In this post, we'll install Duplicati, which can regularly back up our PiCloud/PiNAS/PiWork or PiHome either to an external USB drive, locally over the network, or to the cloud.

In this tutorial, we will install Pi-Hole on Casa OS. Pi-Hole helps filter out ads at the network level, meaning it will block ads on all computers, TVs, tablets, and mobile phones connected to our home network. Additionally, it allows us to monitor which sites our devices are communicating with and gives us the option to block social media or disinformation channels for our own benefit.

In the post, we will demonstrate step by step how to communicate directly with the GoodWe inverter in a smart home setup and obtain real-time information (unlike the SEMS portal). This information is essential if we want to react to current parameters in a smart home, such as activating additional cooling or controlling a socket with a various load.

In this post, we will show you how to retrieve information from a photovoltaic power plant by Victron. We will connect to the Cerbo unit via MQTT. Based on these values, we can control various appliances (heating, boiler, etc.) and prevent the battery from being drained when they don't need to be.

In this article, we will connect the Amazon Echo Dot voice assistant with open source home automation. We won't be using OpenHAB Cloud, so everything runs locally. In this case, a few additional settings are necessary, but the result is worth it!

Wall tablet or older smartphone is perfectly suited as a central indicator of the state of the home, as well as controlling it. It usually replaces the video doorbell and as example, you can play your favorite music or read recipes on it during cooking in your kitchen. In the article, we describe a functional example of such a "wall" tablet and its settings in so-called kiosk mode so, display doesn't run at night and only reacts when someone is nearby.

Native support for OpenHAB is provided by video intercom by Doorbird company. The solution is powered and connected by a UTP cable and has its own IP address to make it easier for you to install at the gate. OpenHAB is then able to import images from the intercom, visit history, manage gate opening on the button and by the phone, do not disturb feature during night, alarm feature etc. In the instructions we guide you how to use OpenHAB with Doorbird D101.

Sometimes you need to edit SMB shared folders and add new location. In Samba, the configuration file smb.conf is the configuration file you should edit. Below it's described how to edit configuration as you want.

We provide tutorial for the connection of the active Nilan recuperation unit, in our case the VP18 K WT type with OpenHAB 3. By communicating via Modbus it is possible to read the whole range of values, but mainly also to control the unit through OpenHAB. This allows us to remotely or programmatically change the performance and ventilation settings depending on the mode (night, cooking, etc.)

NFC (Near Field Communication) tags are small plastic or paper stickers that can be used to automate various functions in the smart home. In this article, we will show you examples of use and a guide on how to write an action on an NFC tag using a mobile phone.