Plum light switch

Plum Light Switch. We like everything about this switch. If you had asked me last year, I would have given you the same answer, but I would not have necessarily recommended it to you, as the software was not quite there, and frankly I wasn’t sure the company was there for the long term, as the switch was relatively pricey, and their integration was not quite there. I believe they are going to make it at this point, and am super excited about it.

I’ve been testing one in a single-pole spot for almost a year, and after going back and forth with them over the course of that time for an API (they still aren’t quite ready yet), decided to use some excellent work already done by another fan, who has reverse-engineered enough to make the basic functions very useful! I have extended that work by adapting it the Indigo Domotics smart home software. We’re fans of theirs, as they do a great job of using a stable platform, and allowing the mix of best-of-breed parts on your home network to create automation that really works, without the fear of vendor hardware lock-in.

More coming… stay tuned.

Smart Home Light Switch

Perhaps one of the items I’ve over-analyzed the most, ‘smart’ light switches have been something that I’ve pondered again and again. Some of my favorites include the Lutron Caseta series, the Leviton series, and the Plum Light Switch. They have to operate with a home automation solution, and they must have an API so that the capacity to use it with any home automation solution exists. ABSOLUTELY NO WAY will I have a home automation system that relies on the ‘cloud’ for function, so that factors in as well.

I’m a bit of a purist, and I try to stay away from locked-in solutions, so as much as I like the Lutron hardware, I can’t bring myself to be required to have a base station in order to have my light switches working. It’s just one more piece of hardware to care and feed. Don’t  get me wrong, I’ve got the old-fashioned Maestro dimmers in every room, and converted to it in the mid-2000’s. It’s 2018, and the converged home means no more stand-alone devices, so the Maestro stand-alone switches will be retired.

The Leviton and Plum switches use WiFi, and that means independence from controller hardware. Of course, it also means that you need to have a solid WiFi setup at the house, and you should already be in that position before you start thinking about controlling things with the network. Both Leviton and Plum work fine in this respect, and although neither has a formal API yet, hacked API’s do exist, which means that the pathway is there for a vendor provided one sooner than later.

The choice? Plum. More on this soon…

pfSense Firewall hardware

There are a number of new vendors that supply good quality hardware for the pfSense firewall platform. I prefer the discrete component approach, as it allows me to have spares available for all of the platforms I support, and I can do so at a lower cost. Network card goes south? No problem, swap daughterboard. Ditto with RAM and storage. It also allows me a little more control over the cost of the device, form-factor of the device, and function. Components are as follows:

Motherboard

Mini-ITX is the form-factor here. The Jetway NF9N is the motherboard my choice. It supports x64 instructions, Jetway daughterboards, onboard mSATA, and has an additional slot for PCIe cards. A very flexible board. An Intel Celeron N2930 1.83 – 2.16 GHz Quad Core Processor is on board, and the motherboard supports up to 8GB of RAM, certainly enough to provide plenty of bandwidth for more intensive VPN use or large segments of country blocks.

Network Daughterboard

I use Jetway’s ADE4INLANG 4 Port Intel Gigabit LAN Gen2 Daughterboard. What’s important to remember here is that ONLY the Gen2 daughterboard will work with the motherboard. The pin configuration is slightly different on the Gen2 models, so the Gen1 will not work. In my experience, ONLY THE INTEL versions provide the long-term reliability that you’ll want on your network’s border. I’ve replaced too many Realtek cards for me to recommend otherwise.

  • 4 Intel 82574L Gigabit Ethernet Controllers
  • Full Duplex flow control (IEEE 802.3x)
  • Wake-On-LAN and remote wake-up support
  • IEEE 802.3, IEEE802.3u, IEEE802.3ab compliant

Storage

Frankly the Samsung 850 EVO – 250GB – mSATA Internal SSD that I recommend is a bit overkill from a storage size perspective. On the other hand, the Samsung 850 EVO drives are the only ones that have been rock-solid reliable for me, and the price point is easily rationalized.

Memory (RAM)

Crucial makes computer memory in just about every shape and size, and I find that 4GB on a pfSense firewall is generous enough that I don’t worry about RAM usage due to various packages that might be required. I use Crucial’s 4GB Single DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/S (PC3-12800) Unbuffered SODIMM 204-Pin Memory, and the price point is good. If you find you need more RAM, then simply adding another one of these in the second slot gets you to 8GB.

Putting it all together

I don’t cover cases, as that is a highly variable item, and is very much situation specific. The mini-ITX platform has just about every case available: fanless, racked, creative, showpiece, and everything else you could imagine. Shop around. This is the one item that I won’t weigh in on for your specific needs. I you want help with this, pop me a message and I’ll be happy to point you in a direction!

