#I would like to explore the possibility to implement an alarm system using Home Assistant

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

lost matrix
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I would need:

  • ability to run without internet connection
  • using ethernet/wifi and local wireless comms (like Zigbee or other low power devices for door contacts etc.)
  • ability to interface with digital inputs and outputs (local siren, another traditional alarm system)
  • camera integration with ability to detect human figure outside (for example I have a couple of Reolink)
  • simple remotes to activate deactivate the alarm
  • PI4/5
    Where do I start?
    Thanks in advance.
ionic pawn
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Alarmo and konnected are really solid pieces of kit
Frigate for camera stuff
What do you mean by remotes?

lost matrix
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I would like to return home and disable the alarm by a simple remote, you know old school

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I need a visual sign the alarm is on near the front door and near the garage

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I think I could do with a smartphone too, but I would stick to something that would work even if internet is not working

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I am looking at Frigate right now, but Reolink does have human figure detection locally and they are not that expensive so I would like to keep using them and possibly buy others

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It seems it require a full pc to run, I would like to stick to something like a PI

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Alarmo seems pretty interesting

ionic pawn
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Generally speaking you don't want to make your alarm system easy to disable remotely. You could use a zigbee button or something if you really wanted to, but that just feels like a really bad idea to me

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Reolink human detection is... OK, not great. If you're using it for security then something like Frigate which can even run facial detection is really nice, but yes you'll need additional hardware

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You can use reolink cameras with it though (wired ones work best)

lost matrix
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The problem is that usability trumps security when family is involved. I could allow someone to enter the front door and disable the alarm by a keyboard but it will end up most of the time they won't make it on time and the alert will trigger. Not to mention you can return home by the garage and I would like the garage be covered as well.

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I could use the smartphone with an app (if I am not mistaked HA does have something) but I would like a way to disable/enable it should internet go down.

ionic pawn
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Why is your family incapable of inputting a 4 digit code within a minute or two of entering the door? You can make the timer whatever you want

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Put a keypad in the garage

lost matrix
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Because you always have different priorities LOL

ionic pawn
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When the security system is beeping at you until you put in the code, they'll put in the code

lost matrix
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I would also be able to wake up at night and be able to go downstairs without having to rush to the keyboard

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And I am not fond of pre entry delays in general, not to mention having to deal with a keyboard for this kind of stuff

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Could I use a digital input to the PI to add a remote that will activate a relay to activate and another to deactivate it? I will keep the keyboard nevertheless.

ionic pawn
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Generally - a good rule for diy is ask "how do professionals do this" - and very few alarm systems will do a 1 button disarm.

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Use zigbee buttons if you must do this. They have good battery life (a couple of years), are kind of secure (they need to be allowed to join your network before they can send any button presses, and then ha needs to be configured to listen to them)

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And they're premade, cheap, and simple

lost matrix
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I could create a supadupa remote with a Teensy and use AES-256 plus a voodoo dance in front of the camera with facial recognition and DNA sampling but in the end it is just a small villa. If they want to enter, they will do it.

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Never used zigbee but what do you mean by button? is it wireless I hope

ionic pawn
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Zigbee is a wireless standard. You can buy little buttons that connect via it for less than a tenner like a garage opener would work - but more locally

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And if you're going to be a sarcastic shit about it your "supadupa remote and voodoo dance with dna recognition" is also not how professionals do it, so would also not be advisable.
Good luck with it. I'm out

lost matrix
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If it would last one year under normal use it could solve one of the missing parts of the puzzle

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Then I would understand how difficult is to interface alarmo with digital I/O of the PI

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I already have a wired siren, I would need to interface more stuff but it seems doable

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I was telling you that if they want they will do, been there a couple of times. Luckily nothing bad happened but clearly I would like to have an alarm finally.

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Sorry if you feld I was making fun of you it was not my intention but in any case I apolgize. I will take a peek at Alarmo and Frigate, the former seems more akin to what I would like to implement than the second (I would try to have a pc on 24/7) but maybe it is worth to keep it on.

slender hull
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Another easy way to enter without a remote would be to use a smartlock with NFC tags. My Yale front door lock can integrate with HA, telling it which tag was used to open the door. HA can then disarm the alarm and unlock the door at the same time. You can get a keypad with NFC reader for the garage.

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This is my long term plan. Plus cross reference presence. If my key is used but my location says i'm elsewhere, maybe require a pin too.

lost matrix
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Hi Shadowthorn, NFC (at least the standard ones) can easily forged and bypassed, but my biggest problem with that is that I would need to jump off the car/bike, I don't have a place to put the reader reachable without getting off the car. Maybe with the bike, but still easier something like a remote.

lost matrix
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I tried to acquire a front door with a wireless activation system but they didn't convince me, it required bluetooth plus an app. I asked details, like what if they stop supporting the app and so on, they didn't have any answer so I went for a "normal" front door. I could look at changing the cylinder with a smart one(Yale?), but in the end I put a keyboard near the garage door. If I don't want to use the keys, I could enter from the garage typing a code.

slender hull
slender hull
# lost matrix I tried to acquire a front door with a wireless activation system but they didn'...

While NFC can technically be copied the person needs to be hands-on with your keys. Much like taking a photo/imprint of a physical key. They only have a range of a few inches, unlike copying/spoofing a RF remote (like garage/car remotes) where you just have to be within remote-range when the button is pressed.
I haven't looked in detail, but my understanding is that every NFC tag suitable for these locks has a unique serial number hard coded into the chip at manufacture. So even if you copy the unlock code into the key's data section, the lock will reject it because the serial number doesn't match.

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Another thought... Since Home Assistant can be configured to unlock the Yale (just for example) lock, you could attach an NFC tag/sticker to your car/bike. Then scan that tag with your phone. You can get that to run an automation to unlock the doors, turn off alarm and turn on lights etc.

whole dust
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Nfc also means you need to be next to it, no remote trick, need physical access, and need to be logged on ha to be able to use nfc.

I feel like the physical presence + login is enough.
If the thief has access to ha with login and is authenticated on your local network, your security is dead anyways because he would just disable it from HA directly

tawny current
lost matrix
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I can't use a NFC without getting off the car/bike, so it is not handy for me.

slender hull