“someone” you say…
Maybe it was our very own @jeroends 
My script pulls updates from that site anyway.
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jeroends/velserv/master/velserv.c
Excellent, I’m happy to use whatever you suggest, as it’s all new to me anyway.
Hello,
velserv is idd already on github since a few years 
. That’s the reason I did not repair my little server anymore (will be repaired someday, but other priorities).
I’m not that formiliar with licenses, but as already stated in the code: if you want to change something: let me know because I’d like to have my name associated to it (as it was the last +/-13 years already).
I’d like to avoid having x version of the code, so the only code I support (and is the original code) is on my github (with backups on my PC). If you want to update the code, make it better: certainly be my guest! I’ve already some upgrades in my mind, but since the code is still doing it’s thing and my time that I could spend on it is limited (3 kids, pretty busy job and other projects) those aren’t implemented.
Hello,
I’m running HA (HAOS 12.1) on an RPi 3 and all my integrations (Velbus, Philips Hue, Zigbee devices) run flawlessly. Home assistant is using the serial connection (USB) from the VMBRSUSB module for the integration of all my Velbus entities. For convenience, I don’t want to swap this USB connection to a PC in order to access VelbusLink, so I was thinking of setting up velserv or the Velbus TCP snap package mentioned next to my HA. What would be the easiest and most robust set-up? Can I install the snap package on my already existing HAOS and will this run out-of-the-box?
Hello and welcome to the community.
Simply…
YES, this is the easiest and most robust solution.
The only thing to watch for is changing the /dev/serial/ references.
In HA that needs to change to tls: password @ IP_Address_of_RPi:27015
and I would recommend changing the /dev/serial/ttyUSB to something like /dev/serial/by-id/velleman_VMB1USB
The script I created for installing the SNAP package will do this for you.
Maybe I should rephrase my question. I’m currently using the hass.io operating system, which makes it apparently not possible to execute apt commands. I will probably need to install HA on another OS to install the SNAP package? Which OS is best recommended for my RPi running only HA?
Hi
That should be okay, it’s based on Debian.
As long as you can get to an OS level command prompt, you should be able to install Snap on the root.
@cereal was talking about creating a Docker specially for Velbus-tcp
Maybe that’s something you can use?
If a separate machine is your only option (which I’m sure it isn’t), any small machine with a Debian OS will do the trick.
I’ve got an image for a BeagleBone black if you want it.
@csoete I didn’t have time to proofread my own step-by-step instruction, but if you hit any problems check this: Installing OpenHAB – Velbus binding – Core Dump
I use OpenHAB, so I can’t tell what system is the best, but HAOS 12.1 is the officiad HA system, so why look for something else if you only want to run HA?
We can help with the velbus-tcp, even manual install is an option. Ot the MDAR script. If it doesn’t work - come back - I did some debugging, it’s very easy when you’re guided. Some details will be different on your system than on mine, so the below is only an example.
Make sure your system detects the bridge
openhabian@openhabian:~ $ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 10cf:0b1b Velleman Components, Inc. VMB1USB Velbus USB interface
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431 VIA Labs, Inc. Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Check if you have it in the udev tree:
openhabian@openhabian:~ $ udevadm info -n /dev/ttyACM0 | grep Velbus
E: ID_USB_MODEL=VMB1USB_Velbus_USB_interface
E: ID_USB_MODEL_ENC=VMB1USB\x20Velbus\x20USB\x20interface
E: ID_USB_SERIAL=Velleman_Projects_VMB1USB_Velbus_USB_interface
Check that the velbus-tcp works:
openhabian@openhabian:~ $ systemctl status velserv
● velserv.service - Velserv
Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/velserv.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Sun 2024-03-17 18:41:45 CET; 24h ago
Process: 731 ExecStart=/opt/velserv/velserv -d /dev/serial/by-path/platform-fd500000.pcie-pci-0000:01:00.0-usb-0:1.3:1.0 -p 6000 (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Process: 746 ExecStartPost=/bin/bash -c /bin/touch /var/log/velserv.log (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Process: 764 ExecStartPost=/bin/bash -c /bin/echo Velserv Started $(date) >> /var/log/velserv.log (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Process: 789 ExecStartPost=/bin/bash -c /bin/pidof velserv >> /var/log/velserv.log (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 742 (velserv)
Tasks: 4 (limit: 4531)
CPU: 4.607s
CGroup: /system.slice/velserv.service
└─742 /opt/velserv/velserv -d /dev/serial/by-path/platform-fd500000.pcie-pci-0000:01:00.0-usb-0:1.3:1.0 -p 6000
Mar 17 18:41:45 openhabian systemd[1]: Starting Velserv...
