed to work with the ISY directly (via variables) which is worth something. Also the Global Cache iTach models - there is a wiki entry and forum post on using them (the iR models anyway) with the ISY network module.

 

With other serial servers you should be able to manage them directly through the ISY network module if they can be operated via network management commands and don't require their own drivers, but there might be a steep learning curve to get it talking with the ISY. Otherwise you have to keep a PC in the mix.

 

If you plan to keep the X10 stuff, you might look at just replacing the W800 with an EZX10RF and ditch that serial. I personally would not look to be expanding the use of serial ports.

 

I run the ISY and HS2 also (using just the ISY plug-in, no PLM). I have a little netbook dedicated to HS2.

 

I got a nice dual-channel oscilloscope on eBay once for around $50.

[autelis]

@ergodic - Thanks for mentioning our product. The RS-485 version is currently in stock and the RS-232 version was slightly delayed but we are expecting them in stock any time now. It's very useful for devices that you need to read status info from for use in ISY programs.

 

@johnnyt - If you are also interested in a more developed solution such as a standalone DSC interface with no computer required then please post a request in our subforum. We are looking into creating security interfaces for GE panels as well as DSC and others. This goes for any other equipment you may have specific requests for.

 

Thanks.