Project:Java-Rako

Project maintained by teabot, contact via IRC

Summary

A Java API for controlling Rako home lighting systems.

Initial project goals are to allow the setting of room scenes from a Java based API via the Rako Ethernet bridge. If this is successful the plan is to also implement features necessary to configure/program Rako devices in a similar manner to RakoSoft.

Current equipment

• 500w dimmer
• 7 button control panel
• Rako Ethernet bridge
• RakoSoft
• iPhone with Rako app

Proposed method

1. Construct a minimal Rako system with one channel and an Ethernet bridge [Complete]
2. Contact Rako to see if they have an API available. [Complete]
   1. Was sent a simple API for URL and UDP based selection of scenes.
3. Obtain connectivity between the bridge and the iPhone app and/or RakoSoft on a network that allows snooping [Complete]
   1. I connected a wireless access point, the Rako Ethernet bridge, and a MacBook to a 10baseT hub. This allowed monitoring of the UDP commands sent from the iPhone app.
4. Monitor traffic between iPhone app/RakoSoft/Bridge Web UI to determine a suitable candidate for reverse engineering
5. Create some simple tests that deliver observed packets to the bridge
6. Reverse enginner protocol
7. Implement the protocol with Java :-)

Status

• I have had a little snoop on the RakoSoft traffic with WireShark - the iPhone app uses UDP.
• Connected via telnet - issued via RS232 commands
• Noticed that bridge eventually accepts an address by DHCP