 

 

Wifi Routers and Access Points

When it comes to security, I simply don’t trust the cheap stuff. With the number of intrusion attempts that have happened on even the big brand name vendors for most of the SMB and Home markets, it simply doesn’t pay to go with one of those. Instead, the suggestions below are exactly what you want to ensure that some kid with time on their hands doesn’t end up on your network uninvited.

This is not a router. It is a A-list wifi access point. We’re fans of Ruckus, big fans in fact, particularly the R500, which strikes a nice balance between the excellent performance of the R600, with the affordability of the lower models.  One of those units covers at least the 3000sqft of a few houses that I support, but even more so, it does it at the native speeds of the incoming broadband (60Mbps in our relatively rural community), even when at the opposite end of the house! That’s good stuff. You’ll need a firewall/router in between you and the internet, but in my opinion, that’s the right way to go anyway. More on that soon…

If you’ve got a smaller house, need a router, or perhaps think that the Ruckus isn’t quite for you, then I strongly recommend the Google Wifi System instead. As a router and wifi access point, you can use just one of the Google Wifi access points, or add as many as you need. They also come as a Google Wifi 3-pack. Each of the Google Wifi units theoretically covers 1500 sqft, but your coverage will vary based on the construction of the building. This system is really easy to configure, and can be done simply from your Android or iPhone device.

Both vendors produce top-notch products, and we highly recommend either one for your Business or Home wifi needs.

 

Coax cable

AmazonBasics CL2-Rated Coaxial Cable – 8 Feet

AmazonBasics CL2-rated Coaxial Cable – 8 Feet
Connect TVs, VCRs, cable modems, satellite receivers, off-air antennas, and other devices with F-type ports using the AmazonBasics Coaxial Cable. The coaxial cable comes fitted with two nickel-plated F-type male connectors, and it can be used safely indoors or out. Even more, its UL CL2 rating allows for in-wall use, which helps reduce cord clutter, allowing for a tidier-looking home, classroom, or office.

Durable Construction
The 75 OHM RG6 cable consists of a solid-center conductor, followed by dielectric insulation and braided aluminum shielding sandwiched between two layers of aluminum-foil shielding. The coaxial cable protects against EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference), which can distort signals as they arrive to the receiver. With minimal line interference, the cable delivers crisp, clear sound and pure video. The cable’s durable PVC outer layer offers added protection and flexibility for easy routing and install.

Easy-Grip Connector Caps
The AmazonBasics coaxial cable comes ready to use—simply insert each end into a compatible F-Pin-enabled device. While connected, twist the easy-grip end caps right or left to tighten or loosen the connection (no need for extra tools). The connector caps help ensure effortless connections, but they can be completely removed, slipping off easily, if preferred.

IP Cameras

Ubiquiti UVC-G3 UniFi Video Camera

With indoor and outdoor wall, ceiling, and pole mounting options, the UniFi G3 Series 2MP Outdoor Bullet Camera from Ubiquiti features multiple mounting options for flexible placement. Additionally, the camera uses a ball joint mount which offers 3-axis angle adjustments for capturing various angles of your viewing area. A 1/3″ 4MP HDR sensor provides 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30 fps, and a 3.6mm fixed lens enables the camera to cover an 85? horizontal field of view (72? after lens correction). Equipped with integrated IR LEDs, the camera can be used at night, and a mechanical IR cut filter will automatically switch from color to black and white for clear detail at all times.

Surge Protectors

AmazonBasics 12 Outlet Surge Protector with 6 Feet Cord, 4350 Joules

When voltage fluctuates, swells, or spikes, it can damage sensitive electronics. The AmazonBasics 12-outlet surge protector creates an important layer of defense and protects electronic devices. With a 4350-Joule surge-suppression rating, the unit optimally transfers power and helps keep plugged-in devices safe, especially during storms and power outages.

Our Favorite IP/Dect Phone

Gigaset GIGASET-C530IP Cordless Hybrid Expandable Phone for IP or Landline Calls


This German engineered cordless phone brings together the best of both worlds with the ability to make up to 3 parallel VoIP calls in HDSP while also allowing you to switch to a landline call if needed. This phone also adds many more unique features making it as efficient and comfortable for users. The C530IP allows users to easily download smartphone contacts into the cordless handset, personalize your ringtones or screensaver image on the large 1.8 inch TFT color display, and is expandable up to 6 total handsets with the addition of the C530H handset.