Insteon links and the ISY

[Smile4yourself]

Something i have not found in the ISY tutorials is an explanation on how to verify that the Insteon Links (the two table entries in the Insteon Controller, and Insteon Responder) have been set up correctly.

 

It is not clear to me either if one must create a scene each time we want to control a device.

 

I think that the PLM can act as a Controller or a Responder, and does so in front of the ISY, but looking at the event logs I don't see the address of the PLM ??

 

In working on the motion sensor for the garage, I took it down brought it into the house, changed some option, tested it on my dsk, took it back to the garage, and it no longer triggered the program I had used before. I could see the commands from it in the event viewer, so it was operating fine, but maybe the links got screwed up. I need to tell it to make links with the switchlink in the garage if i want it to control the switch without the ISY, but I'd rather have it communicate to the PLM and have the control links between the PLM and the switchlink, and the motion sensor and the PLM.

 

Am i missing something, or maybe totally screwed up?

 

 

 

Best wishes

[LeeG]

There is a Show Device Links Table function which can be used to display the link records in a device. When the display completes the Compare button will compare what was retrieved from the device against what the ISY thinks should be in the device.

 

Insteon has two general types of commands, Direct and Scene (Group). Individual devices cannot send Direct commands (except PLM). Leaving the PLM out of the discussion for now a Scene is needed when device A as Controller is controlling device B as a Responder.

 

An application like the ISY can use a PLM to send Direct commands to control a device. Direct commands do not use link records (Scene).

 

When a device is added to the ISY links (Scenes) are established between the device and the PLM so the ISY will be aware of local changes to the device (paddle/button/toggle, sensor, etc) occur. These links are in addition to any user created Scenes.

 

Serial Outbound messages issued by the ISY do not contain the PLM address as the PLM adds its address when the message is sent on the Insteon network. Inbound messages usually do have the PLM address. The exception is a Group Broadcast message which is not sent to any specific device.

 

There is document on insteon.net web site insteondetails.pdf that discusses the details of Insteon which you may find useful

[Smile4yourself]

If the PLM can control an insteon device without a link table in the device authorizing that device to do so isn't that a security problem?

 

Also when i try to get the links using the ISY menu, i get a blank window... I am testing with a motion sensor so maybe I need to wake it up to get a response... But i would have thought the PLM would respond with it's table of links?

 

 

Best wishes

[LeeG]

"If the PLM can control an insteon device without a link table in the device authorizing that device to do so isn't that a security problem?"

 

A pre I2CS device does not need a link between the PLM and the device for the PLM to control the device. The I2CS rollout started April 2012 covering several months for the firmware to be updated in the various device types.

 

"I am testing with a motion sensor so maybe I need to wake it up to get a response..."

 

Battery powered devices go to sleep (turn Off the RF circuitry) to conserve battery life. They must be put into linking mode with the Set button before the device can be accessed for configuration or link changes.

 

"But i would have thought the PLM would respond with it's table of links?"

 

The PLM could have been factory reset by accident, lost its link database for some other reason. A Restore Modem (PLM) will rebuild the PLM link database.

[Smile4yourself]

thanks for your help. Your answers were perfect. I had not waited long enough to get the links from the PLM.

 

I am amazed by this technology --how well it works.