Does home genie support z-wave locks

[slothlike]

I love the look and feel of home genie, but one of my requirements is the ability to remotely lock my front door.  Does home genie work for this.   Perhaps if it doesn't support z-wave locks are their any ziggby locks or something similiar that I can use with home genie that works?
Thanks,
Adam

[slothlike]

So I did some more checking around and it turns out it doesn't   I am a c# engineer by trade and would be happy to add support for it.  Does anyone have a reference to the z-wave secure communication protocol?

[pmowry911]

Looking at the forums for the openzwave C++ library (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/openzwave) security locks don't seem to be a straight forward implementation.  I was looking in to adding support for their library in to HomeGenie using the C# wrapper to get thermostat support, but it is beyond my ability to get done quickly (have not written a program over 8 years).  So I think their code would be a good reference point for a c# implementation, but what do you think about applying your skills to getting their wrapper implemented so we can let them handle the protocol bugs instead?

"The integration into HG first requires to create a C# wrapper to open-zwave libraries.
This can be done automatically by using SWIG:

http://www.swig.org/

Then it will requires to modify the MIG/Interfaces/HomeAutomation/ZWave.cs class so that it will be replacing the use of ZWaveLib with the Open-ZWave wrapper."

[msdny]

OpenZwave very recently added a security command class that allows inclusion for secured zwave devices and door lock operation. Still under test/development. See http://code.google.com/p/open-zwave/wiki/Adding_Security_Devices_to_OZW

I just got this working today with the Aeon Z-Stick V2 and a Kwikset 910 on Raspberry Pi.
At this point, through the OpenZwave Control Panel, I can lock/unlock and receive all kinds of events when the lock status changes.

Looking into some way to implement this with HG. Not sure I have the ability to do a wrapper or interface module of any reasonable quality.

[miket]

I don't have a lock right now to test.

But I'm getting the hang of adding modules to homegenie.  Finishing up the thermostat control right now.  I'm pretty confident I could make a lock work.

If someone were to gift me a door lock to test with, I would be more than happy to write you a module.   =)

Seriously, I think I could get it done in a week if there was interest.

[Techrev]

This is a deal breaker for a lot of people.  Is it being worked on?  Has anyone done anything here?  Unfortunately, the first thing I want to set up, and the only piece of zwave equipment I currently have, is a Schlage door lock.  I don't have time to work on it right now, but if it's not there and no one is working on it, I can take a look at it when I'm finished with my current job.  The question is, if it's not a high priority here, it probably means that people are using another software that's maybe better.  I like the looks of this one, but maybe I should search around more.

[bkenobi]

Really?  You consider a Z-Wave door lock a "deal breaker" for home automation?  I see that as one big security hole that people are willingly adding to their homes.  The concept is cool, but it means that anyone with the right know how (or the right google search if they're a script kitty) could potentially have access to your home by simply looking at your door latch set.

For example:
http://suretycam.com/can-hackers-unlock-my-z-wave-door-lock/

Of course, someone with rudimentary knowledge and minimal to moderate skill can get into a standard door within seconds with a very simple set of tools.  But, that at least takes a little premeditation and physical contact with a door that would be very obvious to any passer by.

That being said, if these door locks become common within home automation, it would certainly be a nice feature to have within the code.   

[Techrev]

Unless you have a back door.  Honestly, they seem pretty secure to me.  It's a major part of my home automation plans, none the less.  The choice to implement one of these devices should be left up to the consumer, and isn't really the domain of software developers.  I agree that if they don't have the confidence in their abilities as developers to properly implement security in a way that they can trust in their own code, they shouldn't implement it. If that is the case, though, should we be using Homegenie at all?  Yes, it's a feature that should be present, and is oddly missing - in spite of being requested continually for quite a while.  I'm not sure what else to say.  I've been too busy lately to get involved in this yet, when I do - it seems - I will have to make a decision about whether to use a different software or write support into this software.  It's nice that it's open source, but my time is valuable as well.  It could go either way.  I had hoped that one of the regular devs would have come forward with an update here, but it doesn't sound like it's forthcoming.

[bkenobi]

There is only one dev here and he has provided a channel to get support for different hardware added quicker.

http://www.homegenie.it/forum/index.php?topic=217.msg1135#msg1135

There are other users that have posted their personal modifications and most get rolled into the code.  Gene isn't making anything off of HG, so it comes across as pushy to insist that your personal goals must be the goal of all automation projects.  I suspect that if Gene were to have one of these Z-wave lock sets, he would be much quicker to jump in and include support.

