Communication and other problems

[jbev]

When I first installed my ISY I had problems adding devices by their name so I had to do a network crawl to find everything. That only got a few of them so I went back and after repeated tries got them all added via the "start linking" option in teh ISY. I never figured out why I couldn't add the devices manually by address so I dismissed it as "ghosts," defective operator, or a combination.

 

1) As a result I still have links in the KPLs and switches that I am trying to get to go away but restore device does not resync them with the ISYs list of links. IfI do a factory reset then I will lose the local dim and max brightness settings so I'm trying to avoid that. Is there any other way of reformatting the?

 

2) For the last two-three days I've been doing more experimenting with the ISY in that period I have had an increasing number of communications errors pop up on the ISY. It took me 20 minutes of fiddling this morning from two computers to change the 4 KPL buttons to non-toggle mode since I was having those comm errors. Its not just that device, but doing a query on the whole Insteon network usually results in one or more devices losing communication for that cycle. They come back after several "restore device" commands have ben executed. I can't see anything that has changed in the last fewdays to explain these communication gaps.

 

3) There were also a few errors that popped up that had to do with Java errors within the ISY. I'm not sure if these are related to #2 but next time I start seeing them and I'm calmer I'll keep track of them.

 

I'm not sure if I'm having ISY problems or Insteon network problems but I'm open to any suggestions.

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

I am so very sorry for the inconvenience.

 

The first thing that I would humbly ask you to try is to add an Access Point right on top of the PLM. This will usually boost the signal coming from the PLM and reduces the number of communciations errors you get.

 

Start Linking and Add New Insteon Device are practically identical with one difference:

Add New Device will issue an ID Request from the device (if found) which should return the type of device. In case of ControLinc, RemoteLinc, and SocketLinc, the ID Request fails 99% of the time and, as such, the whole request might fail if you tried adding them using Add New Device. In case of crawl, the same thing happens: ISY will issue an ID request to verify the type of device and in case of CL, RL, SL, it will fail. Therefore, crawl does not find ControLincs/RemoteLincs/SocketLincs.

 

So, if you want to start a crawl, and if you have any of these devices, use Start Linking and start from any of ControLinc/RemoteLinc/SocketLinc you might have.

 

As far as getting rid of the ghost existing links (it might be a little painful):

1. Do a printout of your topology (Tools->Generate Topology)

2. Factory Reset ISY (telnet isy.ip.address 126) and issue FR

3. Log back in to ISY, do Start Linking, and choose the device that has the most number of links. Make sure you use Add devices found in links

 

As mentioned above, if you have a ControLinc/RemoteLinc linked to your other devices, start this process from the them.

 

So, in effect, what we are doing is bringing in all the devices without their links. After this is done, simply do File->Restore Devices and this will guarantee that the devices have the same information as ISY. Now, all of this is predicated upon PLM being able to successfully communicate with your devices.

 

Please do let me know if I can be of further assistance,

With kind regards,

Michel

 

 

When I first installed my ISY I had problems adding devices by their name so I had to do a network crawl to find everything. That only got a few of them so I went back and after repeated tries got them all added via the "start linking" option in teh ISY. I never figured out why I couldn't add the devices manually by address so I dismissed it as "ghosts," defective operator, or a combination.

 

1) As a result I still have links in the KPLs and switches that I am trying to get to go away but restore device does not resync them with the ISYs list of links. IfI do a factory reset then I will lose the local dim and max brightness settings so I'm trying to avoid that. Is there any other way of reformatting the?

 

2) For the last two-three days I've been doing more experimenting with the ISY in that period I have had an increasing number of communications errors pop up on the ISY. It took me 20 minutes of fiddling this morning from two computers to change the 4 KPL buttons to non-toggle mode since I was having those comm errors. Its not just that device, but doing a query on the whole Insteon network usually results in one or more devices losing communication for that cycle. They come back after several "restore device" commands have ben executed. I can't see anything that has changed in the last fewdays to explain these communication gaps.

 

3) There were also a few errors that popped up that had to do with Java errors within the ISY. I'm not sure if these are related to #2 but next time I start seeing them and I'm calmer I'll keep track of them.

 

I'm not sure if I'm having ISY problems or Insteon network problems but I'm open to any suggestions.

