Insteon ISY-26 Ethernet Controller (by Universal Devices)
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:06 pm
This plugin allows two-way control, including event monitoring, of your Insteon network via an ISY-26 controll by Universal Devices. You can check out the device at http://www.universal-devices.com/
I purchased one of these about 6 months ago, and while it's a great little piece of hardware, the software has been extremely lacking - basically using a heavy and proprietary Java-based interface. Recent updates to their firmware included some support for "Web Services" so after a couple months of working with it and some wonderful help from the folks on their forums, I was able to get it working nicely with a plugin to Eventghost. Their API is only loosely a "web services" interface and it does require some squirrelly and bizarre things like holding open a port that's receiving HTTP-based notifications, but hopefully they'll get better and make things easier on me next time. =)
You simply install the plugin, and give it the address and port of your ISY as well as the username/password. It will then receive updates whenever device status changes for any Insteon gizmo. You can also send commands to turn on/off, dim, and all the other features you'd expect.
This is a relatively early release - I'm currently only monitoring Status messages on the Insteon side (there are other messages that aren't very reliable and the devs say are going away), and if you want to send commands you'll need to enter the command (no fancy dropdowns yet). This is all based off of their current 2.6.4 beta firmware drop, and as they get more solid, so will my plugin.
The ISY is the bridge between my complex control system and the Insteon, so this is a critical piece for me. I'm hoping to run across another ISY+Eventghost user who can give me some feedback.
Stay tuned for more kingtd plugins soon - my VMC plugin, an updated HK plugin, and a unified network broadcast send/receiver are all nearly complete.
~K
I purchased one of these about 6 months ago, and while it's a great little piece of hardware, the software has been extremely lacking - basically using a heavy and proprietary Java-based interface. Recent updates to their firmware included some support for "Web Services" so after a couple months of working with it and some wonderful help from the folks on their forums, I was able to get it working nicely with a plugin to Eventghost. Their API is only loosely a "web services" interface and it does require some squirrelly and bizarre things like holding open a port that's receiving HTTP-based notifications, but hopefully they'll get better and make things easier on me next time. =)
You simply install the plugin, and give it the address and port of your ISY as well as the username/password. It will then receive updates whenever device status changes for any Insteon gizmo. You can also send commands to turn on/off, dim, and all the other features you'd expect.
This is a relatively early release - I'm currently only monitoring Status messages on the Insteon side (there are other messages that aren't very reliable and the devs say are going away), and if you want to send commands you'll need to enter the command (no fancy dropdowns yet). This is all based off of their current 2.6.4 beta firmware drop, and as they get more solid, so will my plugin.
The ISY is the bridge between my complex control system and the Insteon, so this is a critical piece for me. I'm hoping to run across another ISY+Eventghost user who can give me some feedback.
Stay tuned for more kingtd plugins soon - my VMC plugin, an updated HK plugin, and a unified network broadcast send/receiver are all nearly complete.
~K