Export and Import Programs with the ISY

[LarryCRetired]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the export and import commands in the ISY. 

In particular, if I exported a folder with a large number of programs, deleted those programs from the ISY and imported them back into the ISY in say 6 months, would I have any issues.  I will make some assumptions below to help with an answer if anyone has had this experience.

I am trying to clean up and improve upon what I have learned in the past 7 years.  Most likely, I would never import the programs back, but I thought I would use this option if it does not cause more issues than it helps.

Thanks in advance if anyone can let me know their experience.

Assumptions:

• I do not delete any variables
• I do not delete any devices but I may use the ISY replace command to replace a failed device.
• I add new devices
• I do add more programs and more variables, more customized emails, network resource screens, node servers and anything else one could do in that 6 month period.

Thank You

 

[Teken]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the export and import commands in the ISY. 
In particular, if I exported a folder with a large number of programs, deleted those programs from the ISY and imported them back into the ISY in say 6 months, would I have any issues.  I will make some assumptions below to help with an answer if anyone has had this experience.
I am trying to clean up and improve upon what I have learned in the past 7 years.  Most likely, I would never import the programs back, but I thought I would use this option if it does not cause more issues than it helps.
Thanks in advance if anyone can let me know their experience.
Assumptions:

• I do not delete any variables
• I do not delete any devices but I may use the ISY replace command to replace a failed device.
• I add new devices
• I do add more programs and more variables, more customized emails, network resource screens, node servers and anything else one could do in that 6 month period.

Thank You
 

Just going off memory as this has been a very long time since doing so maybe something has changed?!? You’ll want to rely on a restore ISY as a first line of defence if something ever goes wrong.

RE: Export it works in so far as it allows you to back up critical programs, network resources, etc.

RE: Import works on a new bare metal image or controller that doesn’t have the same. Keep in mind the operating system does not call out or delete duplicate entries!

Meaning if you literally exported everything. Moments later said let’s try this on my production controller. You’ll quickly find duplicates of the same?!?

Maybe 5.XX has resolved this obvious problem???

[LarryCRetired]

Teken

 

thank you. You have given me something to think about

[Teken]

Teken
 
thank you. You have given me something to think about

Were you intending to import a backup on an existing production system or bare metal one?

[LarryCRetired]

Teken

I am bumping up on the 1000 program/folder limitation with the ISY.  Since I moved over my x10 devices 7 years ago and since then migrated to Insteon, I have vastly improved my programing skills due to this forum and especially lately from Mr. Bill.

What I want to do is rewrite/start over and was considering how I might do that and still remain under the program limitations of the ISY.  That was the purpose of my question regarding the export and import options.

Basically to give me some room to reprogram, should I export a folder from the ISY and then delete that folder.  But if I should run into a problem, I could import that folder back into the ISY if I needed to.

Mr. Bill, over the past month, has taught me how to optimize the use of State Variables which greatly reduced the number of programs I had written using integer variables to perform the same logic.

So hopefully this provides some clarity as to the reason for my question.

Thanks again.

[Teken]

Teken
I am bumping up on the 1000 program/folder limitation with the ISY.  Since I moved over my x10 devices 7 years ago and since then migrated to Insteon, I have vastly improved my programing skills due to this forum and especially lately from Mr. Bill.
What I want to do is rewrite/start over and was considering how I might do that and still remain under the program limitations of the ISY.  That was the purpose of my question regarding the export and import options.
Basically to give me some room to reprogram, should I export a folder from the ISY and then delete that folder.  But if I should run into a problem, I could import that folder back into the ISY if I needed to.
Mr. Bill, over the past month, has taught me how to optimize the use of State Variables which greatly reduced the number of programs I had written using integer variables to perform the same logic.
So hopefully this provides some clarity as to the reason for my question.
Thanks again.

From a three prong approach you can make a full ISY Back Up. Next back up the individual programs / network resources as they exist now. From there delete any unnecessary programs and save the same in those two steps outlined up above.

A true test would be to delete everything like programs and import the same to validate this process works. I firmly believe it will so long as existing programs / network resources are not present.

As an aside if you haven’t purchased a Polyisy this may also give you that needed room. As the Node Servers in their various flavours allows independent actions from using State / Variables and only focus on programs to act on the same.

Just something to consider as you try to limit breaking that 1000 barrier!

[LarryCRetired]

Teken

i started down the path this afternoon of exporting a folder with programs that I had already redesigned.  

As I started to delete programs a folder at a time, I realized I had probably 25 to 30 integer variables that I will probably not use again.

So best laid plans, I figured what I have today in new programs is way better than the old so I deleted all the old variables and will not look back.

sorry I took up your time with this.