Life without a console?

I have a bare, used OmniLTe that I am planning to use as a base for my home automation project. Is it possible to set the IP address, port number, and get the network encryption key in the controller from any serial device or _only_ from an omni console? This is really the same as asking, is it possible to live without an omni console? Thanks in advance!

I have in the past using the OmniConsole, PCA via serial to configure the IP address, port number and network encryption key on my omnipro 2.  It is easier to do this via PCA/Serial.  I have always kept one OmniConsole Keyboard online and actively utilized.
 
is it possible to live without an omni console?
 
I suppose it is. 
 
I also utilize Omnitouch screens here and automation software consoles (Homeseer).  Wireless control is present but as a secondary to wired control.  I would suggest keeping one wired serial console in place.  I understand it does look a bit primitive when comparing it to a touchscreen.  You can do anything with the OmniConsole via key buttons.

So I now have a licensed copy of PCA and a serial cable. Unfortunately, I cannot see the two encryption codes anywhere.
 
Does anyone know if there any way to read these from the controller other than purchasing a serial console? Can I retrieve these by sending a command? I can find the place where I would set the encryption codes in PCA, but not any way to read them from the board.

grawil said:

So I now have a licensed copy of PCA and a serial cable. Unfortunately, I cannot see the two encryption codes anywhere.
 
Does anyone know if there any way to read these from the controller other than purchasing a serial console? Can I retrieve these by sending a command? I can find the place where I would set the encryption codes in PCA, but not any way to read them from the board.

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If you use a serial cable, you just need the installer code. I think the default is 1111, but if its used, hopefully you know it.

I can connect with PCA via the serial port. However, I still want to view/change the IP address and view/change the encryption keys. Are these fields accessible from PCA?

Exchanged emails with Leviton support. It is not possible to view/set the IP address or encryption keys from PCA, even when connected via a serial port.

grawil said:

Exchanged emails with Leviton support. It is not possible to view/set the IP address or encryption keys from PCA, even when connected via a serial port.

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I'm sure that was intentional for security purposes.

My understanding is that none of the serial ports support encrypted communication, even the serial console. Once I have a console, I'll confirm and sniff the rs232 line to see what is exchanged when the IP/keys are viewed. I figure if you have physical access to the Omni board and can physically connect PCA via a serial port, then you should be able to get/set the stored data with it.

The serial port connectivity is not encrypted as far as I know.  You do not need the keys to use the serial port.  Just the installer code / master code works.   Test it out.   That said you should be able to download the configuration and see the encryption keys, IP, et al.
 
There is where you can change the keys and IP and upload it via the serial port.
 
Note that it doesn't hurt to try it. 
 
Here I have used both the IP and serial port with PCA.  I have though only programmed the encryption keys and IP using the keyboard console.

pete_c said:

The serial port connectivity is not encrypted as far as I know.  You do not need the keys to use the serial port.  Just the installer code / master code works.   Test it out.   

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As I said, I can do this. PCA via serial works fine.
 

That said you should be able to download the configuration and see the encryption keys, IP, et al.
 
 
There is where you can change the keys and IP and upload it via the serial port.

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Unfortunately, no. According to Leviton, you cannot download the current network configuration (IP address, port number or encryption keys) from the Omni board using PCA. You can set the IP, port and encryption keys under the 'options' setting in PCA but these only pertain to connecting PCA via an ethernet network, i.e. you look up the settings on the Omni console and enter them in the options so that you can establish an encrypted network connection.

grawil said:

My understanding is that none of the serial ports support encrypted communication, even the serial console. Once I have a console, I'll confirm and sniff the rs232 line to see what is exchanged when the IP/keys are viewed. I figure if you have physical access to the Omni board and can physically connect PCA via a serial port, then you should be able to get/set the stored data with it.

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You know you can just buy a used console on eBay. Here is one for under $40
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAI-Omni-Automation-Console-33A00-Console-Free-Shipping-/272468174015?hash=item3f705e64bf:g:9KwAAOSwbsBXmou5

Yup the serial connection or the network connection downloads current configuration on the OmniPro board.
 
I have used both serial and network to make changes or download configurations from my OmniPro2 whatever they are.
 
Connect from the panel using PCA serially.  Look at the network IP / keys in the configuration.  Then change the IP, connect to the panel serially and upload the new configuration with the new IP.  Then ping the panel with the new IP to prove that it works.
 
The configuration file is the same whether you get it serially or via the network.  If you download and modify the configuration then upload it to your panel serially the changes will stick.  You cannot do this changing the ethernet configuration then trying to connect to the panel via ethernet; it will not work.
 
Ano mentions purchasing a used keypad console for $40.  I would keep at least one keyboard console connected to the OmniPro panel.
 
Here I use only one keypad console with my set up.  That said I also utilize Omnitouch 5.7/5.7e's and Omnitouch Pro software.   IE: keypad is close to one entrance and Omnitouch consoles are next to other entrances.  I do also keep one Omnitouch console near the panel.
 
My wife prefers to utilize the Keypad to arm / disarm the panel over using the Omnitouch screens however antiquated it looks.
 
The Omnitouch Pro software is around $50 or so a license.
 
I keep a serial connection up and running for my old automation software while concurrently using a network connection for my updated software (plus other stuff that I tinker with) such that that Wintel server PCA connects either with a network connection or the serial connection.

Thanks guys. I was actually trolling ebay last night for console's last night and noticed this as well. Unfortunately, by the time I include shipping, taxes and CAD-US exchange, that $40 console isn't far off the cost of a new one locally. My original plan was to use mobile devices and an Omnitouch panel or two.
 

Disconnect from the panel using PCA serially.  Look at the network IP / keys in the configuration.  Then change the IP, connect to the panel serially and upload the new configuration with the new IP.  Then ping the panel with the new IP to prove that it works.

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Thanks Pete. I'll give this a try when I get home. When you say, "Look at the network IP / keys in the configuration" can you take a screen shot and upload it here that shows what I should be seeing?

Attached is a screen shot. 
 
Change the IP on a saved none connected configuration.  You cannot break anything if it doesn't work.
 

 
I will recommend again to purchase a keypad console for your OmniPro2. 
 
The original installer kits for the panel always included a keypad console.
 
That said the keypad console works via a serial connection and is powered by the OP2 in case you have a power failure. 

Unfortunately, those 'options' are for PC Access to locate and communicate with the Omni board. This is true of all of the settings in the 'options' menu.  They are not sent/uploaded to the board so you cannot use them to change the IP, port or encryption keys. In the same way, if you export/print your board settings in PC Access, you will not find a reference to the network settings (IP address, port number, encryption keys).
 
Will try and pickup a dumb serial console tomorrow.