How the forums are laid out
- Smart Hub and Assistant Discussion: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, openHAB, Home Assistant, ioBroker, Domoticz, Xiaomi Mi Hub and Tasmota.
- Smart Home Protocols Discussion: ONVIF, 433MHz RF, LoRa, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Back to Base Monitoring, OSDP, BACnet, DMX512, Modbus, Bluetooth and IP network discovery.
- CCTV Cameras, NVR and DVR Systems: IP cameras, video doorbells and network video recorders.
- Alarm Systems and Sensors: Alarm System Integration (with a forum each for Ademco / Honeywell, Bosch, Paradox, Inner Range, Interlogix, ICT Protege, Gallagher and Xecure), Wifi Wireless Sensors and Other Wireless Sensor Integration.
- Access Control Systems: RFID reader and Bluetooth / RFID reader discussion.
- Smart Lighting Systems: Wifi and Zigbee lighting, DMX512 lighting, and Smart Lighting HUB Discussion (including IKEA TRÃ…DFRI, Sengled and Lifx).
- Plant / Garden Irrigation and Watering Systems: Smart Mower Discussion.
- Programming and API Forums: code and API questions.
- Smart Home Entertainment Integration: Smart TV Discussion (Android, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Panasonic Viera and IPTV) and Games Console Integration.
Many forums now have an overview plus a hands-on project. The overviews are linked below, and the project is usually the next topic number.
- Platforms: Home Assistant, openHAB, SmartThings, ioBroker, Domoticz, Tasmota, Xiaomi, Alexa, Google Home.
- Cameras: video doorbells, NVRs, IP cameras.
- Sensors and radio: Wi-Fi sensors, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LoRa and 433 MHz, Bluetooth and NFC, LoRa bands, Zigbee design, Z-Wave.
- Lighting: Wi-Fi lighting, lighting hubs, DMX512.
- Network, mowers and consoles: device discovery, robot mowers, games consoles.
- Building and access protocols: BACnet, Modbus, OSDP.
- Alarm vendors, lighting hubs and TVs: Ademco / Honeywell, Bosch, Paradox, Inner Range, Interlogix, ICT Protege, Gallagher, IKEA TRÃ…DFRI, Sengled, Lifx, Android Smart TV, LG webOS and Panasonic Viera each have an overview and a project in their own forum.
How to ask a good question
- Post in the forum closest to your device or platform.
- Give the exact model, firmware or software version, and how it connects (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, serial, Zigbee and so on).
- Say what you expected, what happened instead, and any error text copied exactly. Put logs and configuration in a code block (the code button in the editor).
- List what you have already tried.
- Remove passwords, API keys, tokens, alarm codes and public IP addresses before you post.
- One problem per thread is easier to search for later.
These are suggestions for keeping the forums useful, not a formal rulebook.
- Be kind and be specific. Everyone started somewhere.
- Do not share real alarm codes, installer codes or credentials, or instructions for defeating a security system you do not own.
- If you share a how-to, say what you tested and what you did not. Many of the posts here are written from vendor documentation and say so near the top.
- Safety first: mains wiring is for licensed electricians, and an alarm panel must work on its own, with the monitoring company told before any change.
Most posts repeat the same advice for a reason. Change default passwords, put IoT and camera devices on their own VLAN with a DHCP reservation, allow only your automation system to reach them, do not port-forward, use a VPN for remote access, and keep plaintext protocols on a local network.
Corrections welcome
Vendor software and Home Assistant integrations change quickly. If something here is out of date or wrong, reply and say so, with a link to the source.
Discussion: which forums do you use most, and what would you like covered next?