[ale] Z-Wave or ZigBee

[Chris Fowler]

I'm looking to move from X10 to something more "robust". I'm confused on which of Z-Wave and ZigBee would be best for Linux support. 

Here is my current X10 setup: 

1. Desktop runs bottlerocket with firecracker. 
2. Desktop runs a SOAP API I wrote. 
3. Pi2 has a single page web "app". 
4. Pi2 runs a SOAP API I wrote. 
5. N3DSXL is my interface to a few things, including X10. 

I send an on/off command to the Pi2 over SOAP. It sends commands to the desktop either 
local net or VPN (I can take Pi2 with me and still have control). The desktop then processes 
the command, execute bottle rocket and automation happens (sometimes). 

This system works well and I want to keep it. This allows me to do direct control on my desktop too. What I do not like is that X10 has issues in my home and I'm thinking of using RF to directly control the devices. X10 provides me no ACK of a command. I want to be able to query this system to see what state the device is in. 

I was using SSH and Expect from the Pi2 to my desktop to execute bottle rocket, but it was taking too long. I just crafted up a SOAP server on my desktop and it does the work now. Went from 12s to 3s to get a response to the N3DSXL after it sent a command. 

FYI, The whole idea of using the N3DSXL was simply a learning project for me. I built my own HomePass system on a Pi2 from basically scratch. Having done that I then was able to automate it via CLI. I wanted to send commands to the HP system from the 3DS. That device is locked down so I decided to write a web interface that would look like an app. Doing this taught me JQuery, JSON, and a few other technologies that other developers help me out on. After controlling HomePass I decided to control my bench lights (X10). I then added a device that does VHF GMSK to a digital ham radio. Instead of control the device from the radio, I just control it as well from the 3DS,. Eventually the interface will grow and the 3DS will provide me even more info and control. 

I think I can get a cheap USB RF dongle for Z-Wave that will run on Linux. Then I just need to buy outlet adapters, wall switches, etc. 
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