Faux Elk Node server

[cwagner2401]

Hi.  I have two homes with ISY994i/IR Pro 5.3.4 and ELK M1G. I currently use eKeypad Pro and have been playing with UD Mobile.  I like the UI in UD Mobile but, I need access to the ELK module for it to be functional for me.    I have extensive integration between ISY and ELK with programs, tasks, outputs and am very interested in the status of development of the faux Elk Node server for ISY so that I can use UD Mobile.   I do not want to migrate these homes to another hardware platform.

Thanks.

 

[DennisC]

6 minutes ago, cwagner2401 said:

Hi.  I have two homes with ISY994i/IR Pro 5.3.4 and ELK M1G. I currently use eKeypad Pro and have been playing with UD Mobile.  I like the UI in UD Mobile but, I need access to the ELK module for it to be functional for me.    I have extensive integration between ISY and ELK with programs, tasks, outputs and am very interested in the status of development of the faux Elk Node server for ISY so that I can use UD Mobile.   I do not want to migrate these homes to another hardware platform.

Thanks.

 

Not sure I understand your question.

I use the Elk Node Server and I can assure you it is genuine and not fake.

[cwagner2401]

 Thanks for your reply, Dennis.

I'm referring to the project UD (Javi) has called "faux node server"  - I believe they use "faux" to indicate that it's designed to run on ISY.

That said, do you have Elk node server running on an ISY?

[DennisC]

Yes, I and many others are currently using this node server. I have been using it for over two years. Its functionality is at the least on par with the now end of live Elk Module and in some ways much better. The support from the developer is top notch.

I am unaware of any of the approximately 100 current node servers developed mainly by individual developers with support from UD called "faux node server", but maybe it exists somewhere.

The current list of Polyglot v3 node servers that can run on Polisy or eisy is here:

https://polyglot.universal-devices.com/

If you follow that link and click on the name Elk, and then click through the next page, you will see information about the node server and its functionality. If you click the link at the top of the Elk node server github readme file called Issues, you will find current open issues the developer is tracking.

You mention "ISY" in your last post. If you are referring to an ISY994, I use to, but I moved on to a Polisy and now an eisy. The current version of the node servers in the link to the list I posted will not run on a ISY994. These node servers require either a Polisy or eisy. The ISY994 is now end of life.

Previously, with Polyglot v2, node servers could be run on a raspberry pi, however, while Polyglot v2 might still be available (?), it is also end of life and there will be o future development.

 

[Geddy]

4 hours ago, cwagner2401 said:

I have extensive integration between ISY and ELK with programs, tasks, outputs and am very interested in the status of development of the faux Elk Node server for ISY so that I can use UD Mobile. 

As @DennisC points out I'm not sure what you're referring to as "faux Node Server" (you later say that @Javi has called it that). I don't pay much attention to Elk stuff so maybe there is something like this, but just don't know. As far as I know "node servers" run on devices outside of the ISY994 that you have and feed information into the ISY994 system. In the past it was Polylgot Cloud (of course cloud based - closed last year) or Polyglot v2 that could run on rpi systems (now also not being supported by UDI or many developers). The current offering is Polyglot v3 and available only to run on Polisy or eisy. If you want a true node server process to continue with the Elk system then you would need to get an eisy (or used Polisy) and run that way. It can clearly still push data to your existing ISY994, but the Polisy and eisy are designed to replace the ISY994 and add all the functions of node servers (not just the Elk system). 

4 hours ago, cwagner2401 said:

I do not want to migrate these homes to another hardware platform.

Since you say you don't want to migrate to another hardware then you're somewhat limited. I expect that ISY994 + Elk Module should continue to work as it does now. Knowing that UDI is ending support for ISY994 you're at the mercy of it as it is today and if you have issues getting help here (which isn't bad, IMO). 

I think it would possibly be wise to consider upgrade viability for your system(s) to give you even more control than you currently have with the ISY994+Elk Module.

[Javi]

4 hours ago, cwagner2401 said:

 Thanks for your reply, Dennis.

I'm referring to the project UD (Javi) has called "faux node server"  - I believe they use "faux" to indicate that it's designed to run on ISY.

That said, do you have Elk node server running on an ISY?

I think I may have used this language when describing how UD Mobile implements nodes. It was along the lines of, if Elk Module where to be implemented into UD Mobile It would be similar to a faux Node Server.  I said this as the app implements Programs and variable as faux Node Servers with respect to how Node Server developers define status and controls using Nodes Server definition files. I don't think, at this point, a faux Node Server will be built as the ELK Node Server already does the same or better and the ELK Module doesn't exist on eisy.

If using ISY994 you could always set variables for status and use Programs to control the ELK module. Using custom mappings you will allow you rename the variables status and program command using UD Mobile Favorites.

[cwagner2401]

Thanks, Javi. Will do.  I just was hoping I might be able to avoid that.

[cwagner2401]

Thanks Geddy & DennisC for your thoughtful comments.  I'm not educated on Node Servers.  Are they cloud provided or can they run locally on an EISY (like the Elk module runs on the 994).

Thanks again!

[DennisC]

38 minutes ago, cwagner2401 said:

Thanks Geddy & DennisC for your thoughtful comments.  I'm not educated on Node Servers.  Are they cloud provided or can they run locally on an EISY (like the Elk module runs on the 994).

Thanks again!

As stated in my previous reply, the current crop of node servers run on a Polisy or eisy. The cloud based node server offering was shutdown due to security concerns.

Depending on the specific node server, some cloud participation may be required for specific manufactures but Elk is not one of them. 

[cwagner2401]

got it. 

One more question came to mind... the ELK module permits control of things like Elk outputs via the ISY but UD Mobile does not see those outputs.  With EISY and the Elk node server, how do things like outputs appear in UD Mobile? 

[DennisC]

1 minute ago, cwagner2401 said:

got it. 

One more question came to mind... the ELK module permits control of things like Elk outputs via the ISY but UD Mobile does not see those outputs.  With EISY and the Elk node server, how do things like outputs appear in UD Mobile? 

UD Mobile was not designed to work with the EOL Elk Module. UD Mobile fully supports the Elk Node server and both developer's have worked together before to correct any issues.

In UD Mobile using the Elk Node server, outputs appear as any other node.

[cwagner2401]

Thanks again.  You've been very helpful.  I'll be exploring more deeply the polyglot link that you sent earlier in the thread. 

As an aside, do you know if EISY has a way to support infrared?  I use that in one of my installations. 

[Javi]

18 minutes ago, cwagner2401 said:

Thanks again.  You've been very helpful.  I'll be exploring more deeply the polyglot link that you sent earlier in the thread. 

As an aside, do you know if EISY has a way to support infrared?  I use that in one of my installations. 

Not out of the box, but the eISYIR Node Server support IR with Flirc IR dongle connected to a USB port on eisy.

[cwagner2401]

Thanks, Javi.  I’ll explore that as well.