IonW – Insteon Software for Windows by MGP Software
1/28/2010
Required Insteon Interface:
Power Line Modem (PLM) # 2413U, #2412S of #2412U. The PLM includes a needed cable.
- Plug the Power Line Modem (PLM) into an AC outlet and the using the included cable from the Computer to the PLM.
Insteon Devices
For Windows XP service Pack 3 or greater, Vista, Windows 7
IonW – PLM Insteon Windows Software
IonW instalation is to a normal [Program Files] directory. Configuration data is stored in tha [AppData] directory.
IonW for Windows is distributed as a Windows Installer package (MSI) file. The Microsoft® Windows® Installer (MSI) is the application installation and configuration service for Windows.
Install IonW - Double click on the installer package IonWxx.msi.
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. Older WinXP versions and or older USB device may need USB drivers downloadable from Smarthome.com
Insteon Device Discovery – Linking to Power Line Modem (PLM)
If the Power Line Modem has previously been used, it probably contains existing links for Insteon devices. IonW will discover devices already linked to the PLM.
The PLM stores a list of Insteon device links in a database (ALDB). An Insteon device is linked to the PLM to be usable for computer control.
Linking a device manually, using the device SET BUTTON
- Manual device linking using the PLM set button and device set button is easy when devices are reachable.
Press and hold a set button until the PLM’s LED begins blinking. (10 seconds)
Press and hold set the button for a responder device. (3 seconds) See the respective Insteon device quick start guide or user manual for more details. Most responders will blink and or turn on. IonW software will show the linking and update it’s own database and device status.
Linking a device with software
– Enter a device ID, Group number and click the Join/Create Group button. The device ID will be printed on the Insteon device. The group number is used for organising insteon devices into computer control groups. Any group number from 0 to 250 is valid.
Linking with device discovery (crawling)
– After an Insteon device has been linked to the PLM and is then also seen by IonW 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.
- Device Discovery -
If a device is moved to a computer group before the device links are read by the software, a group link is created for the computer group. When the device links have been read before moving to or creating a computer group, the device link list is checked for an existing link for this group. If an existing link for this computer group exists, a new duplicate link is not created. Understanding this is insight for occasional duplicate links found in a device link list. Edit and or deleted device links from the device setup TAB.
Device discovery requires sending and receiving information from Insteon devices over the power line network. Insteon traffic on the power lines during device setup, can cause errors and the IonW software will attempt to refresh the information. From ‘Device Setup’ TAB, a right click menu of options is available to obtain device readings. The IonW software will take time between device updates so as to help keep the power line protocol usage less busy.
RemoteLinc – USE DIM BUTTON FOR LINKING/SETUP - When Linking devices to RemoteLinc using IonW software, PRESS and hold DIM BUTTON for 1 second. Reason, until the RemoteLinc button contains at least 1 link, it will not send a command. The DIM BUTTON will send its DIM COMMAND anytime it is pressed. The RemoteLinc needs to send -something-, to be seen on the Insteon Network, so the IonW software can effectively process the linking.
Creating Computer Groups
Click on any device ID in the “Discovery Group” folder. The device ID will fill the edit boxes shown above.
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.
Click the “Link device to PLM group” button. The device is now listed in the PLM all-link database (ALDB). Labels can edited from the Tree Control.
IonW software will record linking events as they are seen to occur. After IonW software has recorded a device ID, it is ready to learn more from the device. IonW software will read device type and record for permanent storage. IonW for Windows keeps a data file in its installation folder. This is the only file IonW for Windows installs or creates.
IonW – PLM 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 IonW 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.
Time Events
The Time Events menu pictured above, provides around the clock control over Insteon devices.
The Time Events menu pictured above, provides around the clock control over Insteon devices.
1) Select Device – Click to select an Insteon device.
2) Set time – Choose either Hour/Minute, or Sunrise/Sunset.
A) Hour/Minute – Use the slider controls to select hour/minute for this event.
B) Sunrise/Sunset – Option for Pre or Post Delay in minutes is available.
3) Choose days of week for this event.
4) Choose function On or OFF. On function has On Level selection for dimmers. Switches ignore the On Level.
Example turn landscape lights on 30 minutes after sunset. Off 30 minutes before sunrise.
Options Menu
Select the time zone and enter Latitude and Longitude.
Latitude and Longitude can cut and pasted off the Internet. A search for Latitude Longitude for St Paul MN is a good search expression.
Logic Events
- Alert Lighting - Lights responding to motion and times of day is common place. IonW Logic events coupled with Insteon devices provide more flexible options for control. I like to turn my wall and step lights onto 50%, 30 minutes after sunset. When motion on the driveway or step area is detected, a Logic Event dims the wall and step lights to 100%. When the motions sensor sends it’s off command, a Logic Event dims the wall and step lights back to 50%. It lets visitors see they been noticed and is good way turn burglars around before they get to the house. An old X10 chime works well with this senario.
Troubleshooting
PLM Not Found:
Windows XP #2412U may require installing USB drivers downloadable 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.