ISY 5.3.4 with MobilLinc X/Connect Devices Missing

[theitprofessor]

Yesterday I upgraded my ISY from 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 and now my MobiLinc has no devices.  Admin console is fine everything is there.  But somehow the portal integration with MobilLinc is blocking or not seeing any devices of any type, sort of.  All the devices types show "0" devices.  I can only see Rooms, Scenes, Variables, & Programs.  This pretty much makes the MobiLinc X worthless right now.  In addition, I have no Amazon Echo voice integration for anything that involves a device.  Interesting, I still have Orchestrator (had before X) which uses MobiLinc Connect as well and all the devices are there and functioning.  I've opened a support email with MobiLinc but haven't seen a response yet.  In case it matters, I'm running iOS on 15.2.  Does anyone else have this same situation or run into this issue before? 

Edited December 30, 2021 by theitprofessor

[MrBill]

So just to be clear, are you using Mobilinc Connect or the ISY portal?  You mentioned the portal integration which normally refers to UDI's ISY portal, but later you mention that it's Mobilinc Connect.

[asbril]

51 minutes ago, theitprofessor said:

Yesterday I upgraded my ISY from 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 and now my MobiLinc has no devices.  Admin console is fine everything is there.  But somehow the portal integration with MobilLinc is blocking or not seeing any devices of any type, sort of.  All the devices types show "0" devices.  I can only see Rooms, Scenes, Variables, & Programs.  This pretty much makes the MobiLinc X worthless right now.  In addition, I have no Amazon Echo voice integration for anything that involves a device.  Interesting, I still have Orchestrator (had before X) which uses MobiLinc Connect as well and all the devices are there and functioning.  I've opened a support email with MobiLinc but haven't seen a response yet.  In case it matters, I'm running iOS on 15.2.  Does anyone else have this same situation or run into this issue before? 

The real question is why you are still using Mobilinc. The new UD Mobile is so much better.

[theitprofessor]

I have an answer for you.  One to two years ago I was using Orchestrated MobiLinc with the ISY Portal.  It was brutal almost non functional.  The sync instead of real time was killer with the 500+ devices I have.  I would press an on button and I might get it to respond in 90-120 seconds.  At that time there was no iOS UD Mobile and I wasn't a fan of the the ISY Portal as it seemed to also be slow.  So I tried X with Connect and it was jaw dropping from what I was experiencing.  Near instantaneous responses from an app button press.  I couldn't see the speed difference from a local action.  To the most part I've been very happy with that setup until this latest ISY update.  I'm a heavy, heavy user of Echo for almost everything in my ISY/Polisy.  One other feature I lived with but didn't like was the need to manage the details of the Echo configuration from the ISY Portal.  MobiLinc Connect doesn't even have a user accessible portal.  Echo configuration in MobilLinc Connect is all managed directly from the ISY Admin Console.  No separate, UI.  In addition, to Echo I use several cloud based network resources such as Pushover and others.  All of these this require the proper modules on your ISY to function.  It's not like you can switch from one app to another and try them side by side.  It's one OR the other.  The ISY Portal Module has the Network Module built into it and you need the Network Module if you want to use those other services with the MobiLinc Portal Module.  You cannot run ISY Portal and MobiLinc Portal on the same ISY.  It's one or the other and each app requires it's own portal.  UD does not make it easy to switch back and forth between portal modules.  It's not self service.  It requires a support ticket and someone at UD to change it on the backend.  I'm hesitant to make a change where I can't control the timing of that change and also a little scared about going back to the ISY Portal where my experience in it's performance was way too slow to me.  If it was quick and easy to switch back and forth I'd probably go give it a look but I've been down this path before and it's not.  Now on the other hand if someone is going to tell me MobiLinc is dying app and portal now that UD has it's own then I might be inclined to go through the pain now.  But, I'd rather spend my time on more creative ways to utilize more IoT devices instead of portal integrations and the latest app as these things should just work, and work well, right out of the box.

[MrBill]

Since this is a mobilinc and mbilinc connect problem we should ping @InsteonNut.  This thread probably really belong in the mobilinc section of the forum as one way or another Wes will need to provide the support.

