zwave binding vs DSC binding

[Eric]

I am using openhab with aeon zwave USB stick running on a beaglebone black.  I only have a few zwave devices so far, but I have basic things working, like if motion detected, turn on switch.  I am contemplating a bigger build-out of zwave devices into a security alarm system with siren and email notifications, but then came across the Envisalink and thinking that this device along with a DSC security system might be better (in terms of reliability) than zwave devices with the aeon stick. What are your thoughts on this, given the lockup issues with aeon zwave stick?  I haven't experienced the locking up myself, but then again, I only have 4 devices and haven't been running 24/7.

As far as openhab is concerned, is there any difference in rules that trigger off zwave binding events vs. DSC binding events?  It seems that zwave devices push events, via the zwave controller, to the zwave binding and then to openhab.  Does Envisalink do the same thing, or does openhab and DSC binding need to continually poll Envisalink for status?  Is there any possibility of missed event (e.g., window opens and closes between polling period)?

I would prefer the interoperability of zwave devices from any vendor, and don't want to be locked into DSC devices, but the aeon usb stick lock up issues is worrying me and pushing me towards a DSC/Envisalink system and away from zwave.  Also considering a Vera Edge to bypass aeon usb stick, so that I can stick with zwave, but I really like the power and flexibility of openhab.

[Norm Dressler]

Well, I'm using both zwave and the DSC with an Envisalink and am extremely impressed with the DSC binding.  The one thing I'm still investigating is whether the response time from the motion detectors from DSC can be used to trigger other events like lights.  I have an older discontinued version of the DSC alarm panel (Power832) and it was plug and play basically.

Norm

[Garrett Power]

Just a heads up. Depending on the wireless motion sensors you are using, there will be a 6 second delay until it notifies the panel. So this may affect you and your plans on to use these to turn on lights, etc when you walk into a room. The wired motion sensors do not have this issue.

- Garrett

[Russell Stephens]

Hello Eric,

I prefer to have a separate security system, and the DSC/Envisalink combination is a very reliable setup.  I also use zwave for my HA, but I don't think it would be as reliable for a security system as compared to the DSC system.  The DSC Alarm system has served me well, and saved me a couple of times from attempted break-ins.

The DSC/Envisalink combination basically sends out event messages whenever there is a change in the system.  The DSC binding opens up a TCP socket connection to the Envisalink, and just waits for messages from the DSC Alarm through the Envisalink Protocol (TPI).  The binding interprets those messages from the DSC alarm into openHAB item types and posts them on the openHAB bus.  The only polling that is performed is when the binding periodically sends out a Envisalink poll command to maintain connectivity. 

I am also using the the Aeon stick but as a secondary controller to a Vera 3.  I use the MiOS Binding to communicate with the Vera, for locks mainly, and the z-wave binding to communicate with the Aeon stick, for the lights.  I do have some rules setup that turn lights on when certain doors open and it seems to work well enough for me.  Sometimes I will see a slight delay, but I am satisfied overall.  I had the same setup solely on the Vera with the same kind of results.  Hope this helps.

Regards,

Russell

On Friday, January 23, 2015 at 6:18:46 PM UTC-5, Eric wrote:

[Eric]

Thanks everyone, for your input.  I am going to go with a DSC/Envisalink security system and use the DSC binding to get status to openhab, rather than attempt a zwave security system on top of openhab.  

Russell, why did you start using Aeon stick for lights instead of keeping everything on the Vera?

Also, anyone know if the MiOS binding will work unchanged with the new Vera Edge, or will updates be needed?

[Russell Stephens]

With the Aeon stick being only a secondary controller to the Vera, the lights are still apart of the Vera zwave network, but I can access them through the Aeon stick using the openHAB zwave binding.

[Eric]

Could openhab not have accessed the lights on the Vera via the MiOS binding?

I guess I'm fuzzy on how secondary controllers work and why you would need/want 2 zwave controllers.  

[Russell Stephens]

Yes, it can and that is the way I originally did it, but it wanted to see how it worked this way. So far I am satisfied with the direct link to the zwave network for the lights, it seems to be a faster response.