Thanks for the interest in the project!

[Techrev]

Yeah, I don't know much about the project.  I barely have one of the locks myself :/.  They cost about 3 small children and a canned ham :/.

[bkenobi]

Don't get me wrong, if the technology proves to be secure (which for most people it will be MORE secure), I think it would be a cool feature to have.  But, as you have found, they are very expensive.  I was actually looking at replacing my front door lock set with an easily rekeyable model but they don't make one I like the looks of and they cost about as much as a child and a dog.  So, that completely puts the Zwave models out of consideration right now.

If HG supported them, I'd put a little more thought into adding one to my home, though.  I'm just saying it's not a critical part of my home automation setup now or in the near future, though I can't say how important it is for others.

[Techrev]

Well, I have a lot of work this week, but next week or the week after I may be able to look at this.  I will have to learn how the code is layed out, etc.  I may have to buy a light switch so I can actually see how it works when it works.  If no one does it over the next month or so, I'll see about adding support.  Once it's there, people can bang against it and see what they think or come up with.  I mean, honestly?  If someone can hack the encryption or find exploits in these locks, (not many people have them, so it's not like it will exactly pay off right now), they can probably pick a lock - or learn how.  There, really are, easier ways to get into a house.  Also, combined with the cameras and alarms I intend to put in that will allow me to monitor my house and unlock/lock the door from my cell phone, I will feel pretty secure.  Also, if I have events set so my phone will notify me if the door is open for any reason, I can rest easier as well.  I travel a lot, and all of this goes towards keeping me comfortable leaving my house unattended.  I don't like giving people keys, and I like the idea that I can create temporary access codes and then revoke them if I don't want that person to have access.  Also, if someone who doesn't have a key needs to get in, and I want them to go in the house while I'm gone, remote unlocking is extremely useful.

[bkenobi]

When I rekeyed my house, I was concerned about giving out a key as well.  So, I have 4 different keys for all the doors.  The front door, the garage man door, and the door from the garage to the house all have different keys from the remainder of the exterior doors so I can give a key out for specific access and change just one lock should the key become compromised.  I REALLY wanted to get one of those quick rekey locks (Schlage and Kwikset make them, but my locks are neither brand and incompatible).  Electronic would be cool because you could potentially make a code that lasts for a certain duration or is only good during certain hours.  As I said, the Zwave connectivity is my only potential concern since any time you add connectivity it can potentially become compromised.

But, yes it only take minimal experience and tools to pick a lock in as few as several seconds, so...

[RoChess]

Also keep in mind that a Schlage Z-Wave lock doesn't just add to your Z-Wave controller like regular modules via basic inclusion, additional steps are required that add a stronger encryption path. Probably why they aren't supported yet in HomeGenie as it requires extra code to support this.

Still waiting on mine to arrive. It was one of the first modules I ordered, but retailer messed up stock count, so been waiting on them getting and new shipment from distributor. Scored such a good deal, that I ended up waiting versus canceling the order, and last update shows me it will arrive next week.

And ask any security expert, and they will tell you that security is not about keeping somebody out, but delaying them enough so that it is either not worth their effort, or that help can arrive on time to catch them. Lock picks, bump keys, etc are an easy way to get past regular locks, but lot of theft occurs from an open window/door, or unlocked door. Automating that via Z-Wave is at least an easy way to never forget, and Schlage locks can auto-lock very easy even without a controller, as well as give you instant feedback on their locked status.

Due to computerized conrol you can indeed give out PIN codes to say a dog walker that is only valid during the hours they are expected to walk the dog, and raise the alarm when used outside of that timespan. The Schlage locks even have a build in alarm, but I will tie that into the Aeon-Labs siren and alarm lights as well.

http://www.schlage.com/en/home/products/FE469NXCAMFFFACC.html is the one I went with and it supports 30 user-codes. Probably only end up using one code for myself as a backup, as I will apply other Z-Wave methods to recognize me biometrically for hands free unlock entrance. Still need to figure out a way to have the door itself open and close automatically. Found a deal for $209 on the set, and plan to get just the deadbolt for the balcony backdoor, which usually goes on sale for $139.

Was forced to switch to a Vera3 as controller so that I will be able to actually use the Schlage frontdoor lock and Nest thermostat when they arrive, but I will help with HomeGenie testing/functionality on the balcony lock.

[jensbodal]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this was the most recent post I found for this.  Does anyone know if Yale locks are supported yet or if there are plans to support them?