ISY994 and 2413U

[scubaguyjohn]

I have a 2413U that i want to use as an access point (not to link ISY994 to the network). However, when I try to link it to isy, it gives me an unsupported device error message (why?).

 

Not showing up on the ISY network may not be an issue as I only want it to rebroadcast RF commands to a detached garage.

 

Anyone see any issues in using it in this manner? I assume the 2413U will work as it can still be linked to another insteon device to listen to all the network commands and to rebroadcast them in an indiscriminate manner.

 

thanks, John.

[oberkc]

Anyone see any issues in using it in this manner?

 

no

 

I assume the 2413U will work as it can still be linked to another insteon device to listen to all the network commands and to rebroadcast them in an indiscriminate manner.

 

I assume the same. I don't believe there is any need to link it to anything if your only purpose is to use it as a repeater of insteon commands.

[scubaguyjohn]

Anyone see any issues in using it in this manner?

 

no

 

I assume the 2413U will work as it can still be linked to another insteon device to listen to all the network commands and to rebroadcast them in an indiscriminate manner.

 

I assume the same. I don't believe there is any need to link it to anything if your only purpose is to use it as a repeater of insteon commands.

 

 

thanks...I wasn't sure about the need to link it to at least one insteon device so that it knows what network it belongs to.

 

Otherwise, couldn't a neighbor buy a 2413U and start scanning (would probably take a long time to do) all the insteon device codes to arrive at the correct one to open a garage door?!

[LeeG]

The ISY does not support a PLM (USB or Serial) as an independent device. That is why the message when attempting to add it to the ISY as a device.

 

The PLM should rebroadcast powerline traffic to RF and vise versa without adding it to the ISY. Also no need to link the PLM to device. The link would be necessary only for the PLM to pass out Insteon traffic to an application.

 

Yes, a neighbor could do as you suggest until I2CS devices started shipping in March 2012. The I2CS protocol will not allow a PLM to control a device where the PLM is unknown to the device.

[Xathros]

Assuming your neighbor was able to determine the address of your garage door IOLinc, your IOLinc would still not have a link to his/her PLM and should not respond to it.

 

-Xathros

[scubaguyjohn]

The ISY does not support a PLM (USB or Serial) as an independent device. That is why the message when attempting to add it to the ISY as a device.

 

The PLM should rebroadcast powerline traffic to RF and vise versa without adding it to the ISY. Also no need to link the PLM to device. The link would be necessary only for the PLM to pass out Insteon traffic to an application.

 

Yes, a neighbor could do as you suggest until I2CS devices started shipping in March 2012. The I2CS protocol will not allow a PLM to control a device where the PLM is unknown to the device.

 

 

Lee - does that mean all my pre-2012 devices are vulnerable to an unscrupulous neighbor?

 

Or if I have at least one 2012 device, is the entire network security hole is plugged?

[scubaguyjohn]

Assuming your neighbor was able to determine the address of your garage door IOLinc, your IOLinc would still not have a link to his/her PLM and should not respond to it.

 

-Xathros

 

 

If this is correct, then that means the PLM must be linked to the IOLinc or at least one other device in the network, is that right?

[LeeG]

Any device that is not I2CS (except the MorningLinc which has special security from the beginning) can be controlled from the outside given enough time. Keep in mind Insteon RF range is limited. Could just plug into an outside outlet and have direct powerline access. The I2CS rollout started April 2012 taking several months before all device types had the new I2CS firmware.

 

There have been some folks who put the I/O Linc on an ApplianceLinc so power can be removed from the I/O Linc. RF garage door openers have the same exposure although much less now that most remotes use rolling security codes.

 

An I2CS device must be linked with the PLM before that specific device can be controlled from that PLM. An I2CS device rejects control commands from a PLM that is not known to the device.

[Xathros]

Wow. All along I was thinking Insteon was much more secure than that. Still better than X10 I guess. At least with I2CS it would take a PLM address hack to gain control of another network.

 

-Xathros