Hack #5: Howto Modify network configuration

LinuxMCE Core (hybrid or dedicated) needs two network interfaces – one for external connection and another one – for internal. If by some reason you have only one during installation the system creates a virtual internal interface – eth0:0. To modify the network configuration when you decided to add a second Ethernet card you have to make simple changes in the pluto_main database. To see a current network configuration run following select command in the mysql shell:

SELECT IK_DeviceData FROM Device_DeviceData WHERE FK_DeviceData=32;

The result should be similar to this:

eth0,dhcp|eth0:0,192.168.80.1,255.255.255.0

Just replace eth0:0 to eth1

UPDATE Device_DeviceData SET IK_DeviceData="eth0,dhcp|eth1,192.168.80.1,255.255.255.0" WHERE FK_DeviceData=32;

and reboot your core. After that will should see two interfaces.

Tip #7: Create a range of Cisco7970 MACs

To be able to add Cisco7970 IP Phones as plug-n-play devices in the LinuxMCE system you have to define a range of MAC addresses on the Cisco7970 device template. There is an utility to do that – /usr/pluto/bin/convert_mac.

MAC address is six groups of two hexadecimal digits, separated by hyphens (–) or colon (:). The first three groups identify a maker. You leave them and fill the rest by 0 and F. For example, if MAC is 00:16:78:CD:01:D8 its range will be 00:16:78:00:00:00 – 00:14:69:FF:FF:F. Now using convert_mac we can get correct data for the device template:

/usr/pluto/bin/convert_mac 00:16:78:00:00:00
/usr/pluto/bin/convert_mac 00:14:69:FF:FF:FF

Finally, put those values into text fields on the device template. Find more info and pictures here.

Hack #2: Add custom security scenario

LinuxMCE allows to add various scenarios. Just go to Wizard –> Scenarios and choose appropriate category. However, using that way it’s impossible to add some security scenario except camera view only. But what if you want, for example, to see buttons for open/close garage door under Security section on the Orbiter? There is a way to do that. Go to Advanced –> Configuration –> Scenarios and press Security Scenarios on the left panel. You should see all security scenarios in your system. To new one just press the button ‘Add my scenario’ at the bottom.

The main trick is that you won’t see security scenarios added such manner on the Scenarios main page – Wizard –> Scenarios.

Hack #1: Add screen resolution for Nokia770

Nokia770 can be used as a control panel (Orbiter) for LinuxMCE. But unfortunately its screen resolution – 800×480 is not presented on the Orbiter main page. To add it just insert that record to the pluto_main database:


insert into Size (Description,Width,Height,ScaleX,ScaleY) VALUES('800 x 480',800,480,376,300);


Don’t forget quick reload the router because LinuxMCE caches database stuff.