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Installation issues / InsteonPLM driver problems

« on: January 12, 2009, 10:59:21 pm »

ok i have already created my Insteon PLM device and its correctly registered... my question here is how to run the InsteonPLM Driver? and I quote wiki's instructions but i just dont understand

Insteon Devices
Running for the first time

Initially, the driver needs at least ONE active lighting device. The driver will download this device's database and attempt to extract other Insteon ID's from it. Then it goes out and PINGS those devices in turn, to find out what kind of device they are. Once that is finished, it attempts to download each device's database, in turn, looking for more Insteon devices. This procedure, nicknamed 'Spidering', continues until all devices and device links are recognized. Once this 'Spider' is complete, the driver reports all detected devices, to LinuxMCE.
Running for the Second time

Once the devices have been added to LinuxMCE, they can now hold their configuration. Even though all the databases were downloaded during the first run, the devices themselves did not exist, and therefore, we can't store their configuration during the first run. This happens on the second run. You will now see a 'Configuration' field in each device. This holds the device's Type, Database Delta, and all ALDB records (the remote database) encoded into a long string.

If, at any time, you want to re-download a device's database, simple delete the configuration string. Upon next reload, the driver will go out and redownload the remote database.
Running after the first two times

Part of the configuration string is something called a DATABASE DELTA. It's basically a byte that increments each time the remote database is altered.

I store the Database Delta when I read the complete database. Then, upon router reloads, I ONLY read the database delta from the device. I compare that with the value stored in it's configuration, and if they are the same, I know I don't need to do any further downloads to that device.

This speeds up initialization dramatically. Sending 1 command vs sending 8 commands per record, and on average, more than 2 records.


    Currently, I cannot figure out how to call the Lighting Wizard. Ideally, this would run at this point to allow simple configuration of all the lighting devices.
    Alas, you'll have to use webAdmin to select Rooms and Floorplan Object Types. (don't forget this, it's important!)

Note: The Driver will automatically determine the type of device. If it's a Dimmer, it will assign it to Lighting Switch (dimmable). If it's a switched device(on/off), it will assign it to Lighting Device (ON/OFF). If it's a EZRain1 Sprinkler controller, it will assign it to an Irrigation device! (This may need some debugging)

Thanks!!