ISY99 and Simplehomenet Utilitysuite compatibility

[vandede]

My EZIO6I doesn't broadcast changes so I need to change its settings. I'm trying to figure out how to use Simplehomenets Utility Suite v2.01 to do so. I have my Smarthome PowerLinc Modem (#2413S) connected to the ISY99. How do I use the Utility Suite to change my EZIO6I settings since I don't have the EZBridge or PLC or PLM with USB (I don't have a COM port)?

 

Appreciate any insights!

[LeeG]

vandede

 

First, if the EZIO6I has been added to the ISY it will not send Broadcast messages. The ISY establishes links with all the EZIO6I Inputs which suppresses all Broadcast messages. Even if the links were not there the ISY does not process the Broadcast messages. With the link records that are automatically written you should see all Input state changes which can be used in Program If statements.

 

Regarding the SimpleHomeNet Utility Suite you would have to move the ISY PLM to a Serial port on the PC and then Connect to the PLM directly using the SHN Utility. This can be done as NO changes are made to the PLM by the SHN Utility but you would not have a functional ISY while the PLM is directly connected to a Serial port on the PC.

 

Lee

[Brian H]

You will need a com port if you use the 2413S.

Do you by chance have a USB to serial adapter to try?

[vandede]

So even if I change the ezio6i to broadcast the isy99 won't detect it? That's disappointing. But then so is the difficulty in trying to use the outdated SHN utility.

 

So I need to write a program to look at the changes in the link records if I want to get the on / off changes?

 

Is Simplehomenet a player in home automation?

[LeeG]

The ISY will see each change in Input state without the use of Broadcast messages. Are you having trouble seeing the Input state changes with the ISY.

 

Broadcast messages have the short coming of not being ACKed by any responder so there is no way to know that all or any responder will see a Broadcast message. With a good powerline they work okay but using link records (as the ISY does) and Group commands (which are ACKed and retried if not acknowledged) are the most reliable.

[vandede]

So I'm sensing some hope here. And I appreciate your thorough knowledge which I don't have.

 

Can you point me in the right direction of how I use the link records and Group commands? I'm a DIYer but just need some direction or hints where to start.

 

In the PLM Links Table all my devices show but the EZIO6I. The EZIO6I shows up in both the ISY Links Table and the Device Links Table (although for some strange reason the Device Link Table has 7 links with the last OFC8 showing all 0s).

 

How do I get to the link records? Using a new program? What all gets grouped? It seems inefficient to always be querying the device but thats what seems to work to show the status change.

[LeeG]

I'm beginning to think I do not understand how you are using the ISY in your environment. Link records are basically static once established. They do not change as the EZIO6I Inputs change state. The link records in the EZIO6I provide the Insteon address of the ISY PLM so the EZIO6I knows where to send the Group On/Off messages representing Input state changes. The link records in the ISY PLM allow the PLM to receive these Group On/Off messages which support the use of things like "If Control EZIO6I Input 1 On" in an ISY Program. That is not the actual ISY Program syntax but represents the nature of the logic statements in an ISY Program.

 

Are you trying to write your own program independent of the ISY that would handle Insteon message traffic? Seems like all the great ISY capability to detect device messages and trigger ISY Programs is not being considered in your solution.

 

Please expand on what direction you are taking. My responses have assumed you would be using ISY Programs which do not deal with link records directly as that is all done automatically under the covers by the ISY. If you are implementing outside the ISY environment then you have a completely different set of requirements.

[vandede]

I changed my previous post slightly (you're fast with your replies) to discuss the links table).

 

I'm trying to use ISY to send me a message when the status changes for my door sensor. The status only changes in ISY when I do a query. I'm trying to stay simple but don't know how to get the status updated in ISY real time vs. always querying it.

 

In the end, I'd like to know via email when the EZIO6I door status changes.

[LeeG]

The EZIO6I Input state changes should be real time in the ISY. You should see each Input turn On/Off using the Admin Console. The ISY needs to be at one of the 2.8.x images and the EZIO6I added to the ISY using one of the 2.8.x images. If the EZIO6I was added to the ISY using an image before 2.8.x and/or your ISY is not on one of the 2.8.x images Input state changes will not be processed correctly making the need for the Query.

 

When you indicate "I'm trying to use ISY to send me a message", what is the me? Is this an ISY Program?

 

The all zeros link record marks the end of the active link record list. The EZIO6I must appear in the PLM Links table. Insteon hardware requires these link records in the ISY PLM to receive Group messages from any Insteon device which includes the EZIO6I. Since you do not have any Scenes defined for the EZIO6I I would suggest Removing the EZIO6I and adding it back using the latest 2.8.4 ISY image.

[vandede]

I'm running 2.8.2 but will upgrade as I think there is now a 2.8.4. Then I will remove the EZIO6I and then link it again.

 

The "me" is just a program that says if door closure is on send notification to my email.

 

I'm off to church but will get back to you later morning.

[LeeG]

Okay, thanks. You are on the right track. The EZIO8I Input states should show up in real time under the Admin Console and those state changes can be used to trigger an ISY Program. Once the necessary link records appear in both the EZIO6I and the ISY PLM I would expect to see the Admin Console display to change for the EZIO6I Inputs just like any other Insteon device. I have various EZIOxx devices installed and they all show real time Input changes. I have been running 2.8.4 for about as long as it has been available.

[vandede]

I upgraded to 2.8.4 and relinked the EZIO6I (adding the EZIO6I under the Link Management - New Insteon Device and selected device type "07.07 Compacta EZIO6I) but it still has the same problem. The EZIO6I shows in the Device Links Table and the ISY Links Table but NOT in the PLM Links Table. Under My Lighting main screen it shows it as "Compact IZIO6Iv00".

 

To get the status in the admin console you still need to query. I don't understand. Look forward to your thoughts!

[LeeG]

That is good information. A PLM does not accept a message from a device that does not have an active link record in the PLM link database. The next step would be a File | Restore Modem (PLM) function to get the ISY to rewrite the PLM link records.

[vandede]

You're brilliant! The PLM restore fixed all my problems.

 

Thank you, God bless.