FWIW, it no longer requires backend changes to migrate back and forth between Connect and the ISY portal, but it's not a fast single click process either.  the instructions are here.

[theitprofessor]

@MrBill, you cannot use MobiLinc "X" with the ISY Portal/Module.  It must be used with the MobiLinc Connect Portal/Module.  Older versions of MobiLinc like "Orchestrator" (which I used prior) you can use the ISY Portal/Module.  Please see my long explanation @Asbril above.  So to answer your question I'm currently using MobiLinc "X" with the MobiLinc Connect Portal/Module.

Thanks

 

[MrBill]

1 minute ago, theitprofessor said:

@MrBill, you cannot use MobiLinc "X" with the ISY Portal/Module

Actually you can now...  (source)   (Bold and Red Font edit by me)

Quote

Direct IP (one-time In-App Purchases):

• Multiple In-App purchase options and bundles available
• Supports Local and Remote access with IP, DNS, or ISY/UDI Portal access
• ONVIF Cameras
• ELK Security
• Multiple profiles
• Configure devices and scenes
• Does not support any cloud features such as instant on/no syncing, Family Management, Push Notifications, Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Cloud Events, or settings sync between iOS and Android devices.

 

[theitprofessor]

@MrBill, thanks and two more things.

1.  I struggled over where to put this post but I'm telling you it specifically broke immediately after my ISY 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 update.  Plain and simple.  So I wanted to call it out as a possible bug and call attention to it happened from the upgrade.  I know that doesn't mean it's a UD issue but maybe there's some incompatibility happening with the changes between 5.3.1 and 5.3.4.

2.  My issue with self service switching between the modules is not between portal modules themselves.  It's the inclusion or exclusion of the Network module.  This has to be done by UD.

[theitprofessor]

Yes, I could go to direct IP but would then loose Echo integration.  You need a portal for that and it's one or the other and with "X" there's only one option.

For full compatibility and all features, MobiLinc X requires your ISY-994i have our MobiLinc Portal module installed. To install, open the Admin Console and go to Help->Purchase Modules to install the MobiLinc Portal and then Help->Manage Modules. Do not install the UDI/ISY Portal as MobiLinc X will not work with the UDI/ISY Portal. If you've installed the UDI/ISY Portal, please contact UDI Support to have them remove the UDI/ISY Portal and install the MobiLinc Portal for your ISY.

Edited December 30, 2021 by theitprofessor

[MrBill]

1 minute ago, theitprofessor said:

Yes, I could go to direct IP but would then loose Echo integration.  You need a portal for that and it's one or the other and with "X" there's only one option.

with directIP you can use the ISY portal and its Echo integration. 

19 minutes ago, theitprofessor said:

I struggled over where to put this post but I'm telling you it specifically broke immediately after my ISY 5.3.1 to 5.3.4 update.  Plain and simple.  So I wanted to call it out as a possible bug and call attention to it happened from the upgrade.  I know that doesn't mean it's a UD issue but maybe there's some incompatibility happening with the changes between 5.3.1 and 5.3.4.

I can understand that.  but if it is a result of an ISY firmware change only Wes will be able to identify the problem.  Then he will either need to either fix mobilinc or work with UDI to change the firmware.   Also 5.3.4  has been around since July 30th and this problem has not seemed to bother anyone else... although I don't know how many people use Mobilinc X and Mobilinc connect these days... there have been several complaints that Mobilinc X is now well over a year with no updates or development.

On that note, Wes hasn't logged into the forum since 12/22.    you might want to open a ticket at mobilinc.

[theitprofessor]

Yes thank you, I sent him a message.  I also opened a support ticket yesterday with MobiLinc.  Still no response for a whole day so I sent another today.  Somehow I have this feeling nobody is watching on the other end.  Ugh!  I may be forced to make a change now but that just has issues written all over it.  IT 101, only make one change at a time and make sure it's working correctly before moving on to the next.  Otherwise you increase the complexity of resolving any issues exponentially.

