paulbates

Hi Jeff On the one hand, its a key component and worth having a back up. In this case especially since they are so brittle and prone to failure. I bought one on sale a while back for just this reason On the other, if you are not overly dependent on your Insteon network, it usually takes only a few days via amazon to get a new one. Paul

Agreed with Rahnee I don't do unix development, but was able to follow the step by step directions for venlink/nodelink to set the Rpi up from scratch and load the programs. Now, I don't even look at the Rpi any longer, it just runs like any other appliance. There are template ISY watchdog programs for seeing if the services died, but they've only run when I've tested them by pulling the plug Whether you write your own code or run DSClink, you'll need something like this. The users of DCSlink are usually very complimentary of its capabilities. Its a small .net program. If you have a windows desktop, set it up and see if you like it. If it works, then think about how to permanently deploy it. Paul

Yes, The ISY does have a robust rest API for writing back into it, but that code has to run on something to generate the rest call Paul

Hi and welcome to the forums! You can use the networking module, but it supports outbound TCP/IP packets from the ISY in different formats only, and not responses back. In short, no matter if you use DSClink in ISY V4 FW, Nodelink which is its V5 FW incarnation, or write your own code, you'll need an external server for that interface code to execute. Similar to automatioshacks DSClink, I've used Venlink on V4 FW and now Nodelink on V5 FW. I'm currently using a raspberry pi but have also run them on a windows desktop.UDI has hinted at offering a product that is an ISY and Nodeserver platform in one, but there is no date that I've heard of on the horizon. Paul

Hi Adrian, welcome to the forums The red text and other behavior is significant evidence that the PLM has died. You can try unplugging the PLM and ISY replugging the PLM in, wait 10 seconds Plug in the ISY See if that helps. If the procedure above helps, it will only be for a few days. Order a new PLM and follow these directions when it comes in: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/19331-my-plm-died-and-i-bought-a-new-one-what-should-i-do-next/ Paul

Yes, same software architecture. The rest call goes from IFTTT to the portal, and then the portal calls Devices, Scenes or Programs. There is not a dedicated channel per se, it uses the Maker channel, a IFTTT 'swiss army knife' for this kind application. Paul

You can use IFTTT to command the portal. You use the IFTTT Maker channel, and portal gives you the rest strings to copy and paste to call it from IFTTT. It allows you to keep ports closed on your router. My tests of it were fairly fast, comparable to Alexa turning things on and off.

This may help with the steps to setting up the port forwarding with the router (They call it pinhole) https://portforward.com/pace-plc/5268ac/ The application definition is TCP, from 443 to 443 To Larry's point above, only use port 443 so that your communication with the ISY is secure. To stu's point in post 2, you'll need to create a certificate for your ISY so that communications with it through the internet are secure Paul

Hi Gary Check this link. Depending how your program is set up, you can substitute the name for the address http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-994i_Series:EMail_and_Networking_Substitution_Variables#Device_Variables_and_Properties I have a program for each battery device and type the text I want into the notification. Depending how many you have, that may not be workable. Paul

This was not a security issue, but an incident in cloud software development and maintenance. Its different for the portal than our ISY FW. With ISY FW, we decide when to upgrade. With cloud, software changes are made in the layer between our ISY and Amazon The good news is that a single change is rolled out to everyone at the same time The bad news is that a single change is rolled out to everyone at the same time. Can you access your ISY at all from the Internet? (mobile app, open ports?) If yes, that is a security risk. I've traded off closing router ports with traversing 2 cloud layers (ISY Portal & Amazon). So arguably I've only moved the security risk... a 'no risk' scenario doesn't exist (unless you 'air gap' your ISY from the internet). This kind of thing happens in software development. How incidents are handled, for instance how it was handled by UDI in this case, is what matters.

