Smart home infrastructure plan for a new home - please give your opinion

The discussion centers on planning a DIY smart home automation system for a new single-storey house with an attic, emphasizing non-WiFi communication protocols such as Zigbee and Matter, combined with partially wired infrastructure using CAT 6a cables and PoE for power and data. The user plans to deploy around 100 ESP32 modules for various sensors and actuators, including dimmers, temperature/humidity sensors, flood detection, current measurement, and security sensors, with critical security nodes powered redundantly via PoE and emergency power banks. The Home Assistant server is proposed to run on a Proxmox virtual machine with 16 GB RAM and 4 CPU cores, considered sufficient for managing about 100 devices.

Key points include the preference for Zigbee/Matter over WiFi for automation, the use of 12 V DC lines to switches/sockets for powering sensors and ESP32 modules, and the integration of alarm/security systems, particularly Satel Integra panels (128 and 256 models) with Domoticz for automation and Home Assistant for dashboards and remote control. The integration between Satel alarm systems and Domoticz is facilitated by an ETHM module and community-developed plugins. The discussion also covers alternatives for lighting control modules such as Sonoff 4CG with AFE firmware, Shelly 2.5 (noted as somewhat unreliable), Dingtian LAN-based modules, Astra modules, and SmartBOB drivers. The user considers a hybrid approach combining off-the-shelf modules and custom ESP32 devices connected via twisted pair cables in the ceiling plenum for flexibility.

Security system design and implementation are highlighted as complex, with recommendations to pursue professional design or training courses (e.g., Satel Integra step-by-step, montersi.pl) to gain necessary expertise. The conversation advises against certain control panels like Fibaro Home Center due to reliability concerns and suggests Domoticz remains a viable automation platform, especially for those familiar with it, despite some opinions favoring newer platforms like Home Assistant, OpenHAB, or KNX. Node-RED is mentioned as a powerful but initially complex automation tool. The overall consensus supports a mixed infrastructure with wired PoE lines, Zigbee/Matter wireless protocols, integration of professional alarm systems, and flexible software solutions combining Domoticz and Home Assistant for comprehensive smart home control.
Summary generated by the language model.