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Device Management

Learn how to add, configure, and manage devices in your Homix system.

Supported Device Types

Homix supports a wide variety of smart home devices through different protocols:

💡 Lighting

  • Smart bulbs (Philips Hue, LIFX)
  • Smart switches
  • Dimmers
  • LED strips

🌡️ Climate Control

  • Thermostats
  • Temperature sensors
  • Humidity sensors
  • Smart vents

🔒 Security

  • Smart locks
  • Door/window sensors
  • Motion detectors
  • Security cameras

🏠 Home Control

  • Smart plugs
  • Window covers
  • Garage doors
  • Smart speakers

Device Discovery

Homix can automatically discover many devices on your network using several methods:

Automatic Discovery

  1. Open the Homix dashboard
  2. Navigate to the "Devices" section
  3. Click "Auto-discover devices"
  4. Wait for the scan to complete
  5. Review and add discovered devices

Discovery Methods

  • mDNS/Bonjour: Discovers network-enabled devices
  • UPnP: Finds multimedia and control devices
  • Protocol scanning: Zigbee, Z-Wave, WiFi protocols
  • Manufacturer APIs: Cloud-connected devices

Manual Device Addition

For devices that can't be auto-discovered, you can add them manually:

  1. Click "Add Device" in the devices section
  2. Select the device type or protocol
  3. Enter device-specific information (IP address, device ID, etc.)
  4. Configure authentication if required
  5. Test the connection and save

Device Configuration

Basic Settings

Each device can be configured with:

  • Name: Friendly name for the device
  • Room: Assign to a specific room or area
  • Tags: Labels for grouping and automation
  • Icon: Visual representation in the dashboard

Advanced Configuration

Protocol Settings

Configure protocol-specific parameters like polling intervals, authentication keys, and communication preferences.

State Mapping

Map device states to standard Homix formats for consistent automation and display across different device types.

Update Frequency

Set how often the device state is polled or how frequently it reports changes to optimize performance and battery life.

Device States and Commands

Understanding Device States

Device states represent the current condition of a device. Common states include:

Binary states: on/off, open/closed, locked/unlocked
Numeric states: temperature, brightness, battery_level
Text states: mode, status, color
Complex states: JSON objects with multiple properties

Sending Commands

Control devices by sending commands through the dashboard or automations:

# Example NATS commands
nats pub home.devices.living-room-light.command '{"action": "turn_on"}'
nats pub home.devices.thermostat.command '{"temperature": 72}'
nats pub home.devices.garage-door.command '{"action": "open"}'

Device Groups and Rooms

Organizing Devices

Group devices logically for easier management:

  • Rooms: Organize by physical location (Living Room, Kitchen, Bedroom)
  • Device Types: Group by function (All Lights, All Sensors, Security Devices)
  • Custom Groups: Create custom groupings for specific automation needs

Group Actions

Perform actions on entire groups:

  • Turn off all lights in a room
  • Set all thermostats to away mode
  • Check battery levels of all sensors
  • Update firmware for all devices of a type

Device Health and Monitoring

Health Indicators

Monitor device health through various indicators:

Online: Device is responding and functioning normally
Warning: Device has issues but is still functional (low battery, weak signal)
Offline: Device is not responding or has lost connection
Unknown: Device status cannot be determined

Troubleshooting Device Issues

Common device problems and solutions:

Device Not Responding

  • Check network connectivity
  • Verify power supply
  • Restart the device
  • Check protocol-specific requirements

Slow Response Times

  • Check network congestion
  • Adjust polling frequency
  • Move closer to hub/router
  • Update device firmware

Inconsistent States

  • Refresh device state manually
  • Check for interference
  • Verify state mapping configuration
  • Reset device and reconfigure

Device Security

Authentication

Secure your devices with proper authentication:

  • API Keys: Use manufacturer-provided API keys
  • Certificates: Install device certificates for encrypted communication
  • Local Authentication: Use local credentials when available
  • Network Isolation: Consider VLANs for device isolation

Best Practices

  • Change default passwords on all devices
  • Keep device firmware updated
  • Use separate network for IoT devices when possible
  • Regularly audit device access and permissions
  • Monitor device communications for unusual activity

Integration Examples

Popular Device Integrations

Philips Hue

# Auto-discovery finds Hue bridge
# Manual: Add bridge IP and generate API key
# Supports: Lights, sensors, switches

Nest Thermostat

# Requires Google Developer account
# Uses OAuth2 for authentication
# Supports: Temperature control, schedules, sensors

Zigbee Devices

# Requires Zigbee coordinator (Conbee, CC2531)
# Uses Zigbee2MQTT bridge
# Supports: Wide variety of manufacturers

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