What is a Hub?

What is a Smart Home or Home Automation Hub?

A Hub is a computer, it is a specialized computer. Like your cell phone is, in a sense also a computer but it is a specialized computer for the purpose of being a portable communications device. Some people do not realize that they probably have a couple dozen computers running in there home today. Even if the don't own a personal computer or laptop. Chances are you have a computer in your coffee maker. You have computers in your car, truck, suv, microwave, refrigerator, washer, dryer etc.. Depending on how recently they where purchased they even have networking gear inside them. Which means technically they could be already connecting to or could connect to other devices. Hubs range in price and capabilities from 1 end of the spectrum to the other. Some are great and some could could be used a paper weight. It is important to note that not all hubs are created equal.

Hubs are self contained computer's refereed to as standalone computers or devices. Meaning they do not require a external PC, computer or devices to operate. Some Hubs Run extremely efficient operating system's "The OS" that is fully optimized to run a limited yet specific set or array of hardware needed to operate and control your Smart Home or Home Automation System. There is other layers of software, involved at higher and lower layers to the OS. Like the specific application which you interface with to control everything. If that application has a user interface or "UI" you typically have hardwired controls or are using a Web Browser to access it directly. Others may not have a UI, but use a external applications on wireless devices including smartphone and tablet apps.Or they have they have both.

The reason I mention all of this is because these are things you should think about when deciding on a hub. If you want hard wired touch screen controls in every room built into your walls. You need hardware and software that will accommodate these needs. I personally want wireless devices as controls to interface with my system, Including Voice Controls.

A good hub can be packed with more ram and SSD type drive/s. So it can quickly and efficiently communicate with the array of communications hardware needed to control your various devices.

Since Smart Home Technologies are becoming more popular each day. More and more cheap knockoff-ish hubs are coming out of china. Claiming to use the most recent and advanced technologies needed to run and control your Smart Home or in this case not so smart home. I have seen and read about devices and hubs claiming to use z-wave plus. but do not control these devices very well at all. If these devices are truly Z-wave certified then other quality hubs should be able to communicate with these devices but don't even work with custom programming or even reprogramming the actual device.

There are other hubs currently on the market that do use modern communications technology bundled with proprietary technology. that communicate well with the vendors own devices and not so well with devices running standard technologies. Like WIFI, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Zigbee. In these cases it is not that they can not communicate using these technologies. It is that they are optimized to run there own tech and in most cases added on the other tech so they could check the box claiming to support these other technologies. In all fairness If I was the manufacture of these devices I would make our own tech the #1 priority. I also fully understand that when new tech pops up time after time it is a crap shoot if it is going to catch on. if it doesn't you have deeply integrated the wrong tech into your product. But these companies if they haven't already realized in order to compete they will need to deeply integrate WIFI, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-wave and make them work as well as there own tech.

I guess what i am trying to say is simply this, before buying a hub or a specialized server/pc's to run your Home Automation System or Smart Home. Ask your self at least these 3 questions.

1. Are you a DIYer? If so a Hub is probably what you are looking for.

What To Look For When Shopping For Your Home Automation Systems Brain(aka Computer or Hub)?

2. How much do you want to spend? If you go with a Server based model it is more expensive then a hub. With a larger server install you have techs installing all the equipment and programming it for you. They also offer ongoing support. There is also typically a monthly fee. If you are a DIYer, and wanting to start out slow and add pieces from time to time a hub is the way to go.

I hear it all the time in life someone always says money is not a issue, think about it if money is truly not a issue? Then once you are done please send me pictures specs and videos of your system because I would love to see what you end up with? Seriously I really would love to see what you can get with no or a high budget. I have seen pictures and read articles awhile back about Bill Gates home. It would be a dream come true to get to see his system in real life. Even better peak behind the curtains and see what makes it all work.

As I suspect for most of us at some degree and price point money becomes a issue. either a financial issue or just a personal issue where you don't feel comfortable spending it. This happens to me everyday when i am looking to test a new piece of my system. It is very hard for me to get over the current pricing on all the gear out there that is needed. I'm still stuck in the pricing from x10, each dollar spent went a really long way back then with there tech. It seems like back then you could fully automate a single room for about $100.00.

Today you are lucky if you get a quality switch's for $100.00. The reason i have gone on a bit about this one is because the Cost is very important. If you want a system that will run the largest variety of products by different companies using different technology. most often the other technologies cost less money. For instance you can get a blue tooth switch for as little as 1/2 of what a comparable Z-wave switch sales for. If that interest you, i know it does me. Spend a little more on your hub because a hub that truly supports all these technologies. Is a little more money, but worth it, because it will save you more money on the devices and give you the largest selection of devices that you can use.

3. Would you like to have access to a large community of users some of which are good coders and even actual developers for the manufacture of the hub? if that is important to you as much as it is to me then there is only one choice really

What To Look For When Shopping For Your Home Automation Systems Brain(aka Computer or Hub)?