homebridge-device-alive

homebridge-device-alive is a plugin for homebridge which allows you to check if a device is online in your network. It support both IP addresses and Mac addresses. It uses a Homebridge Occupancy Sensor accessory to indicate if a device is available on the local network.

Installation

If you are new to homebridge, please first read the homebridge documentation. If you are running on a Raspberry, you will find a tutorial in the homebridge wiki.

Install homebridge:

sudo npm install -g homebridge

Install homebridge-device-alive:

sudo npm install -g homebridge-device-alive

Configuration

Add the DeviceAlive platform in config.json in your home directory inside .homebridge.

Example configuration:

{
  "platforms": [
    {
        "platform": "DeviceAlive",
        "checkInterval": 5000,
        "devices": [
            {
                "name": "Soundbar",
                "mac": "ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff"
            },
            {
                "name": "Phone",
                "ip": "192.168.172.10"
            }
        ],
    }
  ]
}

Every device stated in the config will be automatically added as an accessory to HomeKit.

Platform Configuration fields

Property | Required? | Remarks --- | :-: | --- platform | :heavy_check_mark: | Should always be "DeviceAlive". changeChecks | :heavy_check_mark: | A list of your devices.

Device Configuration fields

Either mac or IP address is required.

Property | Required? | Remarks --- | :-: | --- name | :heavy_check_mark: | Name of the device you want to add mac | | Mac address of the device you want to check on your local network. Should be in lowercase. ip | | IP address of the device you want to check on your local network

Backstory

This plugin is actually developed for use in Apple Shortcuts. I had a problem where I wanted to use a IR blaster to turn on and off some devices, but only had 1 signal for both statuses. I could not check if the device was already turned off when I ran a shortcut, thus the device would turn on again. This plugin can make sure no signal is sent if the device is already turned off.