Setting up a smart home command center with Z-Wave
Several vendors compete in the field of home automation. The solutions differ in price and also in terms of openness and interoperability: Many smart home solutions only work within the limits set by the manufacturer, and the devices only collaborate with a controller from the same company.
The Z-Wave Alliance [1] takes a different approach: The underlying system's protocol is open, and many manufacturers now offer Z-Wave-compatible devices or services. In addition to Z-Wave founder Sigma Designs, several hundred companies now belong to the consortium [2]. Among them are numerous well-known IT names, such as D-Link, devolo, Logitech, and Zyxel; large electronics groups, such as Bosch, LG, and Panasonic; and many lesser well-known companies. Certification ensures compliance with compatibility standards.
Z-Wave for the Rasp Pi
One of the most attractive features for home users is the fact that a Raspberry Pi is all you need for a Z-Wave control center – all you have to do is teach your Rasp Pi the Z-Wave protocol. You can do this either with the UZB [3], a Z-Wave-ready USB stick suitable for Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows, or with the additional RaZberry board [4], which I will describe in this article.
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