tonelm54
asked on
Network Switch, but not the norm
Im looking for a relay type switch that I can plug into my network and query data from it and send data to it?
IE
Have a temp sensor and a switch, then by querying the temp via the PC, the relay can be triggured to activate a fan or such, I know it would be simpilar to just use a circuit to do this, but there are several things I wanna do, this was just the simpilest to explain.
Any CHEAP products to do this? or Circuit diagrams?
Tony
IE
Have a temp sensor and a switch, then by querying the temp via the PC, the relay can be triggured to activate a fan or such, I know it would be simpilar to just use a circuit to do this, but there are several things I wanna do, this was just the simpilest to explain.
Any CHEAP products to do this? or Circuit diagrams?
Tony
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Please clarify. Do you want the sensing devices data to be available over the network directly? Or is it okay to have one computer share the data.
You can just use actuators for the on off devices you want to control and reserve specific ports for the control data for each device.
Give us more specific in fo as to what you want to build.
Dr. Z
You can just use actuators for the on off devices you want to control and reserve specific ports for the control data for each device.
Give us more specific in fo as to what you want to build.
Dr. Z
ASKER
The data can just be queryied from another pc, like the X10 system, but I want to connect it to the network, not the mains electrics ring.
Simply buy the sensing devices you need (thermister for instance) and some actuator switches. You can buy sensors that will give variable digital output that you can connect to specific ports. You will need to find or write some software to establish the breakpoints for your control. When a device needs to be turned on or off the computer can send a signal directly to the concerned actuator.
You would wire all of this directly to the controlling computer. You could probably find all of this for wireless control as well. I will check around a bit and get back to you.
Dr. Z
You would wire all of this directly to the controlling computer. You could probably find all of this for wireless control as well. I will check around a bit and get back to you.
Dr. Z
ASKER
That was going to be the original plan, however the network cables are already running around the building, I know I can use the network cable itself (ie use the spare cables inside the CAT-5 cable) however was just wondering if you could plug a device onto the network and query it (like a print server)
Tony
Tony
Tony,
Unless you're an old school hack that "REALLY" knows how to use a soldering iron -- and write code to deal with the devices you hook up (via serial port?).. I'm going to re-recommend you look for SNMP queryable devices.
Put the logic in the end-device, instead of a remote PC. Report on it.
There is one non-trivial reason for doing this:
If the link between the remote PC and the "fan" (or whatever) is broken -- what does the device do? Reliability goes down when you introduce remote-controlled devices.
With more info, we'll be better able to recommend devices (or other) solutions for you.
Let us know more detail about what you want to achieve -- or we're shooting in the dark, I feel.
-- Scott.
Unless you're an old school hack that "REALLY" knows how to use a soldering iron -- and write code to deal with the devices you hook up (via serial port?).. I'm going to re-recommend you look for SNMP queryable devices.
Put the logic in the end-device, instead of a remote PC. Report on it.
There is one non-trivial reason for doing this:
If the link between the remote PC and the "fan" (or whatever) is broken -- what does the device do? Reliability goes down when you introduce remote-controlled devices.
With more info, we'll be better able to recommend devices (or other) solutions for you.
Let us know more detail about what you want to achieve -- or we're shooting in the dark, I feel.
-- Scott.
ASKER
OK, one example is to put a wind vain on a sensor, and query it to see which way the wind is blowing.
Nothing critical, just sensors and switches
Nothing critical, just sensors and switches
ASKER
found what I was looking for - http://www.digidave.co.uk/
-----Burton