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Users / LMCE newb... what do I need?
« on: September 08, 2011, 06:21:17 am »
Ok... so I'm intrigued by LMCE and really want to do both media / entertainment, home automation and security... possibly VOIP.
I'm a technology professional but novice with home automation and security and limited exposure to VOIP aside from 3rd party providers.
Here's my setup...
I currently have a Windows 7 HTPC connected to my HDTV with about a TB of storage (though I'd like to reconfigure this as it's a dynamic disk stripped across (2) 500GB drives and will probably fail soon. These are almost full of movies. Currently, I have a wireless card in this machine for access to my WLAN, but the performance is unacceptable when streaming from my NAS to watch 720/1080p movies so...
I have a 20-bay chassis with (10) 1TB drives in 2 RAID sets with a global hotspare for a total of 7TB of usable storage running FreeNAS.
I run a 2-node vSphere cluster with twin IBM xSeries 3500's connected via iSCSI from FreeNAS, each with 8GB of RAM. I've been thinking about cutting my cluster down to a single node and either using the other one for a core server or getting rid of it altogether (it's very loud and consumes alot of power).
I also run a decent Dell PC as an Untangled router...
I also have a another PC that I run Windows 7 on for my home desktop (as opposed to my work-provided laptop).
All of this is connected to a 48-port managed gig switch capable of VLAN tagging (which currently separates my storage network from my internet accessible network, as well as my ESXi management networks... routed via router on a stick with a Cisco 2651XM router)
Anywho... I'm planning to have my house wired so that I can use my NAS for streaming media as opposed to storing on the the HTPC. I know I can simply copy my media from the HTPC to the NAS and then use the HTPC as a MD or a hybrid (though I assume I might be better off running the Core on one of my servers). I have DirecTV and would like to control my DirecTV system via LMCE... I had a Gyration remote but it has died and I haven't yet replaced it. Do I need to have a TV tuner card to do this? I recognize that I'll need to get some sort of HDMI-in card to accept the signal from the box. Do my recordings then get recorded on the DVR or LMCE?
I've settled on Insteon for my home automation protocol but don't know what all I need to get started using insteon with LMCE. Do I need to get an Insteon starter pack with access points (bridges) or a controller to connect to LMCE? Or can I simply purchase insteon compatible switches/dimmers and connect the PLC to LMCE via USB?
Also, I have an existing honeywell security system that is currently not monitored by a security company. How do I connect the security system to LMCE and utilize existing door/window sensors and motion detectors?
As for VOIP, I'm assuming you have to have a telephone line to the PSTN to run Asterisk? Are there any ways to connect VOIP phones to the PSTN over the internet (aside from Vonage/Joiphone/etc)? I currently use Google Voice but i know there are limitations and such for connecting to external phone numbers.
Just looking for a little guidance... I know there's a lot here, but I appreciate any guidance you can provide.
I'm a technology professional but novice with home automation and security and limited exposure to VOIP aside from 3rd party providers.
Here's my setup...
I currently have a Windows 7 HTPC connected to my HDTV with about a TB of storage (though I'd like to reconfigure this as it's a dynamic disk stripped across (2) 500GB drives and will probably fail soon. These are almost full of movies. Currently, I have a wireless card in this machine for access to my WLAN, but the performance is unacceptable when streaming from my NAS to watch 720/1080p movies so...
I have a 20-bay chassis with (10) 1TB drives in 2 RAID sets with a global hotspare for a total of 7TB of usable storage running FreeNAS.
I run a 2-node vSphere cluster with twin IBM xSeries 3500's connected via iSCSI from FreeNAS, each with 8GB of RAM. I've been thinking about cutting my cluster down to a single node and either using the other one for a core server or getting rid of it altogether (it's very loud and consumes alot of power).
I also run a decent Dell PC as an Untangled router...
I also have a another PC that I run Windows 7 on for my home desktop (as opposed to my work-provided laptop).
All of this is connected to a 48-port managed gig switch capable of VLAN tagging (which currently separates my storage network from my internet accessible network, as well as my ESXi management networks... routed via router on a stick with a Cisco 2651XM router)
Anywho... I'm planning to have my house wired so that I can use my NAS for streaming media as opposed to storing on the the HTPC. I know I can simply copy my media from the HTPC to the NAS and then use the HTPC as a MD or a hybrid (though I assume I might be better off running the Core on one of my servers). I have DirecTV and would like to control my DirecTV system via LMCE... I had a Gyration remote but it has died and I haven't yet replaced it. Do I need to have a TV tuner card to do this? I recognize that I'll need to get some sort of HDMI-in card to accept the signal from the box. Do my recordings then get recorded on the DVR or LMCE?
I've settled on Insteon for my home automation protocol but don't know what all I need to get started using insteon with LMCE. Do I need to get an Insteon starter pack with access points (bridges) or a controller to connect to LMCE? Or can I simply purchase insteon compatible switches/dimmers and connect the PLC to LMCE via USB?
Also, I have an existing honeywell security system that is currently not monitored by a security company. How do I connect the security system to LMCE and utilize existing door/window sensors and motion detectors?
As for VOIP, I'm assuming you have to have a telephone line to the PSTN to run Asterisk? Are there any ways to connect VOIP phones to the PSTN over the internet (aside from Vonage/Joiphone/etc)? I currently use Google Voice but i know there are limitations and such for connecting to external phone numbers.
Just looking for a little guidance... I know there's a lot here, but I appreciate any guidance you can provide.