ISY Portal IP Address

[j.rieff]

Does the IP address associated with an ISY 944i that uses the ISY Portal periodically change? If so, How does one know when this change happens and how can this be communicated so one change access the ISY when not on the home network of the ISY. Today, I was trying to access my ISY when I was not at home. When I logged onto the ISY Portal, I discovered the IP address that was previously being used (even the day before) had changed. Once I updated the IP address in the app on my Android phone everything was good again. Just wondering if there was some automatic way to keep track of the update.

[DennisC]

39 minutes ago, j.rieff said:

Does the IP address associated with an ISY 944i that uses the ISY Portal periodically change? If so, How does one know when this change happens and how can this be communicated so one change access the ISY when not on the home network of the ISY. Today, I was trying to access my ISY when I was not at home. When I logged onto the ISY Portal, I discovered the IP address that was previously being used (even the day before) had changed. Once I updated the IP address in the app on my Android phone everything was good again. Just wondering if there was some automatic way to keep track of the update.

Use the DHCP reservation in your router to make an IP address permanent. See the instructions here:

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:Network_Settings

 

[j.rieff]

Dennis - Thanks for your response. My ISY is already assigned a static address per the referenced document. 

My question actually pertains to the Internet Access IP address that is visible from the About selection under Help. This is the IP address that is used my ISY Portal.

[Geddy]

@j.rieff you don’t need to keep up with the external IP if you’re using the portal to connect while remote from the ISY. You need to use the “URL to ISY” seen in screen shot attached. It’s a long URL and is updated by the ISY if is needed. This is a more secure way to remote to the ISY.  No port forwarding is needed if accessing this method.  You just use your UD Portal credentials to log into the ISY.  

What App are you using on the phone to connect to the ISY? Most of them might allow Portal integration access, but just not sure.

if the only way is to use the IP address and port forwarding then there is no good way to know.  I would suggest perhaps using some sort of free DDNS.  Some routers even have that built in now that it updates if your IP changes so you don’t have to remember it. (You can Google how those work best for your setup)

Good luck 

[MrBill]

14 hours ago, j.rieff said:

Does the IP address associated with an ISY 944i that uses the ISY Portal periodically change? If so, How does one know when this change happens and how can this be communicated so one change access the ISY when not on the home network of the ISY. Today, I was trying to access my ISY when I was not at home. When I logged onto the ISY Portal, I discovered the IP address that was previously being used (even the day before) had changed. Once I updated the IP address in the app on my Android phone everything was good again. Just wondering if there was some automatic way to keep track of the update.

It almost sounds like you're using the portal to find your external IP address and then connecting to the ISY through a forwarded port on your router.     You should never need an IP address to access the ISY from outside your local network.

First, close the forwarded port, you don't need that.

second use the long URL the ISY that @Geddy mentions above: Portal > Select Tool > Information > ISY Information.

When using the long URL above your don't use your simple credentials that work when logging in at home, instead use your PORTAL login credentials... even for the admin console. 

a few wiki pages:

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_Admin_Console

https://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY_Portal_MobiLinc_Configuration

I could swear there's an additional wiki with an example of using the long URL but I'm not finding it.

 

 

[j.rieff]

@Geddy  @MrBillI am using the Simple Home Controller app on my Android phone. In fact, I had been using it for several years with no problems. I was using a DDNS service through No-IP dot com with no problems. Then all of a sudden sometime last year I could no longer access my ISY device when I was off my home network. I double checked all my port forwarding assignments and everything appeared to be OK. I checked my URL for my DDNS. Everything was OK. Everything was correct in the SHC settings. After working with the SHC developer for several weeks, I posted a question on this forum. The consensus was use ISY Portal and the IP address from the link you suggested. That worked until a couple of days ago when I noticed the IP address in the ISY Portal was different than the one I was originally using. Not sure why it changed. I did not even notice the ISY Portal URL. Not sure if that will work in the SHC app since as you mentioned it brings me to the Admin Console. 

[j.rieff]

Follow-up - I copied the URL to ISY as described above. I used both MS Edge and Chrome to access this URL I get the login dialog window. I use my Portal credentials rather than my Admin Credentials. I get the following error message: /isy/{removed} not found

 

Obviously there is a user error on my part. Just not sure what. 

[Geddy]

1 hour ago, j.rieff said:

Not sure if that will work in the SHC app since as you mentioned it brings me to the Admin Console. 

It doesn't "bring" you to the Admin Console, that's just how you log into the console remotely. It should work for accessing in most apps since that's what they're accessing anyway. When you were using the IP address did you end it with "desc"?

You will need to use the entire URL. It should start with "https://my.isy.io/isy". I don't know how that app works since I'm not an Android user. Although, it you were using the IP address then using the URL for Admin Console or even the "URL to ISY" should work for one of the options. As you mentioned you will need the portal credentials to access the ISY using this process. It also might only work if you are remote. I've never tried it in other apps while local. 

This URL aren't typically ones that you are using to surf to the ISY, but they're used for accessing through Admin Console or apps. I too get the "not found" if I try going to the "URL to ISY", but in an app to access my ISY it works without issue. 

When you use the IP address are you using any port forwarding on your router to point to the ISY? Using one of the "URL to ISY" or "Admin Console URL" paths should give the app the address directly to the ISY. You don't need to use port forwarding when accessing the ISY through the Portal through this method. 

If you've got it working again that's great. Just make note that if it stops working again you can log into the ISY Portal and get the current public IP address for the ISY. Perhaps there are other users of Simple Home Controller here that can give you more insight and help.

 

[j.rieff]

@GeddyAll of this makes lots of sense. When I was using the IP address it did not include "/desc". 

 

I will try add the "URL to ISY" address in the address field in the app. I will probably need to "log" onto the portal from my phone and copy the :URL to ISY" address including the https preamble. Hopefully, copying the address rather manually entering the info will be easier. There are lots of opportunities for dropping a letter or number from the address. 

 

Thanks for your help. Give me a day or two to update the app settings. I will let you know whether or not I was successful. Spring is starting to "sprung" so I need to do a little yard work. 

[MrBill]

15 hours ago, j.rieff said:

Follow-up - I copied the URL to ISY as described above. I used both MS Edge and Chrome to access this URL I get the login dialog window. I use my Portal credentials rather than my Admin Credentials. I get the following error message: /isy/{redacted} not found

 

Obviously there is a user error on my part. Just not sure what. 

you need to use the fully qualified URL...

https://my.isy.io/isy/{redacted}

When you use this URL, you will specify your portal Login and and password as the username and password to the ISY.

 

PS - Don't post your key, no one needs it except you.  But it's not a huge security issue, as your credentials are also required to use it.

[j.rieff]

@MrBillThanks for covering my tooshy. Totally went brain dead at that moment. Looks like a little rain this weekend so I should have some time to update my settings in the SHC app. I will remember to use the fully qualified URL starting with https://my.isy.io/isy/ .............

[MrBill]

21 minutes ago, j.rieff said:

I will remember to use the fully qualified URL starting with https://my.isy.io/isy/ .............

and the credentials for the portal, not the ISY.....

[j.rieff]

@MrBillAgain - Thanks for the reminder. 

[j.rieff]

@MrBillFinally was able to update the spp settings. Copy and paste with my phone are not in my highly proficient skill set. Everything appears to be working.

 

thanks