Russound and Network Resources

[Traditore]

I'm trying to create a network resource in ISY to turn on a zone on my Russound MCA-C5 system. I'm using the RIO protocol, not RNET.

 

Here's some relevant info from the Russound I/O (RIO) Protocol for 3rd Party Integrators document:

 

The RIO Command Set is available as ASCII text via IP (using port 9621) and RS232 interfaces.

 

RIO commands are made up of ASCII characters except for the terminating characters.

All RIO commands must be terminated with a (0x0D hex)

All RIO responses are terminated with a (0x0D 0x0A hex)

 

Using PuTTY as a RIO Client

 

When connected via IP, you may use PuTTY in ʻRawʼ mode or ʻTelnetʼ mode, depending on your testing needs.

With either mode, specify ʻPortʼ as ʻ9621ʼ in order for PuTTY to operate as a RIO client.

If you select ʻRawʼ as your ʻConnection typeʼ, PuTTY will interoperate with a RIO compliant Russound device without any further configuration.

 

So using PuTTY, I can turn on zone 3 of my MCA-C5 by sending this string:

 

EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn

 

But I can't seem to figure out how to translate this as a network resource in ISY. I tried a few things, but this is what seems most logical to me:

Protocol: tcp

Host: IP of my MCA-C5

Port: 9621

Timeout: 500

Mode: Raw text

 

Body: EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn

 

What I'm missing are the terminating characters. As stated above, all RIO commands must be terminated with a (0x0D hex).

 

How do I input this so that it is interpreted correctly?

 

These variations don't work:

 

EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn

EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn

EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn\

 

When I test the string in ISY, a window pops up and says:

 

TCP client read response failed

 

I appreciated any input from you guys.

[Traditore]

Why is it that we often find the solution a few minutes AFTER posting a question in a forum?!?

 

I used an ASCII table to convert my string EVENT C[1].Z[3]!ZoneOn(carriage return) and send it in binary mode. In this case, it looks like this:

 

69;86;69;78;84;32;67;91;49;93;46;90;91;51;93;33;90;111;110;101;79;110;13

 

And it works!!! But I have no idea why, because I don't have any programming experience.

 

Going letter by letter with an ASCII table was a total pain. Afterwards, I found an online converter, but it does not insert the semi-colons required. Is there a tool that would do this? I could always use Word and search and replace all spaces with semi-colons, but that's not elegant... Any better alternatives?

 

When I have a little time, I'll write a pack of network resources for the MCA-C5 and share it here.

[sanders2222]

I'm trying to create a network resource in ISY to turn on a zone on my Russound MCA-C5 system

I wish I understood what you just posted as I want to control zones on my Russound CAA66 with the ISY. I would assume the protocol is the same as your model. I have an ELK IP232 for the Russound that I will hook up once I get my ATX power supply up and running.

 

After that, I suppose I'm going to have to have a better understanding of REST, RIO, RNET or whatever. It sounds like using those tools can be a bit difficult.

[Traditore]

I believe older systems, like the CAV, only use RNET over serial. I don't really know about the CAA series. I'm sure it's controlled through the serial port, but I don't know if RNET is the protocol used. If so, you might be able to use the Russound .zip file from UDI's wiki to control your CAA system. Check under Networks Resources.

 

The newer MCA-Cx can also use RIO over IP, which means there's no need for an IP-to-serial adapter, like Elk's IP232. In this case, the client talks directly to the Russound controller.

 

And I agree with you, working with this is difficult.

[MstrD]

I am currently setting up a CAV system. Im using a Global Cache to connect to the serial port. I've also played around with a CAA system and it uses the same commands. The zip file on the wiki works to turn the zones on/off. I've got all the other commands and hopefully I'll have an expanded command set done soon. I just need to find some spare time to update them all. I'lll post more as my project progresses. For those of you with an iPhone, there as app called llama panel pro that also can control the CAA/CAV systems with RNET Through the serial port.

[Traditore]

That app is pretty good for CAAs and CAVs. But it does not play well with newer systems, like my MCA-C5. Good thing Russound came out with an app for the iPad. Now if only they could make something for iPods...

[sanders2222]

The zip file on the wiki works to turn the zones on/off.

Anyone have the link to that file? Merry Christmas everyone!

[MstrD]

The link is about half way down in the Russound seciton. I used the GC-100 version. Works great. I am setitng up two CAV66 linked via RNET. I can control all 12 zones through those links. I have the full RS232 specs someplace. I'll see if I can add other commands besides on/off.

 

http://www.universal-devices.com/mwiki/ ... edirect=no

[MstrD]

Traditore- I know this is an older thread, but I've been working on a couple Russound things on my system.

 

I think if you change your network resource from RAW to C-escape and then add: \r At the end it should work for you without converting to hex. The \r is the CR that you need to add at the end.

 

The other thing is that Russound came out with a My Russound app for the iPhone/iPod. Unfortunately for me it's just RIO and not the older hex, but I think it will work for you.

 

David

[garybixler]

Thanks MstrD for the good info about using C-escape. Sure saves a lot of time and errors.

Gary

[Traditore]

MstrD - My turn to revive an old thread... I actually ended up here while playing with Tapatalk. There's a place where it shows all the threads I subscribed to or participated in and I stumbled upon this one. Anyway...

 

I tried what you suggested (\r in C Escaped mode) and it worked!!! This might convince me to further integrate my MCA-C5, even though I have already done a lot in raw mode (with binary hex conversion): on, off, mute, pause, play, stop, source selection, vol up and down for all eight zones. A while ago, I uploaded my basic resource files on the wiki: http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i_Series_INSTEON:Networking:Network_Resources#Russound_MCA_Series

 

I might eventually get around to uploading my extended set of commands.

 

Thanks for following up on this after all this time. It might come handy in the future.