Frequently Asked Questions about OpenRemote Software Platform
Questions related to OpenRemote platform and software components.
What software does OpenRemote offer?
OpenRemote software components exist in three categories:
- OpenRemote Control Panels - Apple iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets are supported. For desktop, laptops and netbooks a rich web client interface is available.
- OpenRemote Controller – A server side component that can be deployed on any Java 6 capable PC platform, including Mac (Leopard, Snow Leopard), Windows (XP, Vista, 7) and Linux (Ubuntu, other Debian variants) operating systems.
- OpenRemote Designer – our cloud-based online tools for designing and configuring installations, available over all standard web browsers.
What do OpenRemote control panels do, how can I install or buy them?
The panel software renders user interfaces defined in OpenRemote Designer. They can display various user interface elements such as buttons, labels, images and sliders and render status updates from devices. Depending on your use case, an OpenRemote panel may connect to an OpenRemote Controller or directly to an IP-enabled gateway or an IP-based device. OpenRemote panels are are available through Apple App Store and Android Market, see more details on our download page.
Our panels are available under free software license.
What does OpenRemote Controller do, how can I install or buy it?
OpenRemote Controller receives commands from iPhone/Android/Web panels and routes the commands to the appropriate devices. It provides the control panels with user interface definitions which it can download from OpenRemote Online Designer. When multiple wall panels, tablets and phones are used at the same time, OpenRemote Controller can be used to maintain device status to keep all user control devices in sync with current state of devices.
OpenRemote Controller also integrates multiple commands across several protocols into single, unified macros/scenes and can be used to trigger actions based on schedules or events. It hosts a fully capable HTTP server capable of dynamic responses and implements HTTP/REST/XML and HTTP/REST/JSONP APIs.
OpenRemote Controller is free software, you can download it from our site. Follow the installation instructions for your operating system of choice.
For more technical details on OpenRemote Controller, we have a separate Controller FAQ with more answers.
What operating systems do you support for OpenRemote Controller?
We currently test and deploy OpenRemote on following software platforms:
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard
- Ubuntu Linux 8 (Hardy Heron)
- Ubuntu Linux 10 (Maverick Meerkat)
- Voyage Linux 0.5.x
- Voyage Linux 0.6.x
The OpenRemote runtime is built on Java virtual machine and therefore portable to many operating system and software platforms (some protocol extensions may include operating system specific code to access physical media and not available everywhere).
In addition to above, any software or hardware stack that can support Java 6 runtime is a potential platform to deploy OpenRemote.
For more technical details on OpenRemote Controller, read our separate Controller FAQ with more answers.
Why do you sometimes call the Controller the ORB?
Because we like to drive Juha crazy [It's working. -Juha]. The ORB stands for OpenRemote Box, or ORB for short. OpenRemote started really focused on that box specs. Since then we use it informally to refer to the controller in general. Of course there is a difference between the controller software and the controller box but it is just too hard after 2 beers to make the difference between the hardware and the software, it is just "an ORB", you see? But anyway, we also like the way it sounds. It's cool isn't it?
What does OpenRemote Designer do, how can I install or buy it?
OpenRemote Designer is a cloud-based application which allows you to design custom user interfaces for control panels. It is device independent and can support Android phones and tablets, Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and also create designs for stand-alone web browsers.
OpenRemote Designer can be used remotely from any web browser without additional install. Your OpenRemote Controller at home can automatically sync with designs created and stored online.
As a user, you can make small tweaks and changes to your user interface layouts as your preferences and needs evolve over time. You can create a separate user interface for each family member, where the degree of control and technical information exposed in the UI can vary per user. You are also free to authorize your professional installer to create and manage such changes on your behalf.
As an installer, you can enter protocol and device information into your customer's account from any location as long as you have a working Internet connection. OpenRemote Designer supports separate views for user interface specialists and technical specialists to manage protocol and device details. Changes in panel designs and configuration updates can be sent automatically to customers without on-site involvement. Device templates, user interface templates, protocol configuration and infrared codes can be stored centrally and shared for reuse. In addition, we are working on import tools to quickly set up new projects.
You can start with OpenRemote Designer at no cost.
What is OpenRemote for iPhone?
This is the client of the OpenRemote Controller. This client is a native iPhone/iPod Touch application, Android application or a web application, supporting any browser. The user interface and scenes can be edited with the OpenRemote User Interface Designer. You can have a remote for yourself, for your kids, for your significant other all programmed through the web with a drag and drop interface to select buttons and layout.
What is Beehive?
Beehive is an online tool whose goal is to collect codes for IR and RS and redistribute them in a packaged form with proper meta-data so others can configure their remotes easily. If you have ever hacked HEX codes into your universal remote, you know we want to talk to you. Beehive will be seeded and will grow over time.
Why a modular design?
Your home is your home, and there is no way for us to know what type of environment we are going to find. Therefore a dynamic software installation is required. We want to simplify installation and maintenance of the software stack in the field. With our modular design a controller that can be assembled depending on what you use. One can upgrade and install new features because of this modularity. Creating a programming layer of abstractions on top of the various protocols and media then becomes possible. For example assembling panels by drag and dropping icons then works across incompatible hardware.
What protocols are supported?
The point of the OR is to be open and modular with respect to protocols. In theory any protocol can be ported and distributed as part of a instance. We currently support X10, IR, RS, KNX and UPnP. If you want to help you can either help on the protocols or bring your own. Community members have integrated protocols.
How much does OpenRemote software cost?
All software is distributed under AGPL. That means it is free. If you need a commercial license and don't want to use the AGPL license please contact us for dual licensing.
Where is the source?
We currently host our source code repository on SourceForge. You can access the source repository with the Subversion tools. Please refer to the SourceForge documentation for more details.
It is possible to follow the developments in the source repository either on our activity page or the subversion statistics page. Mailing list subscriptions coming soon. You can also browse the source code repository directly from your web browser.
