Split domoticz devices onto multiple computers? Topic is solved

[Lomax]

Hi all,

I am working on a Domoticz set up for a houseboat, which will have three computers on board, only one of which is guaranteed to be running at all times (let's call this computer "A"). "A" runs the Domoticz instance, and gathers data from security sensors (PIR, flooding, fire, etc). It has its own backup power system, which also powers the 3/4G router (for sending alerts etc), and can keep it running for a couple of days at least. The other two ("B" and "C") are only active when certain conditions are met; "B" controls lighting, heating and ventilation, and measures power consumption/charging. It is only active when the main battery bank is above a safe charge level, since when the main bank is depleted none of the devices controlled by "B" can be operated anyway. "C" is manually activated and deals with navigational instruments (GPS, compass, AIS, etc) and measures engine parameters (temperature, RPM, fuel level, etc). When active, I would like "B" and "C" to push data to the Domoticz instance running on "A", so that their parameters are logged in the Domoticz database, and can be acted on with Blocky events etc. I would also like "A" to be able to send commands to control the devices connected to "B" and "C", e.g. to turn the lights on, or to control the heating system. Does this sound feasible at all?

Edit: Perhaps I should point out that none of the devices controlled by Domoticz are wireless - sensors, actuators and computers are connected over either 1-Wire, USB, RS232/485, Ethernet or RasPI GPIO.

[korniza]

you can do it and it is very easy. The A computer should be the master and all the others slaves. Than means that you can send updates from B & C -> A and on the other hand you can send commands from A to B & C.
To do this scenario, you just need to add on B & C a new hardware and select "Domoticz -Remote Server". You will need to enter the ip of A on the field as also user/pass of domoticz on A of the user that can perform device sharing.
Also you can configure which devices will be shared from slave nodes (b,C) to A.
A minor problem is if you like to update a sensor from C -> B, or B-> C but as you said it is not required for now.

Hope it helped.

[Lomax]

Thank you! I actually just found the Wiki entry on Setting up Device sharing - this does indeed sound like the way forward! So I will run Domoticz on all three computers, and configure "B" and "C" as "Remote Servers" on "A". Is it possible to run some kind of stripped down version of Domoticz on these? There would be no need for them to provide a web interface for example...

[korniza]

Is it possible to run some kind of stripped down version of Domoticz on these? There would be no need for them to provide a web interface for example...

I do not have the info if you can disable web interface but if like to minimize the footprint of domoticz, I suggest that you can skip the installation of openzwave as far you do not own any z-wave device. Also IMHO you need web gui as it is the only way to add/remove devices from B&C.
Still it is a good idea for developers to build a console gui script for adding/removing devices on this kind of scenarios.

[Lomax]

I do not have the info if you can disable web interface but if like to minimize the footprint of domoticz, I suggest that you can skip the installation of openzwave as far you do not own any z-wave device. Also IMHO you need web gui as it is the only way to add/remove devices from B&C.
Still it is a good idea for developers to build a console gui script for adding/removing devices on this kind of scenarios.

Thanks, that's very helpful! You're right of course, about needing the web interface for configuration - didn't think of that I agree that a command line interface for "webless" installations would be nice, but then again I don't think the web UI presents much of a load when it's not being accessed. If anyone has more tips for how to trim down and optimise Domoticz for minimum CPU usage I'd love to hear about it!