Feasibility Question (0810 Home Solution) *Please Lock*

[cengbrecht]

New solution - Linux MCE * Packaging*

Linux MCE Whole Home Solution

Offering packages to setup and install Linux MCE customized for customers.
Including with or without options.

Required (As understood)
LinuxMCE core machine
LinuxMCE Media Directors (No known Limit)

Options
        Security
               Camera's IP or Direct connections
               Door and Window access monitoring (Magnetic strips or Automatic door locks)
               In and out of house monitoring
        Media
               DVD's ripped to computers
               All music and video's on NAS or local drives
               Video to any Media Director
        Power Controllers
               Lighting (Either lamps or actual lights)
               Lighting (Faded lights)
               Wall power and appliances
        Phone Systems
               Integration of Phones (IP or Analogue to interface card)
               Phone in location (rooms or offices)
               DID controlling (Direct Inward Dial)
        Emergency Services
               Notification of Police/emergency as required (input required from Operator unless time out of contact)
               Notification through photo or video if breach in security
               Monitoring of crimes in progress
               Records of all actions done in location while in secure mode

Hey guys (and Gals)
I was just curious what you think of the understanding I have of the system and if its accurate, and if there is more that the system can do?
I would like to operate this as part of my business, I understand that its open source, so forgive me if I am breaking a rule or part of the licencing.

Say I can go through with this system and get interest from customers, and the system is sold for 10,000 installed (average of possible choices), obviously some of the cost would be for the hardware, and then there is warranties and such, along with my time for install, and learning. Also there are taxes, and such, but if I can get this all done, and say there is 3,000 left for me, for support and the furthering of the project, I would be willing to support the project financially.

I know this may sound grand and like its not going to happen. I have recently been given support in the amount of 500 dollars for an initial setup and test machine.
If this setup works with the hardware chosen and I manage to get some more parts to setup a demonstration, I anticipate that I could have a financing company support me by offering financing to my customers.
So when a project is complete and the hardware is installed, the customer signs off on the install, and the financing company pays my company out in a lump sum. Thus everything done can be supported and paid back immediately.

Anyway, this is kind of a long post, but I have been discussing this since before the 0710 release.
So if there are any problems or solutions or idea's that you all have please feel free to reply to this and let me know.

Thanks for your time and for reading this.
 
   -Craig.

Also as an addendum, is there a method to make a 100% redundant core? (dual core's or something)

Also, Current Hardware Chosen.

Motherboard -      ASUS M5A88-M AM3+
Ram -                 8GB Kingston ValueRam 1333 2 Sticks
Video Card -         EVGA GeForce 8400 GS 1GB ram
Processor -          AMD Athlon II X2 260 3.2Ghz
Lan Card -           Intel PW LA8391GT 10/100/1000 PCI
Case -                Rosewill 4U Rackmount Tower
Power Supply -     Rosewill 600W ATx12v / EPS12v


After review and thought, and some critiquing, I have put my project on halt in favour of http://www.dianemo.co.uk/ in theory, they should be able to do most of what I want, and hopfully, someday we can come back to this.

Could a Mod please lock this thread.

[JoakimL]

Regarding your last question: I didn't look at the source code so I don't know exactly what's in there, but to make the Cores fully redundant, DCE would have to support this explicitly. From on architectural point of view, you'd have to have the two Cores running and the two DCE controllers would have to communicate and agree on a few things, like which Core is currently in charge. The second DCE would poll the other and when a sufficient number of polls failed and/or too long time have passed it would take command.
Then you'd have to look at every component in the system how to make it either fully redundant or to have it follow to Core (like a SAN, could be attached to two cores at the same time). To make things better, you could distribute work for the two Cores as long as both are operational. UpdateMedia and regen of Orbiter screens would be a candidate to run on the second Core to make the primary Core readily operational.
And then there would be a pile of more things to look into... ;-)

/Joakim

[Techstyle]

Good Luck

BTW there is a license that you need to sell hardware with LMCE loaded

[cengbrecht]

Out of curiosity, where do I apply to get this licence? Or documentation to apply for it?

Edit:
Quick search on LinuxMCE.com under development - > Licence I found this
http://www.linuxmce.org/PPL.pdf
Which says that I don't need a licence per-say, as much as reference to that there PDF, which is cool, the programmers and supporters deserve their emblem on this stuff.
I would like to get some metallic stickers with the LinuxMCE logo on them to adhere to all the computers and MD's I setup. That would be cool.
Edit the second:
It sounds like I may need only a licence for pluto devices, so that could be part of the core or not I am not sure. Either way, that is well deserved on their part, making a product freely available.

focusing exclusively on generating revenue through hardware distribution and licensing to hardware manufacturers. Ultimately Pluto’s revenues will come from end consumers with the means and desire to purchase a complete, hardware+software solution with Pluto’s software pre-installed.

Though I am still not sure where to get the licence or how to apply, or the cost associated. :p

[cengbrecht]

Regarding your last question: I didn't look at the source code so I don't know exactly what's in there, but to make the Cores fully redundant, DCE would have to support this explicitly. From on architectural point of view, you'd have to have the two Cores running and the two DCE controllers would have to communicate and agree on a few things, like which Core is currently in charge. The second DCE would poll the other and when a sufficient number of polls failed and/or too long time have passed it would take command.
Then you'd have to look at every component in the system how to make it either fully redundant or to have it follow to Core (like a SAN, could be attached to two cores at the same time). To make things better, you could distribute work for the two Cores as long as both are operational. UpdateMedia and regen of Orbiter screens would be a candidate to run on the second Core to make the primary Core readily operational.
And then there would be a pile of more things to look into... ;-)
/Joakim

Anyone smart enough and have enough free time if paid, to get this working or setup? (I am not a programmer or source editor, and don't have the assumed skills to do this?)

[JoakimL]

This is a major task and I would suggest it to be divided into several chunks of work based on priority. I assume I have the skills for designing such a solution but I surely don't have the time, paid or not.

/Joakim