Peter Mac

Creating an automated development sandbox so I don’t waste time wondering what I broke last.

I use a long term Linode server as a test and learn palyground. I find it useful to have a non mission-critical server to which I can test out various tools and services on. Unfortunately, over time this box by its very nature is prone to tech drift as I look back at my command history, I can see the times where I’ve installed lots of experimental libraries, repositories and other software versions. The idea with this project is to create the ability at any time to go back to basics, nuke the box and start playing all over again with ansible used for automation of the setup and install.

When starting a home automation setup in a new (or existing) property, several key points of consideration should be made to ensure high availability of services and overall system efficiency.

Embarking on the journey of home automation can feel like stepping into a realm filled with endless possibilities and, admittedly, a bit of confusion.

Background

When I first dived into this world, the array of protocols - Z-Wave, Matter, Zigbee, and more - felt overwhelming. Through trial, error, and a lot of learning, I’ve found a setup that works seamlessly for me, centered around Zigbee and Home Assistant. Here’s a breakdown of what I wish I knew when starting out, and how different protocols differ and operate.