Since LinuxMCE has security system logic included (in the form of the Security Plugin), you do not need a separate security panel, although one is supported and can be used if it has a method to communicate with it (such as RS-232 or Ethernet).. The Apex 6100 security panel, and a few others are supported in this way....
Nominally, all you need are some sensors, and IP cameras.
The sensors can come from a variety of sources... the most popular are sensors that connect to a contact closure. These can be interfaced with a GC-100 to LinuxMCE. These can include:
* Door contacts
* Window Contacts
* Smoke Alarms
* Pool Quality detectors
* Air Quality detectors
* momentary contact buttons for doorbells
* chimes
* passive infra-red motion detectors (PIR)
* more!
Other HA stuff, such as Z-Wave, have a motion sensor that you can purchase and integrate into a Z-Wave network. LinuxMCE can read this as well, and provide motion detected events.
You can also use the wide variety of X-10 devices that mimic lamp modules in response to motion events. These work just fine as well paired with an X-10 computer interface.
Regardless of what you choose, you can mix and match any of the above to provide the sensors you need. Simply add them, and once they're added, go into the floorplan wizard to position them on the floorplan. You can then go into Active Sensors and set what to do for each type of sensor, and optionally pair the sensors with the nearest camera.
As for cameras, we currently support a variety of different cameras:
* Panasonic IP Cameras (BL-xxx)
* Axis IP cameras
* D-Link 5300 camera
* Generic V4L device attached to Motion
* Generic Firewire device attached to Motion
I recommend the Panasonic camera the most.
With all these things in place, you can create a security system with very little effort, or create complex events in response to sensors. The possibilities are limitless.
-Thom