[jbev]

I'm starting with my controlLinc first and doing the link "controlLinc" in the Link Management menu. I then hold down my channel 1 button for 10 seconds to put it in linking mode. I go back to the computer and hit okay and I hear the controlLinc beep. I get the option menu on the ISY to over write links, add devices found in links, and add devices found in links and keep existing links. I click on the second radio button for "add devices found in links" and it just sits there forever not finding anything.

 

Are the Tx and Rx lights on the ISY supposed to be on at this point? or am I doing a step wrong here?

 

EDIT: I put the PLM underneath the one Access Point, but that doesn;t seem to help things...

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi jbev,

 

You would have to hit the "Cancel" button after ISY finds the buttons on the ControLinc. Furthermore, this process might take a long time depending on the number of links in your ControLinc.

 

Yes, TX/RX lights should be actively blinking. If they are not, then there's something wrong.

 

Would you please let me know?

With kind regards,

Michel

 

I'm starting with my controlLinc first and doing the link "controlLinc" in the Link Management menu. I then hold down my channel 1 button for 10 seconds to put it in linking mode. I go back to the computer and hit okay and I hear the controlLinc beep. I get the option menu on the ISY to over write links, add devices found in links, and add devices found in links and keep existing links. I click on the second radio button for "add devices found in links" and it just sits there forever not finding anything.

 

Are the Tx and Rx lights on the ISY supposed to be on at this point? or am I doing a step wrong here?

[jbev]

After hitting cancel the Tx light blinks once in awhile and I've moved to 2% and found a device that is not the controlLinc.

 

Wow... I'm beating my head against the wall on this one.

 

Cancel = Start...

 

Might I make the suggestion to change the text in there...

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

I am so very sorry ... you have no idea how many times we've had this request and the number of times we changed the text: Cancel, Done, Complete, and now back to Cancel. I think Start might work; or maybe, Continue?

 

So, you have already found a non-ControLinc device which means that the spidering is working. In no time, you will have all of them but please do make sure you have a SignaLinc or an Access Point plugged right into your PLM.

 

Please do let me know,

With kind regards,

Michel

After hitting cancel the Tx light blinks once in awhile and I've moved to 2% and found a device that is not the controlLinc.

 

Wow... I'm beating my head against the wall on this one.

 

Cancel = Start...

 

Might I make the suggestion to change the text in there...

[jbev]

Its "crawling" along at 5% so I'm going to go try to figure out that JSDK again and probably call it a morning and see what's left of this when I wake up.

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

Have a wonderful "morning" ... please do keep in touch and let me know if I can be of further assistance.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Its "crawling" along at 5% so I'm going to go try to figure out that JSDK again and probably call it a morning and see what's left of this when I wake up.

[jbev]

Here is another thing I was trying to figure out.

 

When I did a "New Insteon Device" I always got a failure no matter what format I entered teh address in. I tried:

 

03.7A.CA

03.7A.CA.1

3.7A.CA

3.7A.CA.1

 

What is correct way to enter them so I can do that manually?

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

Is 03.7A.CA any of:

ControLinc

RemoteLinc

SocketLinc

?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Here is another thing I was trying to figure out.

 

When I did a "New Insteon Device" I always got a failure no matter what format I entered teh address in. I tried:

 

03.7A.CA

03.7A.CA.1

3.7A.CA

3.7A.CA.1

 

What is correct way to enter them so I can do that manually?

[jbev]

No, that particular one is an Icon Dimmer.

[Michel Kohanim]

This is really odd. It should find it with no problem as long as the signal can get there.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

No, that particular one is an Icon Dimmer.

[jbev]

I have that problem adding any of them manually. That is why I was thinking it was a syntax problem.

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

Your syntax is correct. You could use any of:

XX.XX.XX or

XX XX XX or

X XX X (without leading zeros)

 

I am going to have this tested and shall keep you posted in case we find a bug.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

I have that problem adding any of them manually. That is why I was thinking it was a syntax problem.

[jbev]

I just tried the other ones again. The SwithcLIncs add okay, but I'm still troubled by the Icon one. I think my problems here were communication related... of course the down side to the current location is that there are no network locations where the access points reside. I guess I'll have to go buy a wireless bridge tomorrow so I can stick this thing out in the garage.

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

I totally understand. But, before going and buying a wireless bridge, may I humbly suggest - even if temporarily - removing one of the Access Points from its original location and connecting it directly right on top of the PLM. This is only to test whether or not you'll get better communcations.

