Controllers
- Thread starter NicoleC
- Start date
NicoleC
New member
Because I can't connect to it remotely.
I already have all the separate gear; I'd like a controller in order to simplify and be able to access the data. And I WOULD respond to alerts, although the AC III Pro can be controlled remotely, too, which would be even better than driving home to adjust something.
For example, last time I was adjusting my heater, I forgot to put the tape strip back over it to hold the dial in place. Yesterday, the dog must have leaned up against it -- when I came home my tank was at 85F and the heater was still on! If I had been alerted, it would have been really cool to shut off the heater remotely, or run home at lunch to fix it.
(Tank is fine, by the way. Just a bit of a diatom bloom.)
®eefer
New member
I'm not sure a serial to wireless bridge would work considering that you should have to install drivers on a machine to make it work. In that case you'd need a PC, in which case you're spending way more to get he same thing done. Maybe I'm wrong though and you can operate it drivelessly through the AC Jr??
NicoleC
New member
I'm reading, but since I have a hardware firewall for my work connections, I have learned the hard way that Linksys doesn't play nice with the Sonicwall firewall for some reason; I ended up replacing my own wireless router to get my wireless network functioning.
If I already had an AC Jr it would be worth the $100 to give it a try, but since I don't it would be a pricey experiment. The link to the premade RS232 to WiFi is an option, though, since if that didn't work I would just return the adapter. Still gotta buy a controller that may not work for me, though!
If I already had an AC Jr it would be worth the $100 to give it a try, but since I don't it would be a pricey experiment. The link to the premade RS232 to WiFi is an option, though, since if that didn't work I would just return the adapter. Still gotta buy a controller that may not work for me, though!
Captain Quirk
New member
Nicole,
You mean INSIDE of the Firewall. Right?
And why can't you open a port (non standard, please) and access it from the web? You could NAT it and it should be a no-brainer...
???
You mean INSIDE of the Firewall. Right?
And why can't you open a port (non standard, please) and access it from the web? You could NAT it and it should be a no-brainer...
???
NicoleC
New member
Nope, if the web server is OUTSIDE the firewall, I can't access it remotely.
I don't have a static IP address at home; it's not available in my area without a fractional T1 or some other monstrously expensive solution. So, if (and when) my IP address changes, I can access my home network through the VPN at work... which I can access anywhere in the world.
I have admin access to the firewall... as soon as I remember the password.
Off the top of my head, what I have is:--> incoming line --> cable modem --> Sonicwall SOHO w/ DHCP--> wireless router set up as wireless access point --> wireless clients
So I'd prefer to assign a local IP address to a wireless adapter on a controller as a client, and point it to the existing wireless access point; it's easiest that way. However, I could set up another wireless access point for the controller -- it was a real bear getting ONE to work, though.
slavearm
New member
That is how I did it Nicole. No static? Do you keep at LEAST one computer on all day?
Dyndns.org or tzo.com Actually if you have a linksys router, you can have it automajically do it for you.
[noyoudontgetmydomain].linksysnet.com is my router at ~/, ah heaven.
It updates the dns server with your ip address every 15 minutes or so, so even if it changes, your domain name never will.
Dyndns.org or tzo.com Actually if you have a linksys router, you can have it automajically do it for you.
[noyoudontgetmydomain].linksysnet.com is my router at ~/, ah heaven.
It updates the dns server with your ip address every 15 minutes or so, so even if it changes, your domain name never will.
NicoleC
New member
No, I usually don't leave any computers on during the day, and often my computer goes with me anyway. I have other computers which are allows to connect to my network, but they are laptops of people that occasionally bring their computers over.
Not a linksys router; NetGear.
DynDNS.org is pretty cool. Too bad I don't still have my old laptop with the broken screen.
Not a linksys router; NetGear.
DynDNS.org is pretty cool. Too bad I don't still have my old laptop with the broken screen.
dodgerblew
Team RC
HUH!!! :eek1: 
:hmm3:
:hmm3:
cthetoy
Active member
You can get the Linksys wrt54g router and load the free well-known 3rd party firmware from www.dd-wrt.com . With this firmware your router will notify DynDNS.org if your IP changes and your PC never has to be on. You can even wake up your PC remotely if you want from work. You can also VPN directly to your router and then you are part of your home network from your work. From my work I make changes to the router remotely using SSL connection. The firmware allows you to boost your router wattage from the default 28mw up to 250mw but 60mw is recommended. If you have VOIP then the QOS function will come in handy and if you have more than one Linksys router you can bridge them all together wirelessly either on the same subnet or different subnet. There are also lots more features I did not mention as well
Captain Quirk
New member
This is getting kinda off-topic but I picked up the 54g for the exact reason that you can mod the hell out of it.
Now if I could only find the time to get around to it...
I think there are definitely workable solutions for this situation; this is an interesting exploration of the "if's"...
Now if I could only find the time to get around to it...
I think there are definitely workable solutions for this situation; this is an interesting exploration of the "if's"...
NicoleC
New member
Sounds cool, but for me I already went through the get-a-Cisco-product-to-talk-to-a-competitor's-firewall frustration. Or more likely the problem was vice-versa, because my Linksys router worked FINE without the Sonicwall around. And I have to use the Sonicwall firewall, because the firewalls at work are Sonicwalls and will only talk to *other* Sonicwalls.
Think I could install GoToMyPC on the controller? :eek2: Now THAT would be a cool mod!
thetedinator
New member
Nicole,
I have an ACIIIpro and I have AquaNotes. Yes it is expensive. On the other hand I travel a lot and I need all of the options for controlling my system. The AC is configured to email me and text message me on alarms. If necessary I can access my system and turn things off/on from my phone and the web. In my view, a worth while investment considering all of the time, money and livestock. I believe in redundancy and isolation so the AC is not single point of failure. For the tank to overheat multiple things have to go wrong. Same with the temp dipping too low.
FWIW,
Ted
I have an ACIIIpro and I have AquaNotes. Yes it is expensive. On the other hand I travel a lot and I need all of the options for controlling my system. The AC is configured to email me and text message me on alarms. If necessary I can access my system and turn things off/on from my phone and the web. In my view, a worth while investment considering all of the time, money and livestock. I believe in redundancy and isolation so the AC is not single point of failure. For the tank to overheat multiple things have to go wrong. Same with the temp dipping too low.
FWIW,
Ted
hacked linksys router Similar threads
