[12.04] OpenZWave Aeon ZStick Issue

[phenigma]

Hey tompin2, it is possible to add nodes without pulling the stick.  The recommended method is with the Aeon Labs minimote (works great).  But you can also manually initiate the add from the webadmin and then pair the device.  OZW does still have quite a few issues in it, it will continue to get better and we will continue to update the driver as the OZW folks push new releases.

I had to completely relocate my zstick for OZW to be happy with my network.  The OZW folks also recommend running the stick from a powered hub, presumeably to avoid power glitches or something (I'm not sure).

J.

[sambuca]

tompin2,

when the lockup happens, try to unplug and replug the usb dongle - that is the simples way I have found to fix the problem once it has occured.

To prevent it from happening in the first place, a good zwave network and a powered usb hub, as phenigma also mentioned, is the key. (one or the other might do it for you - I did both and have not had any major problem since). See our zwave page for information about troubleshooting the zwave network.

br,
sambuca

[tompin2]

Thanks sambuca  and Phenigma,

For testing purpose I added with the stick removed (like before) just one dimmer close to the core.  Installed the USB, passed the lock up by removing and adding again.
I did not saw any on the orbiters but I did saw on the webadmin that a light was added.  I configure it and assigned to the proper room and it is responding fast and stable.
So, I'm not removing that USB ever again from the core.  I ordered the minimote as Phenigma suggested, so Ill take some time to get here, so here is my question.. How to add the node manually?
Do I go to webadmin, core devices, find zwave evice, click on send command to device, add node and leave all blank, but will the usb stick reach a switch that is far away?, I don't think that it will happen.  So how do I know the port/channel number of the other devices I want to add?

Cheers,
T

tompin2,

when the lockup happens, try to unplug and replug the usb dongle - that is the simples way I have found to fix the problem once it has occured.

To prevent it from happening in the first place, a good zwave network and a powered usb hub, as phenigma also mentioned, is the key. (one or the other might do it for you - I did both and have not had any major problem since). See our zwave page for information about troubleshooting the zwave network.

br,
sambuca

[sambuca]

You can add a node manually using the description you wrote or from the Advanced ZWave page (under the Automation menu in the web-admin). There is no need to know the port/channel number, these are assigned by the controller when you add a new device.

br, sambuca

[tompin2]

Dear All!  Minimote was the solution for adding nodes.
Step by Step:
1. Reset Controller as per wiki page
2. In my case, pull the stick and join the minimote the normal way (press on the minimote the Join button, blue led starts flashing, then press the add node on the stick and they do their flashing led show letting you know that the connection was properly.  Get the stick back in.
3. Router reload.  If it says that the controller is not responding. Kill the zwave app that it eating 100% cpu and Router reload!.
4.  Go to the closest light switch and add it with the MINIMOTE, by pressing the + button.  Press the paddle of the light switch, wait for a steady blue led on the minimote and and pay attention on any of the orbiters.  If not, just give it some time and to a.
5. Router Reload, on the router reload you will see that a zwave item was found and it ill install it.  There will  be nothing else.  Either you go to the setup link under any orbiter or via webmin to set up the type of light you have and on which room it belongs.

You dont have to do lights one by one.  I decided for testing purpose only to do at least 3 and test them using the webadmin/ wizard/ lights and on and off to make sure.
Later I added them in groups for a total of 10 right now.  A mix of dimmers, single switch and multiswitch.
.
Problem faced:  After adding all the switches, the light are unresponsive!.  I guess I'm facing a zwave network issue.  I try to go to the advance zwave page but consistently a layer is set with one of the nodes that does not allow me to see the page, I cant find the way to make that ge switch window to go away .  See picture attached
I would like to see how the nodes are connected, maybe the routes are not correct.  See that there is one of the nodes that is not responding.

Cheers,
T

[phenigma]

Good news!  For the info screen I click on the title and the window goes away.  It's a little finicky I've found, and I've only got it working in Firefox, never had it work in chrome.

J.

[tompin2]

Good news!  For the info screen I click on the title and the window goes away.  It's a little finicky I've found, and I've only got it working in Firefox, never had it work in chrome.

J.

Phenigma!, you are a Lmce god!.  Firefox made the trick!.  It loaded perfectly, so just to share, this behavior of the persistent layer is only present in Chrome and Explorer.
I will continue with the troubleshooting, find attached my network pattern.  More or less distributed the way they are installed.  Pay attention that port 14 and 13 are connecting to the network using 8.  14 and 13 are a dual circuit switch so maybe something is wrong with 8 not communicating properly, but I would like to know why it is not using the route directly to 1 since is quite close. 

Cheers,

T

[phenigma]

I'm glad I could help initially, unfortunately I am not a zwave guru.  First thing would be to bring up the pop-up on the red devices and choose 'Test'.  That usually restores a dead node, although I think that may be done automatically at certain intervals now, I don't recall for sure.  Sambuca may be able to offer better insights into that.

J.

[sambuca]

Yes, it should try to revive dead nodes automatically now, but it is kind of an experiment really.
If it improves things, great, but it could also introduce additional delays.

br,
sambuca

[tompin2]

Hello to All,

This is a follow up, it took me some time to get back to trying stuff.
I finally got things working and learning from the mistakes and also from the lack of experience! aka Rookie!
Problems faced:
Zstick issue with openZWave still gets 100% cpu if you unplug it and plug it again for lights searching, so if you want to get it all working without many issues. GET the MINIMOTE!
So first:
Go to each switch with the stick and the minimote an be sure they are not connected, so remove them from the network.
Otherwise, you will face two lights going on at the same time because they have the same ID on the network (happened to me).  So go ahead and remove every single switch with the stick and the minimote too, just to be sure !
After you do that, then plug the zstick on the core, to the ResetController magic, follow the wiki procedure and add the minimote.
Plugging the zstick to a powerded usb hub, DOES help!. Don't cut that corner.
Once you see on the orbiter that a new zwave device is connected (minimote) and you see it at the core devices as controller, you are almost done.
In my case, after adding all the switches, I only saw the pop up on the orbiter that a new devices was added, nothing else happened.  I had to quick reload, and wait to really finish installing and then go to the setup wizard and go to lights, you will see the new light or lights added.
So far I have successfully added:
Single light switch, dual load switch (leviton vrcs2 2 buttons), dimmer switches also.

What is next?
Motion sensors
Kwikset locks
garage door opener and whatever zwave gadget i can!

Cheers,

T

[davegravy]

What is next?
Motion sensors
Kwikset locks
garage door opener and whatever zwave gadget i can!

Let us know how it goes with the Kwikset - I've been eyeing these for a while but support hasn't been there.

[rebelkiller]

Im using ZStick, too.

You must disable polling! Device gets stuck from time to time. Especially when it has to deal with a lot of messages it will get stuck. Plugging out an plugging in helps (mostly).

Aeon support recommends a maximum of 1 per minute (!).