Domoticz Google Assistant integration with node-red Easy Free Controlicz alternative!

[jvdz]

3. Google Node-RED Smarthome
See https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red ... -smarthome
This is the solution, I use, when SmartNora became a paid solution.

In my opinion it has some advantages over the previous two.
- Free service, regardless of the number of devices.
- No back end, that is out of your control
- Support all devices, that are supported by Google. So it is not dependent of the supported nodes,like SmartNora

It has the disadvantage that the learning curve is steeper that with SmartNora and comparable with DZGA

Fully Agree with this!
The installation is indeed more difficult, but there is a good install instruction for it.
The most difficult thing probably is the setup of the LetsEncrypt SSL certificate and process to update that and obviously requires an (D)DNS entry for your internet connection.
I have it running now for about half a year and must say I really like it very much!

[mgugu]

Yep, same experience. Really a great piece of software.
Running 80 devices for 6 month without any problem.
The SSL issue can be solved by a 5-minutes setup solution based on docker-caddy reverse proxy, provided you own a domain name.
Basic devices are working perfectly, higher level devices (TV, speaker) are tricky to set up, but I have workarounded that by using lights with brightness everywhere, for example for my home cinema, I have a brightness for TV channel, another for sound level, etc... And of course you have to create a routine for each.
Only thing not working for me at the moment is local fullfillement to speed up the response. In discussion with developpers at Github.

[Gravityz]

the minute smart-nora was paid i switched over to the apple eco system.

easy because everything runs through homebridge and replaced my sonos with a ipod mini.
best decission ever. speech control is way better and everything works al the time

no more goolge for me
nodered however is very nice but at the moment i do not have a need for it anymore(used it to bridg domoticz to google)

[FireWizard]

Hello @mgugu,

You wrote:

Yep, same experience. Really a great piece of software.
Running 80 devices for 6 month without any problem.

Since a year I run about 40 devices. In general, I do not have issues. Sometimes there are issues with "local fulfillment"

The SSL issue can be solved by a 5-minutes setup solution based on docker-caddy reverse proxy, provided you own a domain name.

Indeed for SSL there is a simple solution with Let's Encrypt on a reverse proxy (Caddy). An excellent description is available.
The domain can also be something provided by e.g. No-IP

Basic devices are working perfectly, higher level devices (TV, speaker) are tricky to set up, but I have workaround ed that by using lights with brightness everywhere, for example for my home cinema, I have a brightness for TV channel, another for sound level, etc...

Indeed for the more complicated devices, such as TV, you need to invest a little bit more. In my case, I have a TV with a Set-top box and in this case your TV is only a monitor. This is quite easy. If you need some support for a complicated device, we can try to set that up and add that later to the examples.
All those "work-arounds" does not make the flow clearer.

Only thing not working for me at the moment is local fulfillment to speed up the response. In discussion with developers at Github.

I know, did you already finish a test with UDP instead of mDNS? You have probably seen that I have issues with local fulfillment in version 0.4.1, too.

@Gravityz

I can imagine that you are very satisfied, as the Apple Eco system is great, but also somewhat locked.
Unfortunately I do not own one or more Apple devices. So I have to take another route.
But for me Google works fine and with the Google-Node-RED-Smarthome I'm happy.

However for the less experienced user< I would recommend to use SmartNora, as this is much easier to set up.
But it will cost you about 2 Euro/month, same as Controlicz.

Regards

[Dave47]

SSL certificate is not free i think so?
Do i need MQTT broker when i choose for Nora?

I think the option with node red smarthome is difficul
t for me.
Without ssl its not possible?

[jvdz]

Ssl is free with letsencrypt.

[Dave47]

It does not talk to your physical devices. It only provides virtual devices in Node-RED. It's up to you to forward commands from the virtual to the physical device.

You need virtual devices next to physical in domoticz?

[FireWizard]

Hello @Dave47,

SSL certificate is not free i think so?

In general, you are right, but this is not the case with Let's Encrypt.
This is free, but has a validity of 90 days. You have to renew it in time.
Websites usely renew it after 60 days. That is a simple cron job

You do not need a MQTT broker, as you can also use http.
But it makes it easier as there is no need for polling Domoticz.

If you think this solution is too difficult, go for SmartNora.
It will cost the same as Controlicz.
But test it first, before you make a paid subscription.

Regards

[FireWizard]

@Dave47,

I do not know what the author of "you need virtual devices, etc" exactly means.

In Node-RED you use a node for each supported device that "translates" a voice command to a specific payload. This payload has to be reformated in order to control the switch in Domoticz.
So, yes, you have your switch in Domoticz and this will receive a command, either MQTT or HTTP.

Sensors, do not have an output. You send the data into the node and if you query the Google device, you will get an answer.

