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I have already a Zipabox duo at home, what kind of benefits can be expected with the controller that is included in the Zipatab. E.g. will it work as a backup for the Zipabox, or will it work as a repeater etc.?
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The Zipatab is essentially a tablet with a built-in Zipato controller. If you already have a Zipabox Duo, adding a Zipatab can offer some unique benefits, although it's important to understand how they interact, as it's not a simple backup or repeater in the traditional sense for the main controller's core functions.
Here's a breakdown of the benefits and how the Zipatab's controller might complement your existing Zipabox Duo:
1. Distributed Control and Local Redundancy (Partial Backup):
Primary vs. Secondary Controller: In a Z-Wave network (which Zipabox heavily uses), you typically have one "primary" controller. Your Zipabox Duo is likely your primary controller. The Zipatab's built-in controller can potentially act as a secondary controller.
Benefits of a Secondary Controller:
Local Control: If your Zipabox Duo were to go offline (e.g., due to a power outage if it doesn't have a backup battery, or internet issues affecting cloud access), the Zipatab, if configured as a secondary controller, might retain the ability to directly control some Z-Wave devices within its own range. This provides a form of local redundancy for basic on/off or scene control, even if your main system is down.
Reduced Reliance on Cloud: While Zipabox systems heavily rely on the cloud for advanced rules and remote access, having a local secondary controller can mean that certain critical automations could still function if the cloud connection is temporarily lost.
Limitations of Backup: It's crucial to understand that the Zipatab's controller typically wouldn't take over as the primary controller automatically if your Zipabox Duo completely fails. It won't have a full copy of your entire system's configuration, rules, and device associations in the same way a dedicated backup module (like the Zipabox Backup Module) would for the Zipabox itself.
2. Enhanced User Interface and Portable Control:
Dedicated Touchscreen Interface: The most obvious benefit of the Zipatab is its integrated touchscreen. This provides a dedicated, portable interface for controlling your smart home. Instead of always pulling out your phone or tablet, you have a device specifically designed for home control.
Visual Dashboards: You can set up custom dashboards on the Zipatab to quickly access and visualize the status of your devices, security system, energy consumption, and more.
Always-On Accessibility: You can leave the Zipatab docked in a central location, making it readily available for anyone in the household to use.
3. Potential as a Z-Wave Repeater (for Z-Wave devices powered by the Zipatab):
Mains-Powered Z-Wave Devices as Repeaters: Z-Wave technology is a mesh network, and any mains-powered Z-Wave device (not battery-powered) can act as a repeater to extend the range of your Z-Wave network.
Zipatab's Role: If the Zipatab's internal Z-Wave controller is mains-powered (which is typical for such a device), it will inherently act as a repeater for your Z-Wave network, helping to strengthen the signal and improve communication reliability for other Z-Wave devices, especially those further away from your Zipabox Duo.
4. Additional Protocol Support (if the Zipatab has different modules):
While your Zipabox Duo likely supports Z-Wave and potentially other protocols via its expansion modules, the Zipatab's integrated controller might offer native support for certain protocols or allow for different expansion modules. However, this is less likely to be a significant benefit if your Zipabox Duo is already fully equipped.
In summary, the Zipatab with its integrated controller primarily offers:
Enhanced user experience through a dedicated and portable touchscreen interface.
Local control capabilities, providing a degree of redundancy in case of issues with your main Zipabox Duo or its internet connection.
Z-Wave repeating functionality (if mains-powered) to improve network reliability.
It's important to not consider the Zipatab's controller as a full-fledged backup for your Zipabox Duo's core intelligence, configuration, and cloud connectivity. For true backup solutions, Zipato offers specific Backup Modules for the Zipabox that provide power autonomy and 3G/cellular internet backup Online Entry Page
Before purchasing, it's always a good idea to check the specific model of the Zipatab and its controller's capabilities, and potentially consult Zipato's documentation or support forums to confirm how it integrates with an existing Zipabox Duo setup.
The Zipatab is essentially a tablet with a built-in Zipato controller. If you already have a Zipabox Duo, adding a Zipatab can offer some unique benefits, although it's important to understand how they interact, as it's not a simple backup or repeater in the traditional sense for the main controller's core functions.
Here's a breakdown of the benefits and how the Zipatab's controller might complement your existing Zipabox Duo:
1. Distributed Control and Local Redundancy (Partial Backup):
Primary vs. Secondary Controller: In a Z-Wave network (which Zipabox heavily uses), you typically have one "primary" controller. Your Zipabox Duo is likely your primary controller. The Zipatab's built-in controller can potentially act as a secondary controller.
Benefits of a Secondary Controller:
Local Control: If your Zipabox Duo were to go offline (e.g., due to a power outage if it doesn't have a backup battery, or internet issues affecting cloud access), the Zipatab, if configured as a secondary controller, might retain the ability to directly control some Z-Wave devices within its own range. This provides a form of local redundancy for basic on/off or scene control, even if your main system is down.
Reduced Reliance on Cloud: While Zipabox systems heavily rely on the cloud for advanced rules and remote access, having a local secondary controller can mean that certain critical automations could still function if the cloud connection is temporarily lost.
Limitations of Backup: It's crucial to understand that the Zipatab's controller typically wouldn't take over as the primary controller automatically if your Zipabox Duo completely fails. It won't have a full copy of your entire system's configuration, rules, and device associations in the same way a dedicated backup module (like the Zipabox Backup Module) would for the Zipabox itself.
2. Enhanced User Interface and Portable Control:
Dedicated Touchscreen Interface: The most obvious benefit of the Zipatab is its integrated touchscreen. This provides a dedicated, portable interface for controlling your smart home. Instead of always pulling out your phone or tablet, you have a device specifically designed for home control.
Visual Dashboards: You can set up custom dashboards on the Zipatab to quickly access and visualize the status of your devices, security system, energy consumption, and more.
Always-On Accessibility: You can leave the Zipatab docked in a central location, making it readily available for anyone in the household to use.
3. Potential as a Z-Wave Repeater (for Z-Wave devices powered by the Zipatab):
Mains-Powered Z-Wave Devices as Repeaters: Z-Wave technology is a mesh network, and any mains-powered Z-Wave device (not battery-powered) can act as a repeater to extend the range of your Z-Wave network.
Zipatab's Role: If the Zipatab's internal Z-Wave controller is mains-powered (which is typical for such a device), it will inherently act as a repeater for your Z-Wave network, helping to strengthen the signal and improve communication reliability for other Z-Wave devices, especially those further away from your Zipabox Duo.
4. Additional Protocol Support (if the Zipatab has different modules):
While your Zipabox Duo likely supports Z-Wave and potentially other protocols via its expansion modules, the Zipatab's integrated controller might offer native support for certain protocols or allow for different expansion modules. However, this is less likely to be a significant benefit if your Zipabox Duo is already fully equipped.
In summary, the Zipatab with its integrated controller primarily offers:
Enhanced user experience through a dedicated and portable touchscreen interface.
Local control capabilities, providing a degree of redundancy in case of issues with your main Zipabox Duo or its internet connection.
Z-Wave repeating functionality (if mains-powered) to improve network reliability.
It's important to not consider the Zipatab's controller as a full-fledged backup for your Zipabox Duo's core intelligence, configuration, and cloud connectivity. For true backup solutions, Zipato offers specific Backup Modules for the Zipabox that provide power autonomy and 3G/cellular internet backup Online Entry Page
Before purchasing, it's always a good idea to check the specific model of the Zipatab and its controller's capabilities, and potentially consult Zipato's documentation or support forums to confirm how it integrates with an existing Zipabox Duo setup.
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