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Network architecture
  • • Expressions
  • • System architecture by project type
    • SIP enabled Doorbell
  • • Users and Permissions
    • Integration of 3rd party systems into TapHome
    Integration of TapHome into 3rd party systems
    Software release notes

    Network architecture

    1. All 'on-site' operations are fully independent from network or internet connection.
    2. When user is connecting from local network, all communication between mobile phone / tablet and control unit is performed within local network. Fully independent from internet connection.
    3. When user is connecting remotely (outside LAN) TapHome Cloud server is used to initiate and securely forward data between user and control unit (public IP address is not required). All decisions are left on control unit. Also, it is possible to setup remote connection without using TapHome servers.

    Online vs Offline

    TapHome provides the best of 2 worlds: fully functional and autonomous in offline mode, with possibility to setup custom remote access (DynDNS, static IP, VPN), and zero-configuration and safety of remote access via internet.



    Offline mode
    (local network)

    Online mode
    (remote access)

    Basic usage
    e.g. Change temperature, Switch the light

    		(tick)(tick)

    Initial setup

    		(tick)(error)

    Configuration everything
    e.g. Modules, Smart Rules, Access, Permissions, Statistics, Expose devices, Bus scanning, etc.

    		(tick)(tick)

    Firmware updates (modules, control unit)

    		(tick)(tick)

    Storage of historical data

    limited to 3 hours

    		(tick) 

    unlimited

    Global vs local accounts

    Global accounts are the preferred way of connecting to location. It is unique combination of email and password. If forgotten, password can be reset by sending temporary password to user's email, e.g.:name@gmail.com / password.

    Local accounts are predefined by owner of the installation, and can be reused, e.g. hotel room. e.g. admin / admin, room432 / uQ492i.


    Global account

    e.g. john.smith@gmail.com

    Local account

    e.g. admin / admin

    Possibility to login without creating personalised account

    		(error)

    (tick) 

    Useful for hotel rooms

    Possibility to reset forgotten password

    		(tick)(error)

    Possibility to change password

    		(tick)(tick)

    Possibility to switch between installations

    		(tick)(error)

    No internet access required on initial login
    (independence on TapHome servers)

    		(error)(tick)


    For more info check Users and Permissions: https://taphome.com/sk/support/85721089.

    Local connection

    Mobile app inside LAN

    Mobile app

    No intermediate server

    Control unit

    Listens to broadcasts of control unit to quickly connect to it, even if its IP address was changed

    • HTTP socket, Port 80

    ← Direct communication →

    Control unit broadcasts its identification data for fast detection for apps in local network

    • Port 80
    • IP address can be obtained by router via its DHCP service or manually as static IP via TapHome application or static IP address reservation on router side
    • Possible to create autonomous remote access using Dynamic DNS, Static IP or VPN

    Tunnelling server

    Provides bridge between app outside local network and control unit. No data is stored on this server, it only provides secure tunnel between client applications (that are not present in local network) and control unit.

    Mobile app outside LAN

    Mobile app

    Microsoft Azure Cloud

    Control unit

    App outside local network initiates safe connection with tunnelling server

    • HTTPS socket, port 443
    • SSL encryption

    → TUNNELLING SERVER ←

    • Provides basic authentication
    • Minimalistic infrastructure, therefore costs are extremely low and this service can be offered for free

    Control unit initiates safe connection with tunnelling server

    • HTTPS socket, port 443
    • SSL encryption
    • Not visible on internet, therefore almost zero probability of internet attack

    First login using global account (email and password)

    → CLOUD API SERVER

    • Authentication of email and password
    • Get list of available locations

    Control unit has final word to accept or decline connection from global account

    Storage of historical data

    When you enable storing of values or statistics of specified devices, short-term data are stored inside control unit for a limited time. If control unit is connected to internet, it collects the data, optimizes it and sends it to Storage Cloud Server.

    Table below shows how long the data is stored:


    Offline

    Online

    Instant values

    up to 5 hours

    Unlimited

    Hourly statistics

    up to 7 days

    Unlimited

    Daily statistics

    up to 365 days

    Unlimited

    Advantages of a cloud backend

    1. No IP address setup is required, it is not necessary to go into router settings
    2. Internet provider or router can be changed with no need to change anything in configuration
    3. Highest possible security, customer’s IP address is not visible from public Internet
    4. Perfect uptime and global reachability. TapHome uses Microsoft Azure, one of the best cloud providers in the world.

    TapHome provides cloud backend for free.

    Privacy

    Data is stored in the cloud only if the Global account is used and device value history has been enabled by the user. In such case, the data is linked to the account name.

    The account name can be a random text, virtual email or a real email. The only situation in which the stored statistical data can be linked with a person is when the account name is a real email and it contains the name of the user.

    Alternative connectivity scenarios (optional)

    Setup static IP Address Manually via TapHome Application (version 2019.x and above):

    • Go to Settings → My Location → Network Setting → uncheck Enable DHCP.
    • Type new static IP for Core. You can also edit Network mask, gateway and DNS Server. Please make sure that new static IP address is out of range of dynamically assignable IP addresses used by router.
    • Confirm changes by "Save network settings and restart" button. After restart the new settings become working.


    Set static IP address in DHCP settings of the router and use Dyn DNS service to connect directly:

    • Go to router settings and create DHCP Static IP reservation for TapHome Core. For this option TapHome Core mac address is required.


    Other:

    • VPN can be used as well
    • Core can be completely disconnected from local network and it would be controlled with light / blind switches or Multi-zone Controller.
     


    Service server

    • Update of Linux components of control unit
    • Automatic bi-weekly backups
    • Encrypted connection, port 23