 

Thanks and with kind regards,

Michel

I just tried the other ones again. The SwithcLIncs add okay, but I'm still troubled by the Icon one. I think my problems here were communication related... of course the down side to the current location is that there are no network locations where the access points reside. I guess I'll have to go buy a wireless bridge tomorrow so I can stick this thing out in the garage.

[jbev]

Yeah, I have them nested on top of each other right now. They were too heavy to stey in the outlet under their own power so I have them propped up with a bottle of wine. Clearly not a lasting solution, but it has definately helped with the communications problems. What too me 4 hours last time has only taken 20 minutes this time.

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

Excellent solution. So, at the least, we have verified:

a. Our text should change (Cancel to something else)

b. The Access Point has help the communications problems

 

Ah, I am so very relieved. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

 

Yeah, I have them nested on top of each other right now. They were too heavy to stey in the outlet under their own power so I have them propped up with a bottle of wine. Clearly not a lasting solution, but it has definately helped with the communications problems. What too me 4 hours last time has only taken 20 minutes this time.

[jbev]

I give.

 

I got all my devices added last night except for the very same controlLinc tht gave me all the other devices. Seems ironic that it added everything associated with it; except for itself. I follow the onscreen instructions to add a controlLinc and I get the one beep response from it, but it doesn't get added. I've tried restarting the ISy, the computer and unplugging the controlLinc for the fun of it but nothing seems to resolve it.

 

When you asked last night if I was trying to add one of these I figured that meant that I only had to use the different "Link" option in the Link Management menu, I didn't know I had to use holy water and say a prayer to make it conform to my wishes. What am I missing this time?

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

 

In all likelihood, it's already been added as a device but not to My Lighting. And, as such, you can no longer add it since ISY thinks it's already been added.

 

Please click on My Lighting or Network icon:

Do you see the ControLinc address in the table (to your right)? If so, I will send you an updated firmware to fix your issue.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

 

 

I give.

 

I got all my devices added last night except for the very same controlLinc tht gave me all the other devices. Seems ironic that it added everything associated with it; except for itself. I follow the onscreen instructions to add a controlLinc and I get the one beep response from it, but it doesn't get added. I've tried restarting the ISy, the computer and unplugging the controlLinc for the fun of it but nothing seems to resolve it.

 

When you asked last night if I was trying to add one of these I figured that meant that I only had to use the different "Link" option in the Link Management menu, I didn't know I had to use holy water and say a prayer to make it conform to my wishes. What am I missing this time?

[jbev]

I unplugged the ControlLinc and got the unable to communicate message to the address for my controlLinc so you are right. Its in there somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere in any network page. Must be one of those new low profile controllers.

 

This is weird... I was trying to get a spare switchlinc to be controlled by the ControlLinc button 4 so I could try discovering it backwards but I was unable to link anything to the controlLinc. When I pulled the plug on the ISY I could make the links with no problem.

[jbev]

I'd let you have access to take a look, but for some reason since the reset that I did last night on it I can't get in remotely. I checked all the settings in the telnet menu, but they all look good so I'm going to be messing with that for the rest of the day... the whole point of this for me was to have remote access...

[Michel Kohanim]

jbev,

 

Let me send you an update and let me know whether or not your CL reappears!

 

May I use the email address on your profile?

 

Thanks and with regards,

Michel

 

I unplugged the ControlLinc and got the unable to communicate message to the address for my controlLinc so you are right. Its in there somewhere, but I can't find it anywhere in any network page. Must be one of those new low profile controllers.

 

This is weird... I was trying to get a spare switchlinc to be controlled by the ControlLinc button 4 so I could try discovering it backwards but I was unable to link anything to the controlLinc. When I pulled the plug on the ISY I could make the links with no problem.

[jbev]

Yes, I'll give it a shot here.

[nanckekr]

I am using powerhome http://www.myx10.com/download.asp for debugging the Insteon traffic and links. It is using the PLC and thus it does not give the same insight as we need for ISY. However, it can help you create graphs of the communication quality for any of the devices, sometihng I have not yet found out how ISY can do.

 

Secondly it can show you the existing links between the devices, and it can verify if the links are broken and if so, reprogram them.

 

I am still to find this is in ISY, although I am fairly new in ISY.