ION for Windows –Quick Start Guide

MGP Software

QUICK START GUIDE

1/28/2010

This document outlines a brief introduction to installing and managing an Insteon device network using ION for Windows and a Power Line Modem #2412S or #2412U.

Installing the Hardware

ION for Windows uses a Power Line Modem 2412 Serial or USB to interface with your Insteon devices.

Power Line Modem #2412S, #2412U - Plug the Power Line Modem (PLM) into an AC outlet and the using the included cable from the PC to the PLM.

#2412U requires installing the USB drivers. The USB drivers are available for download from the SMARTHOME website. Run the USB driver software. After installation the USB port will be seen as a serial port for the ION software.

Installing the ION Software for Windows 2000, XP, 7

ION for Windows is available in a standard Windows

Requirements

ION for Windows does not install or require any special Windows system drivers.

ION for Windows is distributed as a Windows Installer package (MSI) file and requires Windows Installer.

(PLM) Power Line Modem #2412S of #2412U. The PLM includes a needed cable.

If your version of windows does not recognize the Windows Installer file "IONxx.msi", you can download the upgrade from Microsoft.

Windows Installer file IONxx.msi

What Is The Windows Installer?
The Windows Installer manages application installation, modification, repair and removal. It is both a command line utility and a service for the management of application installation on Windows systems. Windows Installer packages are self-contained database files containing requirements and instructions that are followed when applications are installed.

What Operating Systems Come With Windows Installer?
Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), and Windows XP include Windows Installer. Windows 2000 includes version 1.1 of Windows Installer, Windows Me includes version 1.2, and Windows XP includes version 2.0. Windows 2000 SP3 also contains version 2.0 of Windows Installer. Windows XP SP2 includes version 3.0.

Install ION for Windows

Double click on the installer package IONxx.msi.

Run ION for Windows

ION for Windows data file

All configuration data is kept in a binary data file named “IonWOptions.cfg”. This file is stored in the installation folder and is the only file created and maintained by the ION software. The file is easily removed and or backed up as it is a simple binary data file. ION for Windows stores all its saved data into this file. ION software does not store data in any other place. This file cannot be edited and should not be opened using software that might make changes.

Serial Port and PLM Discovery

ION for Windows software will open available serial ports until it discovers a PLM. The port information is saved to the configuration file for future use. There is no menu for port setup. ION software will search available ports automatically. Make sure the PLM is plugged in to an un-filtered outlet and the serial or USB cable is plugged in the computer.

Insteon Device Discovery – Linking to PLM

The PLM stores the Insteon device list in permanent memory called EEPROM. The storage area is referred to as “all-link database” (ALDB). Each Insteon device must be linked to the PLM.

Linking a device manually, using SET BUTTON - Manual device linking using the PLM set button and device set button is easy when devices are reachable. Generally you will press and hold a set button until the PLM’s LED begins blinking. Follow with press and hold set button with a responder device, and a link is recorded. See the respective Insteon device quick start guide or user manual for more details.

Linking a device with software – You can enter the device ID and click a button for linking.

Linking with device discovery (crawling) – After an Insteon device has been linked to the PLM and is then also seen by ION for Windows software, the device internal links list can read. Device links are examined and if a device ID is found and not already contained in the PLM device list, the device ID will be recorded and available for easy software linking. See the “Not Linked in PLM” folder.

1. Click on any device ID in the “Not Linked” folder. The device ID will fill the edit boxes shown above.

2. Choose a group. This group is contained in the PLM database and is useful when using software control over device groups or scenes. Device groups can be altered, re-assigned and changed later. It can be easier to simply group new devices according to device type or general location. It is useful to group controller type device all the same group.

3. Click the “Link device to PLM group” button. The device is now listed in the PLM all-link database (ALDB).

ION software will record linking events as they are seen to occur. After ION software has recorded a device ID, it is ready to learn more from the device. ION software will read device type and record for permanent storage. ION for Windows keeps a data file in its installation folder. This is the only file ION for Windows installs or creates.

ION for Windows Views

All Insteon devices stored in the Power Line Modem (PLM) are listed to the left.

The center window shows device details and provides editing of device links including Group, On Level, Ramp Rate.

Computer control of the Insteon device is also provided.

The view to the right lists Insteon controllers as they are found. A controller device is identified after the ION software has either recorded device type from a SET BUTTON event or issued a device ID command to the device directly. Clicking on a controller device changes the center view to that of the controller device.

Insteon devices listed at the left can be dragged and dropped onto a controller button. Or in the case of a motion sensor, drop a link inside the yellow outline.