How to setup DietPi ready for openHAB, Node-RED and Velbus

Hello everyone

As part of the series of videos I’m creating to help everyone with their Velbus setup, I have created a video that very briefly touches on all the points needed to get an Odroid C2 SBC up and running with DietPI, Node-RED, openHAB2, VelServ and Velbus binding.

If you choose a different SBC, I think the principles remain the same if you choose DietPi as your Debian OS flavor.

I welcome your feedback.

I apologise in advance for the length of this video, my only defence is that I think it contains everything you need to know to get a fresh Odroid C2 up and running with :-
DietPi OS
Java
Node-RED
openHAB2
VelServ
and Velbus

I have created an accompanying PDF guide with download links and code snippets, which can be found here -

To make navigating this video even easier, there is a list of time markers so that you can skip to the parts that are of interest to you at the end of this text.

Thank you for watching, if there are any parts that you would like more information on, please comment below or get in touch via any of the forums.

Time Line points

Odroid C2 Kit unwrapped https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=18

Download DietPi https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=77

Download Etcher https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=119

Assemble Odroid C2 https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=142

Booting up and access via PuTTY https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=286

DietPi software setup, including Node-RED & Java (64 bit) https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=329

Installing openHAB2 manually https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=440

Installing VelServ and Velbus Binding https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=576

Starting openHAB2 https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=668

Adding the Serial Binding https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=724

Creating the Velbus Network Bridge https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=810

Adding Items via PaperUI https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=900

Adding Items with a Text file https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=999

Simple DSL rule https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=1323

Adding Node-RED to dashboard and openHAB2 nodes https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=1613

Adding an LCD screen to the Odroid C2 https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=1957

Adding a 7 Inch HDMI touch screen to the Odroid C2 https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=2208

Configuring Chromium autostart https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=2301

Thank you for watching https://youtu.be/TqZquvxN_aQ?t=2426

3 Likes

What a awesome video Stuart! I have only made it half through the video by now… I will finish it later…

One suggestion though, which is a kinda of optimized work flow I´m always using.

Insted of using the front tail log from putty (command line). Open up your browser and point it to URL http://ip_of_the_system:9001
Then you´ll have front tail logging running in a browser window real time. And you have an filter option as well.

I use this methode all the time, cause in case I´ve done something wrong, (which I ofcoúse never do :laughing: ), when creating or changing manual files (like items, things, rules etc), the log will tell me at the very second I save the file.
So I always keep an eye on the log. Also to make sure openhab is actually reading the file/changes.

This methode has saved me a lot of concerns in time, when struggling getting things to work, cause beside promting when things are going wrong, it also show/give me an indication of why, making it alot easier to fix.

There is a slight downside though:
When having a big system where lots are going on at the same time. This window will scroll VERY fast. I have aprox 3-5 seconds from a saved file to spot any issues… Thats why I keep it open :smiley:
You can use the filtering option if you know what filter to set. But normally I just keep the window open. And in case of an issue/error/warning, there wil be a read mark, which is faster to spot even in 3-5 seconds. Then I have the option to scroll back and read more closely in case of any doubts.

Again, this is just a suggestion for an optimized workflow, rather than using the command line. Hope anyone finds it usefull.

1 Like

Thanks Kim

I think that’s an extra service that needs to be installed.

Certainly something I’ve seen in the openhabian installation menu.

Hmm, it may be different for other install packages of openhab2, but yes in openhabian its default. I wonder how come its not default in all packages…Its a great option.

Because…

“Frontail” is a totally separate service, external to openHAB2

Which doesnt explain why its default in openhabian :smiley:

I think Markus is better positioned to explain in more detail.

It’s my understanding that Frontail is included in the openhabian installation method, rather than “standard” to openHAB2.

(I’m totally prepared be wrong here)

I believe your right…
I think its a choice of simplicity… Using openhabian is for not knowledged user, where as using other packages are for “nerds”, whom I would assume already know how to install front tail.
Thats the best reason I can think of.

Anyway - I suggest everyone to install/use the front tail logging then :smiley:

1 Like

@smarthome-training Thomas has created a fabulous series of videos which follows on perfectly from my simple setup video .

Thanks Thomas, you’ve obviously put an incredible amount of effort and energy into these videos.

Link to Thomas’s YouTube playlist

Hi Stuart,

great that you share your knowledge as well.Even if your video is long, it is great to have all in one and your time line is all you need.
Really great is the thing with the touch screen. I will have to try this.

Stay save, regards
Thomas

1 Like

Like your videos Thomas. Things are not going too fast, which I believe is great for new users.

1 Like

Thanks Kim, I heard that from others. Maybe because I am not native english :wink:

Thats often the best one to do these kinds of courses, in my opinion. I bet, If you were using your native language (german I guess?), you would probably be going through these things alot faster, with chances of loosing some of the listeners, even german ones because its technical stuff.

My top rated vidoes are either in english from non native english speaking people, or from native english people, as long as they speak “correct” english, without some annoying accent, (irsh and scottish can be very difficult unless they speak very slow. Even then they can be almost impossible to understand).
Many UK people I´ve heard are rather slow in their expression, having a very clear sound/voice. They´re in absolute no hurry… Its almost like they say… "Hello, let us sit down and have a nice cup of tea before we start the course. After that we´ll see if there´s time left to go through the course. If not, we will try again tomorrow, starting with a nice cup of tea first ofcouse. (sorry Stuart :wink: ). And yet they get their anyway, because of their slow speed, clean and clear voice as well as beeing highly fun sometimes. I just love english humor as its best. (I drink alot of tea as well. Sometimes I wonder if I´ll turn into a UK´ísh person with all that tea I drink every day :rofl: )…

Anyway enough about languages. Keep up the very good work you do Thomas. I´ll look forward to more advance courses coming up :slight_smile:

I have no idea what you’re suggesting…

No suggestion. Just some fun with the uk people. Guess it wasn´t, sorry :frowning_face:

1 Like

It was humour.

I totally get what you’re suggesting.

Things here are either rushed through, in order to make time for going to the Theatre.

Or

Slowed right down, in order to accommodate everyone, or breaks for tea, or breaks so that everyone can get some tea.

**** Coffee is optional

***** But biscuits aren’t, there must always be biscuits (dunking is optional)

Yes, indeed it is german.
It is always hard to get the correct speed and depth in teaching a topic when your audience can be anybody.

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Thats why I prefere UK “correct” speaking english, or none native UK english. Most people will find that most comfortable I believe :wink:

Crap, I totally forgot about the biscuits, even though I was actually drinking tea and eating biscuits while writing it… Guess I have a very long way to becoming a true english man :rofl:

1 Like

Hi

For anyone that has got this far, you might be interested to know that the latest version of DietPi (V8.17) now has an installation option in the dietpi-software menu for OpenHAB

With this in mind, I’ll create another video showing the required steps.

Also showing the adjustments that have had to be made to fit in with the DietPi ecosystems

Such as moving the default secure web port to 8444 and adding the logs to the journaling system.

journalctl -u openhab


Please note

Per default, HTTPS is active ( port 8444 ) and HTTP is inactive (DietPi recommendation).
In cases, that HTTP shall be used, it can be activated in the file /etc/default/openhab by setting OPENHAB_HTTP_PORT= to your desired port.

4 Likes

:thinking: Can’t find openHAB listed on their website and the release notes….