M1XEP connection problem with ElkRP2

[MarkJames]

This isn't ISY related really - I'm just hoping someone has some thoughts that might help me troubleshoot this.

 

I have an M1G system that's been in place for about 12 years.  I connect to it through an M1XEP interface. 

In my home there are 9 PC's - a mix of Windows 7, 8, and 10.  I've always connected to the M1XEP from ElkRP2 from a PC in the laundry room.  Recently, though, I've been wanting to move the Elk database to my QNAP and then I could connect to the Elk from anywhere.  

ElkRP2 is V2.0.36  M1G firmware is 5.3.10

This is where things go weird.

From the laundry computer it's all fine.  I connect perfectly.  If I go to any of the other PCs I cannot connect.  I can 'FIND M!XEP' and it finds it properly but it won't allow me to make changes or reboot - all the choices are grayed.  If I try to directly enter the IP it won't connect.

I've been pulling my hair out on this - I've disabled Windows Firewall everywhere, I can ping it from everywhere and get a <2ms response.  I've tried both secure and insecure ports.  I've tried doing it internally on 192.168.0.238 and also externally with port forwards to both 2601 and 2101.  I've power cycled the M1XEP to reboot.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks.

[MarkJames]

[EDIT] - I think I may have found the reason  https://www.elkproducts.com/ForumRetrieve.aspx?TopicID=2112442&amp;A=SearchResult&amp;SearchID=11152502&amp;ObjectID=2112442&amp;ObjectType=43

 

Or not...

 

I upgraded the M1XEP firmware to allow for the longer key length in WIndows 10.  The M1XEP is now on 2.0.34

I still can't program or reboot the M1XEP from remote, though now I can connect to the panel

 

[bipto]

Ah yes, I feel your pain - I went through this myself when upgrading to W10 on all my machines several years ago.

Did you also upgrade the ElkRP app when (after) upgrading the M1EXP firmware?

Unfortunately I'm not able to access my system in order to relay my working revisions at the moment, but I do believe that both needed to be upgraded to allow W10 access...

[MarkJames]

Thanks Bipto,

I think both are current now - 2.0.34 for M1XEP and 2.0.36 for the RP software.  The software finds the M1XEP, reads it settings,  but won't let me do anything to it from any PC but one.  There has to be something different about that PC but I can't for the life of me determine what it is.

 

mark

[MWareman]

This may seem obvious, but the M1XEP can only accept a single TCP connection from the ElkRP software.

If you are trying from another PC - you are making sure all others are disconnected right?

When I had that pain (after upgrading my machines to Win10) I had to setup a VM just to upgrade my M1XEP. However, once I did that everything returned to normal.

[MarkJames]

HI Michael,

Yes - I'm only using one connection.  

With that said, I have both ISY and a Homeseer Plugin listening to the M1XEP all the time.  The only time that either of those actively polls is for 'az00' as far as I know.  My personal website can poll it as well but I have that turned off by default.  

Interestingly - ElkRP will create a connection to the M1XEP that locks out my Homeseer Plugin (not sure about ISY).  But as you pointed out - if ElkRP is connected then a second attempt to connect via  ElkRP over TCP from another PC will fail.

I think it's working fine now.  I got lucky and was able to upgrade the M1XEP from a Windows 8.1 box without having to use a VM down to Win7 or XP.  That box hasn't taken any updates in a very long time (I generally disable updates) so I guess the key length routines hadn't changed on that one.

 

Mark

 

 

[MWareman]

When you open ElkRP and connect to the M1EXP - ALL other connections are disconnected. Including the one to ISY. This is normal.

 

If some other software is connecting like the ElkRP software - it could conceivable interrupt all other communications to the M1XEP.

 

Glad you got yourself working again!

[silverton38]

There is definitely some issue with this. It took me a day to get the connection working properly. Elk does not offer voice support and my commercial distributor could not help. 

I did find that if you can not connect then reboot the ethernet interface (M1EXP).

 

[Scottmichaelj]

There is definitely some issue with this. It took me a day to get the connection working properly. Elk does not offer voice support and my commercial distributor could not help. 
I did find that if you can not connect then reboot the ethernet interface (M1EXP).
 

I am an Elk installer and AV integrator. PM me your info and I would be happy to call you direct and see if I can help. We can also check your firmware to make sure its all up to date, and of course at no charge. I am just paying it forward for those who I have had to lean on for help myself.

[silverton38]

Thank You so much. I might take you up on that. I am trying to do this on my own and documenting the experience. I may ask you a question or two if you do not mind.

[CoolToys]

Any outcome?  I can connect to my M1EXP with RP2 in Parallels in Win 10 just fine.  

I can connect to second house (ok a little cabin) the same way.  I can connect to cabin ISY and connect to ELK, but at my home I can not.  The setups are nearly identical, and it is making me nuts.  I don't get the "refresh topology" button to get active at home, and I do for the cabin, so I assume that means at home the ISY and M1EXP are not communicating.  Both Elk and UD Wiki assume that if you enter the right numbers it just connects.  There isn't anything that says "Wrong password"  or "Invalid Code".  Nothing happens.

I have rebooted the M1EXP and the ISY and insured that there is no connection from other devices or network traffic.  RP2 connects fine. both secure and Non-secure.  

For the Elk and UDI folks.  There are all kinds of discussions about 99i needs non-secure and 994i pro needs secure and yet none of the "documentation" confirms this.  The wiki says the same thing but then other updates contradict this.  Which is it?  I have a 994i Pro at home (994i at the cabin), and have tried both methods and so far zilch.

There are dozens of entry's relating to "TLS Username" and "TLS password" in the forums and it is clearly labeled in the UD admin interface.  Being the simpleton I am that expects congruency, there is not any place in RP2 that I can find that says "TLS Username".  My guess is that  this refers to the Users tab on the M1Exp Setup and something that says where to find those two entries on RP2 by the UD software or install guide would be fantastic.

Call me simple but I have owned three companies and written a dozen books about home automation, including teaching at CEDIA and CEA.  I started at Apple in the 80's and Apples Human User Interface Guide from the 80's was among the best.  If the ISY needs a "TLS Username" and "TLS Password" which are both in the ELK Configuration tab of the latest UD Admin Interface, there should be an example of EXACTLY where this is since the ELK manual and software does not have a block or mention of "TLS Username" or "TLS Password".

Admittedly all of my stores were HAI and Crestron dealers and somehow the transition to ELK hasn't been as smooth as the folks at smart home said it would be.

Documentation matters...

[MarkJames]

For me it was an Elk upgrade that was required due to Windows10.  Once the upgrade was completed it was fine.

 

There's some reference to it here though it's about a failure of the update - mine succeeded.