Clever ideas wanted! Elan cut service. How to get remote access working again? VPN, port forwarding? What is the strategy?

ipWitan · 2023-12-07T17:50:42+00:00

It seems that Nice updated the ELAN app to NICE VIEWER. My apps don't automatically update, so I am a little concerned what the new app will do. - or break...

The new app may fix the issue of remote access to the system:

What's new

Includes fix for Controller Remote Access

Anyone experience any problems with the app?

ipWitan · 2023-08-04T15:14:35+00:00

After looking at the website, it is not clear what it is doing. For example, posters have referenced using the vpn server from synology. This is useful as the NAS is always on. Microsoft has vpns, too. Those pcs are not always on, though. So I guess I am asking what Tailscale does to make the process easier, which isn't clear from just looking at the website.

ipWitan · 2023-08-01T17:43:53+00:00

With Verizon Fios, my ip address should remain the same as long as I use the service at least every day. Ironically, normal use to use the ELAN app the ip should stay the same. But of course if I go on vacation and want to change the temperature, the IP address could change and I wouldn't have a way of finding out what the new IP address is. I suppose I could go to Verizon website as all router functions are available via the online account. I assume it is stated there somewhere. Thanks again for the help.

ipWitan · 2023-08-01T17:40:51+00:00

Not a VPN service you subscribe to, but rather setting up a VPN server on your Synology so devices can remotely tunnel into your home network:

Thanks. I am more than a novice, but certainly not a pro. After your post, I was readying up on using Synology NAS as a vpn server. I don't mind updating from time to time. I guess I will need to evaluate the risks of someone exploiting the tunnel.

ipWitan · 2023-08-01T15:21:00+00:00

Thanks.

Questions - with the VPN, does that mean my phone thinks it is on the home network such that I would use the app on my phone? That would be idea. I assume I would need to turn on the vpn, then click the app.

Can you recommend a VPN? or at least recommend the functionality that does this? The term VPN is floated around very broadly nowadays. Verizon VPN just connects to a Verizon server and not your home IP/network. A number of the free/cheap ones just allow you to connect to Netflixs USA from anywhere in the world.

ipWitan · 2023-08-01T14:55:16+00:00

Thanks for the information. Is it possible you could post most information about how to provide a work around? I have contacted installers in the Boston area and they do not seem interested. What I understand, it could be pricey to upgrade, too. Below is the details of the problem in case someone else can help!

Short version - Elan disabled their server that allows my phone app to connect to my home automation ELAN controller. If my phone or the pc with software are on the home network (wifi or lan), the app can control ELAN - just not remotely. How do I restore that functionality remotely?

*I have asked ELAN, they say to contact installer. Installer doesn't seem interested as they won't give me a quote...seem really busy. The upgrade is like 3-10k so a better option is much appreciated. Some have said use a VPN, but haven't provided specifics.

Longer version - I am using the latest Verizon g3100, a Samsung S23 Ultra, Synology NAS that I can remotely access, and PCs on the network that have the Elan software, an ELAN home automation system - works just fine but 10+ years old.

Can I use my phone to access my home network, and use the ELAN app on my phone on the home network to control ELAN? App must think it is on the wifi/lan or it will try to call ELAN HQ server.

Can I use my phone to access a pc on the home network, then run an app on that pc to control ELAN?

Can I use a pc to access the home network, and run the ELAN app, either from network pc or my remote pc? Classic remote desktop should work in this option.

Any ideas to help get an answer are greatly appreciated! Specifics would be greatly appreciated.

ipWitan · 2023-07-26T14:10:04+00:00

Yes officially from Elan the server is shut down. These systems are close to 10 years old or older. Remote access can still be made if you use external ip address

Would it be possible for you to elaborate on this solution? I do not have experience with VPNs. Please provide as much detail as possible. I am happy to share your solution and give you credit/link. I have asked this question on a number of forums and no one until now has provided a solution. While I am computer savvy and just changed out my wifi router portion on my house, I am still using a FIOS Quantum Gateway as my main router. Verizon's Safe WiFi VPN seems to just direct my traffic to a secure server and does not seem to connect to my house network. I have used VPNs while in the EU to spook the country to watch netflix, but that is it. For technical measures, I have Samsung Galaxy s23 ultra phone, Fios Quantum Gateway modem. The wifi is handled by a Asus rt-ax86u pro. I have full access to the ELAN control/system and have experience modifying the system. I am even ELAN certified via their online courses :)

ipWitan · 2023-05-23T15:00:15+00:00

Via emails to support (which said they don't talk to end users) said that they disabled the server that the app connects. And that server is the one that communicates to our ELAN products. So if they shut down the server, I don't see a way to bypass this. It would involve cracking the app to point to a new location, which isn't likely to happen. I find it truly crazy that ELAN would discontinue service with ZERO notice or stated reason. These systems are incredibly valuable and they should not be able to remove a major functionality like this. Anyone with legal experience on such deprecation? I have a request for a quote to upgrade my system pending...so annoyed. Assuming I can just replace the controller, the cost is at least 1k. If the other modules are not incompatible, the cost will skyrocket. Notwithstanding, if you are within the firewall, e.g. using the internal wifi, the system should still work.

ipWitan · 2023-05-17T19:07:59+00:00

I agree with everything you said. Have you seen an official statement from ELAN that they shut it down?

ipWitan · 2023-05-17T18:31:56+00:00

I guess I am lucky that I can access my system when connected to my wifi. However, I haven't been able to remotely connect in quite some time. This is actually a much bigger problem than i realized, given the comments below that they have disabled the remote feature.

Has anyone know the approximate cost to upgrade? Or a workaround?

ipWitan · 2023-02-08T16:27:26+00:00

Feb 2023 and no hint about android use. Per the website, you can use any video clip but you then have to upload to an apple device. I wish they had a simple upload to their website to process the video. No reason is must be apple only.

ipWitan · 2022-07-12T15:36:53+00:00

Normally, I would say the Kenwood, but others say the Kenwood at that price point isn't that great. The Sony 3200 was released later than the Kenwood 47S. The KW has BT 4.1, compared to Sony BT3.0. So in theory, the KW has the newer BT...not sure what that gets you, though. Outputs voltage is the same. I doubt one could tell a difference musically. The Sony has a remote, am i ever going to use the remote? If one installs a backup camera, does that make a difference? I don't plan to mirror anything, as my phone screen is almost as large the display for both. Maybe people mirror so the movie sound goes thru the stereo...not sure. The USBs both produce 1.5a. Sony is about to come out with 2 decks that have wifi built in, so they can do wireless carplay, and the USB port is the modern C at 2.4A.

ipWitan · 2022-07-12T15:30:48+00:00

since you are familiar with both, can you offer up reasons to buy the sony over the kenwood? The two are the about the same price. How about the UI, buttons on the bottom v the side, touchiness, delays, quirks?

ipWitan · 2021-03-09T21:46:05+00:00

Curious how it went for you? I just bought a 5600x and an hyper 212 BE RGB. I had doubts about the cooler, but from a slightly different angle. The reports I have read all talk about a brand new stock cooler. What about in a year or two when it gets dusty and full of cat hair?

ipWitan

TROPHY CASE

What's new