Belkin Home Base experiences

[Alexander]

After the delivering of the Belkin Home Base I configured it within a Windows XP VM. It is very easy to install and configure.
I've the Home Base connected to the network wirelessly and used the WPS method in combination with the FritzBox.
I then changed it's TCP/IP config to a static one and configured a new installation of HomeSeer (2.5.0.1) to connect my Aeon Labs Z-Wave stick via the Home Base. The Home Base software created a COM3 on the XP installation.

All worked well last evening, but this morning I did find out that the connection with the Home Base was lost. Could not get any echo replies or webinterface of the Home Base. Disconnected and reconnected its power cable, but that did not fix the problem. Did the WPS method again and it was back alive on its static configured address. I'd to restart Homeseer afterwards because it did find the stick again, but polling and switching weren't working. Home Base firmware version is btw 1.00.04.

If the situation happens again I will use a cable to be certain it's a wireless problem. If that fixes the situation i'll do a firmware update (if available) to test again. Otherwise it will remain wired.

Other situations (or maybe equal) happened to someone?

One downside: The software of Belkin needs to be running to remain its configured COM ports. Maybe start it as a service will work. Did not test it. Maybe someone could translate its packets to create a plugin and connect directly.

[Alexander]

Okay, lost the device again from wireless. Did change some settings on the fritzbox, but i don't think it's the issue. But i've to recall the issue when the device has lost, that i need to restart homeseer. That was not the case in the last situation. I would think this has something to do with timeouts. In this case between the problem and fix was 13 minuten. In my first post it was the whole night.

[brennus]

i checked the firmware levels yesterday, 1.00.04 seemed to be the latest.

I did not use wps but instead configured my wireless network manually, has been working so far.

[petermdevries]

Today I also got my Belkin Home Base installed.
At first sight it seems to work fine. I am now testing it together with a Velleman K8061 USB Interface Board.

However, it looks like the Home Control software must run within a user context. In other words, when I log off, the USB connections are broken. This is not what I would like to have as I am running HomeSeer on a server as a service.
Am I missing something, or is this indeed a limitation?
Anyone experienced this also and or an idea how to fix this?

[Alexander]

Anyone experienced this also and or an idea how to fix this?

Well that is something i start writing this topic

One downside: The software of Belkin needs to be running to remain its configured COM ports. Maybe start it as a service will work. Did not test it. Maybe someone could translate its packets to create a plugin and connect directly.

Lost the device again. Will use wired config now.

[Mdamen]

Also got it today (got delivered at work and I was on vacation)
Seems to work fine!

I am going to open up the device later on this evening, just can't resist it

[Mdamen]

Ok, I opened up the device.. interesting..
There's some more possibilities to this device then just a wired/wireless USB hub...
You can read some more information about opening the device on my weblog:

http://www.maartendamen.com/2011/02/ope ... home-base/

[Esteban]

I restrained myself from buying one, but can't wait to see what capabilities you can come up with!

[Alexander]

There are two interesting headers on the board (1×6 pin and 1×2x7 pin), I will play around with them a bit later on (in fact, I already did.. I’ll just save that for a later blog post..):

That's evil!!! Next blog is on 18-02-2012 ?

[Mdamen]

haha no worries.. it's scheduled for tonight!

[Mdamen]

The story continues..

maartendamen.com/2011/02/finding-a-seri ... home-base/

[Mdamen]

Here's another post about the Home Base..

http://www.maartendamen.com/2011/02/fin ... se-part-2/

[Digit]

Starting a daily weblog too, are ya??
I think we haven't seen the last yet

[Mdamen]

Haha, I have to fill certain gaps
Nah, just did a lot on this box and logged the progress while I was at it..

There's one more post scheduled about this little box (tomorrow)

[Jeroen Bartels]

Thanks Maarten,
I like reading about your progress but It's not clear to me what you are hoping to find. Do you expect to reveal additional functions?
Keep up the good work.