New firmware HCB

Post by **JaapK** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:26 pm

This afternoon i had a technician of hae over to solve a problem with the residential service (remote access) of my home control box that they couldn't fix remotely.
He told me that next week a new firmware version (1.4) will be available from the xanura website. The new version should now work correctly with firefox browsers. Good News for everyone not using internet explorer.
Other things he mentioned were that it would be possible to directly control individual modules by sending HTML GET and POST url's (but that there would be no documentation available). Some hacking required. [:)]
Also, when i asked him about functionality of the serial and usb ports he mentioned that the usb port will connect to specific hardware (he mentioned alarm systems). Actually i thought this was already possible with the present version of the firmware, but i'm not sure.

Post by **Bwired** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 4:38 pm

Hi Jaap
That is good News, I will try to download it next week if it will be on there site? Normally the firmware is not for direct download.
I have the Home control box for testing purpose, so not directly online.
Btw: I thought you had a Xanura CTX35? http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=334

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:09 pm

And is version 1.4 as open source as the older one?

if you get the source, if its an image or something let me know. Then i can take a peak at the system.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **Bwired** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:11 pm

No Open source!
http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=303

Post by **JaapK** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:20 pm

I think that all production boxes until now use the 1.2.2 firmware, and that there was no need to distribute a new firmware via the website.
He told me to call him if it somehow wouldn't be available that way.

You remember correctly that i have the ctx35. The plan with that is to let the mac mini running a webdav server tell the hcb that i'll be out of the house for any substantial amount of time, and switch of heating and warm water, and adjust the lighting programs. Haven't got around to implementing that though. Too many hobbies, too little time.

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:28 pm

Well if they spread this update via the web, or any other means then i'am sure we should be able to take a look at it too.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **JaapK** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:29 pm

I didn't ask about it being open source, but i don't expect them to make the sources available voluntarily (even if that's a violation of the linux GPL licence).

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:35 pm

Well if someone does get version 1.4, make sure to make a copy of it so i can take a peek if possible.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **TANE** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:58 pm

No chance that the software will be open source.
If they do that what else will be left for HAE?

Post by **Snelvuur** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:00 pm

well a new customer perhaps? if its open source, then i can tweak it perhaps to something i feel good with.

// Erik (binkey.nl)

Post by **TANE** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 11:06 pm

There business is software not the hardware.
HAE is not Eton Holec..they are making the BOX for Holec also for some other company's.

Post by **JaapK** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:21 pm

Since the initial message i checked the Xanura website several times, but no new firmware. Yesterday i called HAE and they emailed me a copy right away. It should already be available on the restricted area of the xanura.nl site for installation technicians, but according to HAE it will be available to everyone in the near future through the Xanura home site (but that's up to Eaton, not HAE).

The new interface now works correctly with browsers other than Internet Explorer, which is good News for anyone not running windows (or IE). The hcb now supports UPnP, so it shows up automatically in windows explorer. Doubleclicking it doesn't show the usual main configuration page, but a page similar to the myhcb portal page with up to 20 programmable buttons. Also the page is now available 'from the outside' via an url like eh-xxxx.private.homecontrolbox.com. Of course i immediately tried another address than my own, but apparently the HAE programmers thought of such an obvious trick; you only get to see your own box.
The configuration link on the righthand side takes you to the familiar configuration page. Changes here are both cosmetic and functional: not only have the looks improved, the whole interface is more resposive than the old one. Good.

A number of new devices are available: from Visonic a range of wireles detectors through an RFXcom interface. They include a wireless smoke detector, (P)IR motionsensors, glass break sensors, magetic (reed) switches and a water sensor. The RFXcom interface plugs directly into the usb port on your hcb.
Also there is support for the new SAIX12, DIAX12 and IMX10 modules.

Finally the part that probably is most interesting to all hobbyists here is the web API. From the release notes (sorry, they're in dutch):
"API toegevoegd waarin alle apparaten te testen zijn en aan te sturen door derden.
Voor gevorderde gebruikers is de API (Application Protocol Interface) gemaakt. Hierdoor zijn de apparaten, macros, timers, variabelen allemaal individueel aan te sturen. Deze pagina is net als de installateurs interface met een wachtwoord beveiligd. Door de hyperlinks te kopieren en te gebruiken met een HTTP GET of POST kan een apparaat, macro, timer of variabele aangestuurd worden vanuit een ander IP apparaat op het netwerk".
From this i gather that a.o. it should be possible to build you own customized web interface, but perhaps someone more experienced in these matters could enlighten us.