Mar 17 18:41:45 openhabian systemd[1]: Started Velserv.
FYI
That’s VelServ
Rather than the Snap Velbus-TCP package
But you are on the right lines.
One interesting note that I have requested that the Velbus-TCP snap package follows is that when VelServ fails (mainly due to the absence / removal of the USB connection), the Service fails and it reported.
however, if the Snap package fails, it will never tell you, nor will it recover automatically.
snap status velbus-tcp
snap get velbus-tcp -d to get the connection details
snap restart velbus-tcp
I gained access to the OS-level CLI with the login command. Similarly, the install of the snap Velbus-TCP package also fails here due to apt not being found. I did some research and apparently my OS (Home Assistant OS 12.1) is buildroot which means it is not possible to install packages. This is based on:
Which means I’ll probably have to install HA on top of another OS (possibly debian based), which is a shame because I liked having the ease-of-use installation of HAOS.
If I understand how it’s made, you’d have to make changes to the container, that’s a different story. Is the HA forum providing any help?
P.S. Looks like the ease of installation comes with a price tag. Removed flexibility…
if you want something like this you have to build an addon, its on my todo list, but no idea when i will get it finished.
Thank you all for your replies, I have since advanced a bunch.
However, I still have some difficulties connecting my RPi server through VelbusLink.
I’m currently running Home Assistant Container on a Raspberry Pi 3B using the (Raspberry Pi Lite) OS:
Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)
Kernel: Linux 6.1.21-v8+
Architecture: arm64
I then ran the following Docker run command which set up Home assistant on the following internal LAN url: http://harpi.local:8123/ (harpi.local being the hostname of my RPi):
sudo docker run -d \
--name homeassistant \
--privileged \
--restart=unless-stopped \
-e TZ=Europe/Brussels \
-v /config/ha:/config \
-v /run/dbus:/run/dbus:ro \
--network=host \
--device=/dev/ttyUSB0:/dev/ttyUSB0 \
--device=/dev/ttyACM0:/dev/ACM0 \
ghcr.io/home-assistant/home-assistant:stable
Note that USB0 is the connection to my Sonoff_Zigbee_3.0_USB_Dongle_Plus and ACM0 is my Velleman VMB1USB interface.
I can access HA perfectly and all integrations (Zigbee dongle and Velbus USB) show up, meaning the mounting in Docker was done successfully. I then installed the velbus-tcp snap package using MDARs script:
mkdir /opt/velbus-tcp
cd /opt/velbus-tcp
wget www.mdar.co.uk/dl/velbus/velbus-tcp.sh -O /opt/velbus-tcp/velbus-tcp.sh
sh velbus-tcp.sh
This was also executed successfully and gave me this output:
Velbus-TCP is now running with these settings
{
"logging": {
"output": "stream",
"type": "info"
},
"ntp": {
"enabled": true,
"synctime": ""
},
"serial": {
"autodiscover": false,
"port": "/dev/serial/by-id/usb-Velleman_Projects_VMB1USB_Velbus_USB_interface-if00"
},
"tcp": {
"auth": "true,false",
"authkey": "velbus,",
"cert": "/var/snap/velbus-tcp/common/certificate.pem",
"host": "0.0.0.0,127.0.0.1",
"pk": "/var/snap/velbus-tcp/common/privkey.pem",
"port": "27015,6000",
"relay": "true,true",
"ssl": "true,false"
}
}
Now I want to connect to VelbusLink on other devices within the network using the network connection (TCP/IP) using the following Server details:
Host address: harpi.local
Port: 27015
Authentication key:
TLS/SSL connection: Unchecked
Remember password (unsafe): Unchecked
I think I’m connected to the gateway when I press “Finish”. However, I can’t seem to find any modules as it instantly gives me an error when pressing the “Scan” button:
An unexpected error occured, we've disconnected you from the bus.