I read those recommendations. At the same time, I successfully installed 4 XPNRs, by themselves; on PSC motors and low voltage lighting transformers where Insteon had problems working consistently. I tried them first to see if they worked alone, because they fit in the existing box. The XPF would have required an additional electrical enclosure. Had the XPNR not worked alone, I would have proceeded to make changes and use the XPF too. Paul

Hi, welcome to the UDI Forums! If I understand correctly, the idea would be to "stop" the first program, if and only if the second triggers, so it doesn't interfere with the lights? If so, in the 'Then' part of the second program, add a 'Stop' statement as the first statement Select Program from the first Action drop down, Pick stop from the second drop down Pick the program name of the first program from the list Use the "Move Line Up" button to make it the first statement under 'Then' If that doesn't do it, please post the programs here and we'll take a look Paul

I'm wondering if its 2 word devices like "Garage Door"? Hmm, have to experiment. To your earlier point, I did not try beyond Garage Door. Garage is also a word used in several device names. Paul

Or have an audio card say "Alexa, play Nickleback"

Stu, Good point, no I haven't. Let me try some combinations and different devices and see what happens. Thanks Paul

Stu, thanks.. I am using the ISY Optimized for Smarthome V2 Skill When I say "Alexa, open (or close) the garage door", she can't do it (I have a scene that has the iolinc relay and a keypad button). Are you also saying "tell Izzy to", or phrasing it some other way? Paul

Thanks, it was more thinking about the V2 skill. The open/close does not work for garage door for me. To your point, it may not be possible at this time.

The ISY Portal publishes devices we pick to the Alexa service. For me they all come across as On/Off. Is it possible to have a drop down that would let me pick a type like "Garage Door" for my garage iolinc? Locks would be another potential. That could allow open/close or lock/unlock verbiage instead of on/off. This is not a priority request, but more could it be done? I'm sure there are both technical and potentially contractual challenges. Paul

I have an identical setup that works... the trick is "Open" and "Close" don't work. You need to say: "Alexa, turn garage door on". The way my scenes are setup, I can use the word "on" only or the word "off" only, or "on" and "off" mixed.

I did this approach with HomeSeer for the Ezfloras, hook the PLM to a PC. There wasn't a reason for me to revisit it after configuring. The thing will be getting a USB to serial adapter if you don't have one. Paul

I have samsung tv, a roku (because the version of Samsung smart tv I have is terrible), a sony dvd/vcr and a Comcast basic Motorola DVR & cable receiver. I had the channels programmed into the Harmony itself using the mobile app.. I did that few years ago so I'm a little fuzzy on the specifics, Those channels "appeared" when when I added the harmony skill and did a "discover devices"... 38 activities and channels, in all, appeared. I can say "Alexa, turn CNN on", etc. It will start from off and find its way there, or switch from another mode.. using the same capability harmony uses for the remote / mobile app. I would suggest going back to the app, getting it set up there and then "rediscover" Paul

Yeh I see that now... it doesn't use/keep the name... my bad

I like that it can start multiple timers... so I can start one for the "grill", another for the "oven", "marinate" etc. Here's a question though... its normally obvious, but when one of the alarms goes off, it doesn't say which it is......yet it knows when you ask to cancel one. Do you know of a way for her to announce which one is going off? Edit: You can ask "What timers are set?". She will tell you a 5 minute time and a 15 minute timer are set, but does not remember the names you gave her, but does when you ask to cancel... hmmmm https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201549770 Paul

Yes, "on only" problems are very likely due to the load flooding the powerline with noise after energizing. In many cases the disruption to the Insteon device is sever and it doesn't matter that its dual band. In the case of my previous furnaces' PSC motors, the noise would actually kill the PLM that was a few wire feet away after a week or so. I had an on/off outletlinc that would "freezup" after yard lights were turned on because the low voltage transformer made noise, and I would have to use the downstream GFI to revive it. Look at the XPNR I linked above, if there is room in the wiring box or fixture, you simply wire nut it at the source where the fixture attaches to your power line. I've never had to make any changes other than bigger wire nuts. You should put one in each fixture's wiring box, close to the noise source Paul

Agreed. And when combined with Alexa's Smart Home Groups, it can coordinate lights, shades, scenes, programs.. etc. with the TV going on/off. Like the thermostat and other APIs & skills, over time more will be added. Edit, also... I have 12 activities that are different combinations of using my components that I can ask alexa for. They were set up in the harmony and discovered by alexa. Also the 26 TV channels I have programmed came through. I can say "Alexa turn on CNN".. it starts everything on CNN, or if I am watching something on roku it switches over. Paul