Almost all homes currently have an Home networks that connects our computers and other devies to the Internet.

However just like our phones, our home are becoming smart. To make them smart they are being fitted with:

• smart switches
• smart lights
• smart Locks
• etc

These once normal household devices are being made smart by connecting them together over the home network, and then to the Internet.

Because most Homes built today aren’t smart they will be made smart incrementally,by adding smart devices to solve present day problems

Perhaps you might need to install a security system, so you install a smart security system.

Later you want to integrate it with your lights so you install a smart lighting system.

However will these devices work on your existing network? Will you need addition networking equipment?

In order to do this you will need a basic understanding of home networking and common home networking devices, how they work, and what functions they provide.

About This Site

Personally I’m not into gadgets and so I will not be doing product reviews on smart home or networking products.

The aim of this site is to help you :

• Learn and understand Home Networking basics
• Understand how  home network and smart home devices connect to the network and how they work.
• Understand the technology and protocols found on a  home network.
• Solve common home networking and home automation network problems.

Getting Started

Whether you are taking the DIY approach or just wanting to get familiar with the technology and products you will need to understand how to setup a home network and how it works. – See Smart Home Networking

Recommended Reading

• Basic Home Networking Course
• Internal and External IP Addresses
• What is Dynamic DNS (DDNS)? -and Why Use It?
• Beginners guide to home Automation

Questions

If you have any questions please ask

Best Regards Steve

Most home computer users/home office users store their data locally on their PC/and or laptop.

Storing data this way is simple but it does have many limitations such as :

• What happens when you upgrade PC/laptop
• How do you backup Your Data
• What happens if your PC/laptop breaks
• What happens if you loose your laptop?
• What happens if you run out of disk space?
• How do you share data/files.

(more…)

Tasmota is a small open source home automation software that can be flashed onto any expressive chipset and used to control lighting, fans, switches etc using both HTTP and MQTT protocols over Wi-Fi. (more…)

When adding a MQTT device to Home Assistant you have 4 options

• Manual setup using configuration.yaml file.(All MQTT devices)
• Auto setup using  configuration data sent on the config topic.(All MQTT devices)
• Auto setup using  configuration data sent using the SeOption19 option and MQTT auto discovery.(Tasmota only)
• Auto setup using  configuration data sent using  MQTT auto discovery and the Tasmota integration. (preferred but Tasmota only)

(more…)

Perhaps you are looking to automate your lighting or just need to turn on and off a device remotely or at at certain time. How do you choose the best smart switch for your needs?

There are a number of factors you need to consider:

• How will it be controlled?
• Does it need the Internet?
• What wireless technology does it use and what do you currently support?
• What current does it need to switch?
• Does it need a neutral

(more…)

There are many smart home video doorbells available in this tutorial we will look at what they are, and why you might consider getting one.

We look at:

• What is a Smart Video Doorbell
• Benefits of a Smart Video Doorbell

We will also look at some reviews for popular video doorbells -blink,ring and XTU. (more…)