Reef Central Online Community - View Single Post - Howto: Use a Linksys Router as Wireless Reef Controller

barebottoms · 12/10/2004, 07:10 PM

Okay it is way too early as a functional device, but I accomplished my first hurdle today. I got the Free Belkin Wireless router (after rebates and YMMV dealio) to take my own image. No big deal, but it took me 3 days to get it accept my hacked filesystem.

Project Description:
-------------------------
Yeah yeah, there's been at least 50 million Reef Controller starts. This one will probably go the way of the dinosaurs too, but I always wanted an Open Hardware, Open Source project so even if it does you're free to make any changes you want. No commericial intent, keep it fair and don't skirt GPL like Sveasoft.

So my idea was to take a wireless AP and make it be a reef controller. A lot of the ones on the market run Linux already, it is a matter of finding the right one with enough information on getting into the box. The ASUS WL-500g would've been my first choice (with USB and Filesharing already built in), but the Belkin was free for me after rebate.

Communications:
----------------------
Since I'm starting with an AP, I will have Wireless and Ethernet on the device. I also needed a means to collect and control. I always liked 1 Wire Micro Lans, so the device needs to have serial or USB as well. Easy enough with the Broadcom based reference design AP's. Just a matter of enabling them on some APs.

Software:
-------------
This is the part where the most arguements take place on DIY reef controllers. So my idea is simple, do whatever you want. How my reef controller will work is as follows:

1) Use OWFS
http://owfs.sourceforge.net/
- http://owfs.sourceforge.net/WRT54G.html
- some one already went through the work to cross compile it on the WRT, so worst case is that I need to xcomplie for the Belkin if my model happens to use a different Kernel

2) Export the FUSE file system for OWFS and run whatever front end you want

On the system it self you will always have the real time data, so you can just do a simple script to Display on a 1 wire LCD which OWFS supports:

http://www.louisswart.co.za/1-Wire_Overview.html

3) OWHttp will give you access to the 1 Wire Devices from a remote browser.

With the exported OWFS you can write any type of front end you want to pretty up the output.

4) Control will go to a 1 Wire switch or relay board such as:
http://www.aagelectronica.com/aag/in...tml&lang=en-us

I've got schematics for several different ones, but don't know what I'll end up using since I only know basic electrons.

For the actual control, I will use cron on the embedded side so I can survive reboots etc. I'm really limited on space on the Belkin, so I man have to do a Server side control as well.

So that's my start, it's a proof of concept and it works. Just a matter of Cross compiling a few utilities, a bunch of scripts and a few brilliant EE types and slap the pieces together.

12/10/2004, 07:10 PM	#1
barebottoms Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 1,204	WRRC = Free as in Beer - (Wireless Recycled Reef Controller) Okay it is way too early as a functional device, but I accomplished my first hurdle today. I got the Free Belkin Wireless router (after rebates and YMMV dealio) to take my own image. No big deal, but it took me 3 days to get it accept my hacked filesystem. Project Description: ------------------------- Yeah yeah, there's been at least 50 million Reef Controller starts. This one will probably go the way of the dinosaurs too, but I always wanted an Open Hardware, Open Source project so even if it does you're free to make any changes you want. No commericial intent, keep it fair and don't skirt GPL like Sveasoft. So my idea was to take a wireless AP and make it be a reef controller. A lot of the ones on the market run Linux already, it is a matter of finding the right one with enough information on getting into the box. The ASUS WL-500g would've been my first choice (with USB and Filesharing already built in), but the Belkin was free for me after rebate. Communications: ---------------------- Since I'm starting with an AP, I will have Wireless and Ethernet on the device. I also needed a means to collect and control. I always liked 1 Wire Micro Lans, so the device needs to have serial or USB as well. Easy enough with the Broadcom based reference design AP's. Just a matter of enabling them on some APs. Software: ------------- This is the part where the most arguements take place on DIY reef controllers. So my idea is simple, do whatever you want. How my reef controller will work is as follows: 1) Use OWFS http://owfs.sourceforge.net/ - http://owfs.sourceforge.net/WRT54G.html - some one already went through the work to cross compile it on the WRT, so worst case is that I need to xcomplie for the Belkin if my model happens to use a different Kernel 2) Export the FUSE file system for OWFS and run whatever front end you want On the system it self you will always have the real time data, so you can just do a simple script to Display on a 1 wire LCD which OWFS supports: http://www.louisswart.co.za/1-Wire_Overview.html 3) OWHttp will give you access to the 1 Wire Devices from a remote browser. With the exported OWFS you can write any type of front end you want to pretty up the output. 4) Control will go to a 1 Wire switch or relay board such as: http://www.aagelectronica.com/aag/in...tml&lang=en-us I've got schematics for several different ones, but don't know what I'll end up using since I only know basic electrons. For the actual control, I will use cron on the embedded side so I can survive reboots etc. I'm really limited on space on the Belkin, so I man have to do a Server side control as well. So that's my start, it's a proof of concept and it works. Just a matter of Cross compiling a few utilities, a bunch of scripts and a few brilliant EE types and slap the pieces together.