If you have the software the comes for the INSTEON devices, why would you need a ISY-99i?

[ghurty]

Beginner question:

If you have the software the comes for the INSTEON devices, why would you need a ISY-99i?

Is there a wiki/FAQ that covers the basic components of a HA system?


Thanks

 

[AlexCuster]

ghurty,

The ISY99 give you a web interface that can be used to control devices, and setup/trigger scenes. The ISY99 alows you to do all of this from any computer by hitting the IP address of the ISY locally or over a WAN using port forwarding. The ISY also enables you to use an app from your smartphone. Unlike the software package, there is no need to have special software or hardware installed on your computer to interface with the Insteon network. The ISY is also needed for integration with automation controllers such as an ELK.

I'm not sure if there is a FAQ for a general look at HA basics but if you can provide a bit of information explaining what kind of functionality you are looking to achieve I would be delighted to help you figure out what equipment best suits you.

 

[ghurty]

Isnt there PC software that does the same thing? (except for integrating with an ELK)

If you anyways will always have a PC running, cant you just use that?

Thanks

 

[ghurty]

Eventually (when I buy my own house), I would like to have fun and do the whole works.

But for right now, I am trying to control a few lights switches, so that I can set them to work on a schedule/remotely controlled.

Thanks

 

[apostolakisl]

Isnt there PC software that does the same thing? (except for integrating with an ELK)

If you anyways will always have a PC running, cant you just use that?

Thanks

Yes, you can do that.

ISY is just a small computer with it's hardware designed especially for the purpose of HA, specifically Insteon and a few other items. The "OS" is 100% dedicated to the purspoe in the form of the firmware. Because of its singularity of purpose in life and the fact that it was well designed, it works very well. Mine has never crashed. You never need a reboot. It uses very little electricity. Other applications don't mess with it (since there are none). No one is writing virus' for it. And so forth. It is also not any more expensive than many of the software applications and even cheaper than many. If you are serious about Insteon, there is no better controller IMO and I am far from alone in saying that. Plus, the support is vastly superior to any device I have ever owned in my life.

 

[ghurty]

Thank you for clarifying that.

Follow up question:

With INSTEON (and maybe UPB/z-wave) if you program a schedule, does your computer have to be on to monitor the schedule and tell the devices when to turn on/off, or once it is programmed the info resides in the device itself.


Thanks

 

[apostolakisl]

Some of the older Insteon PLC's had built in functionality like that. It was very limited and to the best of my knowledge you can't get them anymore.

So, in short, as far as Insteon, you need a controller (ISY or computer) to run schedules.

I think upb and zwave are the same, but I could be wrong.

 

[BLH]

The 2414U USB PLC is still available, but it is of an older design. Doesn't properly support Insteon Extended Messages.
Ken Miller's InHomeFre is still floating around and the link to the Smarthome Manager Essentials for the 2814U/2414U still works if you know the link.

I personally would not start out with a 2414U as it maybe near being discontinued.

 

[wuench]

You can get buy with just software if you want. But the thing with Insteon that is not true of X10, UPB, Zwave, etc that gets everyone is groups/scenes are not global to all devices they are local. By that I mean if you have a 2 switches and you want them to operate as a scene the same way no matter which one your press you actually have to create two scenes. One scene in each switch with that switch being the controller and the opposite as a responder. There is no "global" scene. It's a bit counterintuitive and as you build more and more scenes you'll see you have to do a LOT of "cross linking". Also if you end up needing two controllers, like your PC and an Elk you will have situations where your PC may trigger a scene but the Elk doesn't know the lights status or vice versa. Because the PC scene and the Elk scene are not the same scene.

So in short the ISY can be a central controller that the Elk can talk to, but they also do some "magic" programming under the hood to make it look like you are dealing with global scenes. Now there are other central controllers or software, but AFAIK they don't do this trick to simplify scenes. Nor do they integrate with the Elk directly.

I have tried a lot of them, Homeseer, CQC (native PLC driver), Powerhome, Houselinc. I have even written my own Insteon software in VB (which I don't recommend . I wrote a driver for the ISY for CQC, I have an Elk as well, and ISY is the absolute best solution I have found.