[Dave47]

Can i make it by my own such a certificate?
How do i do that? I need that certificate?

Renew in 90 days, manual?

[FireWizard]

@Dave47,

No, you cannot make your own certificate. Google does not accept "self-signed certificates".
Yes, you need a certificate, as Google only accepts https and not http.

The renewal process is an automatic process and is handled by Caddy.
See: https://github.com/mikejac/node-red-con ... s/caddy.md.

Regards

[Dave47]

How can i get a certificate then?
Its free but how.

[FireWizard]

See: https://letsencrypt.org/getting-started/

For Caddy see: https://caddyserver.com/

Check the Guide in the previous link
If you follow this guideline your certificate is automatically created

Regards

[Dave47]

Ok. Verry dificult. Don't understand how the ssl certificate setup on the Raspberry
I See software and system but what do i need for raspberry?

Is the first thing to do instal ssl or node red?
We have dashticz on port 80 is that a problem?
Can we try it next to domoticz?

I read the setup: https://github.com/mikejac/node-red-con ... uctions.md

Where can we setup the connection between node red en domoticz. Connect the devices?
Is everything to make connection with domoticz in these turturial?

In Node-RED you use a node for each supported device that "translates" a voice command to a specific payload. This payload has to be reformated in order to control the switch in Domoticz.
So, yes, you have your switch in Domoticz and this will receive a command, either MQTT or HTTP.

is there maybe a example for this?

[michaelkurz]

As a smart home enthusiast, I was looking for a way to control my Domotics devices with Google Assistant. I was thrilled to find the integration of node-red and Controlicz with Domoticz. It was easy to set up and I am now able to control my home automation devices using voice commands. The best part is, it's absolutely free! I highly recommend this integration for anyone looking for an easy and free way to control their Domotics devices with Google Assistant

[FireWizard]

Hi, @michaelkurz,

I cannot believe your post is serious. A number of the posts above is about the fact that Controlicz terminates its service by the end of the year. Controlicz is not free, for as long as the service last, and has never been free. So for everybody, who use Controlicz at the moment, they can continue to do so, but for new users, who are looking for a solution to integrate Domoticz with Google Home, I recommend to use another solution.

Regards

[manjh]

Hi, @michaelkurz,

I cannot believe your post is serious. A number of the posts above is about the fact that Controlicz terminates its service by the end of the year. Controlicz is not free, for as long as the service last, and has never been free. So for everybody, who use Controlicz at the moment, they can continue to do so, but for new users, who are looking for a solution to integrate Domoticz with Google Home, I recommend to use another solution.

Regards

"Another solution"? Which one would you recommend?
I have been using Nora, but it is not flawless. It happens now and then when Nora is unreachable, and I have to go back to the browser interface of Domoticz to switch my lights.
Another negative point is the fact that I can only use 5 devices in the free version. I can live with that (I use scenes, so majy lights are in one device in Nora). But it would be nice to have more devices.
Of course I can use the paid version, but as long as it is not 100% reliable I am reluctant...

[FireWizard]

Hello Hans (@manjh),

You asked:

"Another solution"? Which one would you recommend?

My post was about the fact, that it does not make sense to encourage people to use a service, which will end at the end of the year.

But answering your question is not that easy.

It depends a lot of the knowledge level of the user.

I would say, that if you have limited knowledge about servers, ssl certificates, configuring proxies, etc, you better can choose SmartNora and take a paid account, unless you use 5 devices or less.

If you have sufficient knowledge and some extra time, you can try: https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red ... -smarthome
or you can use DZGA. I use "Google-Smarthome", but I believe that DZGA requires the same technical level.

Google SmartHome compared to SmartNora (or the older Nora) has the following advantages:

1. It is free (No paid service)
2. It supports unlimited number of devices
3. It supports all the devices, that Google supports
4. It supports all traits, that Google supports.

Disavantage:

1. As you control everything yourself, it is much more complex to setup.
2. Requires a domain name (Can be one of the DynDNS services)
3. Requires SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt) handling.

But if you have finshed the setup everything is working fine.

Beside that there are a few other solutions: https://www.hardill.me.uk/wordpress/202 ... available/

This project has been forked as well.

Regards

[manjh]

Thanks for this detailed information.
Based on what I read, I think the NodeRed based Google-SmartHome is most attractive to me. I like the fact that it is a "clean" interface: it provides the link between Google Home and Domoticz in NodeRed, so I can fully control what I want to do there.
Over the next days, I will have a look at implementing on a spare Pi4.

[manjh]

Additional question.
I now have Nora running for five devices. If I install Google-SmartHome on a separate Pi, will these two work in parallel?

I would like to keep Nora until I am very sure the Google-SmartHome plugin works properly!