[asbril]

2 hours ago, theitprofessor said:

I have an answer for you.  One to two years ago I was using Orchestrated MobiLinc with the ISY Portal.  It was brutal almost non functional.  The sync instead of real time was killer with the 500+ devices I have.  I would press an on button and I might get it to respond in 90-120 seconds.  At that time there was no iOS UD Mobile and I wasn't a fan of the the ISY Portal as it seemed to also be slow.  So I tried X with Connect and it was jaw dropping from what I was experiencing.  Near instantaneous responses from an app button press.  I couldn't see the speed difference from a local action.  To the most part I've been very happy with that setup until this latest ISY update.  I'm a heavy, heavy user of Echo for almost everything in my ISY/Polisy.  One other feature I lived with but didn't like was the need to manage the details of the Echo configuration from the ISY Portal.  MobiLinc Connect doesn't even have a user accessible portal.  Echo configuration in MobilLinc Connect is all managed directly from the ISY Admin Console.  No separate, UI.  In addition, to Echo I use several cloud based network resources such as Pushover and others.  All of these this require the proper modules on your ISY to function.  It's not like you can switch from one app to another and try them side by side.  It's one OR the other.  The ISY Portal Module has the Network Module built into it and you need the Network Module if you want to use those other services with the MobiLinc Portal Module.  You cannot run ISY Portal and MobiLinc Portal on the same ISY.  It's one or the other and each app requires it's own portal.  UD does not make it easy to switch back and forth between portal modules.  It's not self service.  It requires a support ticket and someone at UD to change it on the backend.  I'm hesitant to make a change where I can't control the timing of that change and also a little scared about going back to the ISY Portal where my experience in it's performance was way too slow to me.  If it was quick and easy to switch back and forth I'd probably go give it a look but I've been down this path before and it's not.  Now on the other hand if someone is going to tell me MobiLinc is dying app and portal now that UD has it's own then I might be inclined to go through the pain now.  But, I'd rather spend my time on more creative ways to utilize more IoT devices instead of portal integrations and the latest app as these things should just work, and work well, right out of the box.

Thanks for your long explanation.  I purchased first Mobilinc Pro and then X. I stopped using X after a few days, finding it unfriendly and went back to Pro. About 18 months ago I discovered Home Assistant with lots of help from @MrBill and I think it is very good. And then recently UD Mobile arrived and for me it beats Mobilinc by a long stretch, but I respect your approach.

[Michel Kohanim]

@theitprofessor,

I am certain @InsteonNut will get back you and get everything resolved. I just want to point out two things:

1. Yes, switch between ISY Portal and ML Connect is self service and, as @MrBill noted, it's described here : 
https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=Main_Page#Switch_from_MobiLinc_to_ISY_Portal 

2. Since you already have the network module, the switch will not impact it. i.e. when you go back to ML Connect, the Network Module will still be there.

With kind regards,
Michel

[theitprofessor]

Ok, OK, I made the move.  You all talked me into it.  I'm running UD Mobile now with the ISY Portal.  My family was giving me such a hard time because in my house everybody is so dependent on voice control we rarely touch a switch for anything.  I was tired of waiting for anybody from MobiLinc to respond so I bit the bullet and made the change.  The portal change was fully self service as long as all those modules are there and enabled.  The last time I did this it was not the case and I needed assistant from UD (Thanks Michel).  As far as the rest of the change over it was more involved as I needed to do a massive cleanup on the ISY Portal as it hasn't been used for over a year and I'm a heavy user of Echo.  As far as I'm concerned this issue is now closed as I have removed MobiLinc X and MobiLinc Connect from the equation and everything is functioning as before with two difference.  I'm becoming familiar with an old friend I haven't seen in awhile (ISY Portal) and a new one I need to get use to (UD Mobile).  Thanks everyone for all your input, as always it's very much appreciated.

[asbril]

Voice control is about the only automation my wife uses and both Alexa and Google Home work well with ISY Portal.

[InsteonNut]

Hi @theitprofessor

I responded your to DM. Feel free to reach out to me directly at support@mobilinc.com if I can be of service.

Wes