Does anyone have a solution for this or encountered this error? I hope I provided enough details to replicate my setup.
Nevermind, I did not see that an authentication key was set during MDARs script. I now connect using:
Host address: harpi.local
Port: 27015
Authentication key: velbus
TLS/SSL connection: Checked
Remember password (unsafe): Unchecked
I can now interact with my modules using VelbusLink. Should I still mount the VMB1USB interface using the docker run command (–device) or connect via the integration on HA?
For a TCP/IP device: 127.0.0.1:6000
Is it even useful to mount the Velbus USB port in my Docker container?
Congratulations 
I’m glad you’ve got it all working.
I know very little about dockers and HA, I find them all far too confusing.
However, I would say that you’re right, there is little point in mounting the Velbus port for the HA docker, in fact probably risking some misconfiguration.
If you connect via TCP the velbus serial device should not be mounted anymore…
The velbus snap package will own the device, so no need to add it to the docker
After using the by-id path for years, because there was only one Velbus idProduct, I’ve had to come back to your solution.
I’ve expanded it a little, to include the three varieties of Velbus IDs.
Creating this file
/etc/udev/rules.d/V80-usb-serial-velbus.rules
With this content
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1b", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBRSUSB"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1c", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBUSB-20"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0516", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBSIG"
on a reboot or replug of the USB, the OS will create an easily identifiable Symlink when the module is (re)plugged in.
My output looks like this with this command
ls -l /dev/ttyV*
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 7 Jul 27 08:13 /dev/ttyVelbus-VMBRSUSB -> ttyACM1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 7 Jul 27 08:13 /dev/ttyVelbus-VMBSIG -> ttyACM2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 7 Jul 27 08:13 /dev/ttyVelbus-VMBUSB-20 -> ttyACM0
@Stef_Coene
Thank you so much for suggesting this and sharing your solution.
Taking this thought a stage further, I’m trying to work out how to recreate the Auto-Restart that @jeroends has with VelServ.
Does anyone fancy testing this for me?
A uDev rule to restart velbus-tcp when the USB is plugged in.
udev rule /etc/udev/rules.d/v90-USB-serial-velbus-tcp.rules
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1b", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap restart velbus-tcp"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1c", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap restart velbus-tcp"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0516", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap restart velbus-tcp"
Everything I have been working on can be found in this ZIP file
https://www.velbus.co.uk/dl/velbus/velbus-tcp.zip
An experimental thought…
Does anyone know if a single rule like this would work?
/etc/udev/rules.d/v99-USB-serial-velbus-tcp-reset.rules
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1b", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBRSUSB", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap set velbus-tcp serial.port=/dev/ttyVelbus-VMBRSUSB"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0b1c", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBUSB-20", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap set velbus-tcp serial.port=/dev/ttyVelbus-VMBUSB-20"
SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ACTION=="add|change", ATTRS{idVendor}=="10cf", ATTRS{idProduct}=="0516", SYMLINK+="ttyVelbus-VMBSIG", RUN+="sleep 2s & sudo snap set velbus-tcp serial.port=/dev/ttyVelbus-VMBSIG"
Theory being that when a Velbus USB device is plugged in, the rule will set a symlink, wait 2 seconds, set the SNAP Package to the new ttyVelbus-xxxxx port, which will cause it to restart
@PrzemoF @RCZ
Is this something you fancy trying for me?
(As I don’t run openHabian for example, I’ll test it with DietPi machines I have)
Good evening MDAR,
I was on vacation in July and I must have missed your message dated from 19 July…until tonight 
.
Meanwhile I reinstalled Openhab a few times because an Openhabian upgrade ruined everything. Pi was running hot and no rules where executed anymore. I ran your revisited zip (see last message) but still no Velbuslink connection via TCP/IP. All the rest(OH) is working fine again. I didn’t have a lot of time recently but I’m wondering if others experiencing the same problem?
It’s not an urgent one but if I can help you testing…let me know.
Kind regards and sorry for this dust covered reply!
Jona
No problem.
I’ll start another thread, specially to address your issue, which will make it easier for others to find in the future should they come looking for openHABIAN issues.
Cool. I will keep an eye on it 
. Thanks for your help!!!