Question about Latency

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

I started out with Control4 professional install - 2 years ago. Control4 interface was ugly and the software extremely unfriendly. I started to change over to Homeseer about 3-4 months ago and have been having great success. I have been slowly converting over the Control4 devices to Homeseer - migrating from one end of my house to the other (to avoid hiccups). I have noticed increased latency when triggering some events and some events just not triggering.

- I have run optimization from the z-troller (not from the individual nodes) and it doesn't seem to have a big impact.
- the distance between any two devices is very short (longest gap is a flight of stairs).
- currently have 40-ish nodes (primarily Homeseer switches and dimmers)
- The polling interval has not been changed from the default setting

Question
- would adding a second/third HomeTroller improve the communication/latency?
- Should I optimize the individual nodes?
- How does one go about interrogating the z-net to find the problems?

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

Been playing around
- randomly picked one node (in the middle of the house)
- did an Audit of the node from the z-wave tab

Auditing node 51 (Main Pantry Pantry Lights) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Poor with 0 neighbors.
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

- That's the message I get from the audit
- This node has at least 5 neighbors (there are two in the gang box) within 3 feet.

- I have run a Optimize and Full Optimize and still get the same audit response.

Does this seem right?

[zwolfpack]

That doesn't seem right. I picked a few nodes and they all look similar to this

[COLOR=#000080][FONT=Tahoma][B]Auditing node 9 (Lighting Living Room Entryway Light) ...[/B][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]The node's neighbor rating is: Excellent with 16 neighbors.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]Neighboring nodes to Lighting Living Room Entryway Light:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      HomeSeer (Node 1)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Kitchen Overhead Lights (Node 2)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Master Bedroom Overhead Lights (Node 3)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Hallway Overhead Lights (Node 4)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Access Control Garage Rollup Door Root (Node 5)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Master Bathroom Overhead Lights (Node 6)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Master Bathroom Vanity Light (Node 7)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Front Porch Exterior Light (Node 8)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Kitchen Counter Lights (Node 10)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Office Desk Lights (Node 11)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Living Room Overhead Lights (Node 12)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Storage Room Overhead Light (Node 13)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Guest Room Overhead Light (Node 14)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Front Room Overhead Light (Node 15)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Garage Overhead Lights (Node 16)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]      Lighting Living Room Christmas Tree (Node 22)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]This node supports associations on the following groups:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]      Group 1:[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#008000][FONT=Tahoma]            HomeSeer (Node 1)[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma]      Group 255 - No nodes are associated to this group.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[B]Finished![/B][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Tahoma] [/FONT][/COLOR]

What does the Node Information page (Plugins->Z-Wave->Node Information) show? Note that the "Neighbors" field matches what the audit reports.

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

31

Full Name: Main Kitchen Overhead Lights

Polling: Polling Disabled

Manufacturer: HomeSeer Technologies LLC

Type: 0x4447

ID: 0x3036

Listens: Yes

Version: 4.61 (ZDK 6.71.1) Firmware: 5.14Hardware: 1

Neighbor Count: 1

Speed: 100Kbps

Neighbors: 48

Last Working Route: 3->8->48 (100K)

Set Route:

Uses Interface: Homeseer Z-NET (1)

Basic Type: ROUTING SLAVE, Generic Type: SWITCH MULTILEVEL, Specific Type: POWER SWITCH MULTILEVEL

Command Classes: Supported: Zwaveplus Info, Version, Association, Association Grp Info, Transport Service, Manufacturer Specific, Device Reset Locally, Powerlevel, Switch Multilevel(V 4), Switch All, Configuration, Central Scene(V 3), Scene Actuator Conf, Scene Activation, Security 2, Supervision, Firmware Update Md Controlled: Central Scene(Ver 3)

Child Device: Overhead Lights - Central Scene

CC: Central Scene Ver: 3

Polling: Polling Disabled

Child Device: Overhead Lights

CC: Switch Multilevel Ver: 4

Polling: Polling Disabled

Auditing node 31 (Main Kitchen Overhead Lights) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Poor with 1 neighbor.
Neighboring nodes to Main Kitchen Overhead Lights:
Main Front Door Front Closet Lights (Node 48)
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

30

Full Name: Main Great Room Overhead Cans

Polling: Polling Disabled

Manufacturer: HomeSeer Technologies LLC

Type: 0x4447

ID: 0x3036

Listens: Yes

Version: 4.61 (ZDK 6.71.1) Firmware: 5.14Hardware: 1

Neighbor Count: 8

Speed: 100Kbps

Neighbors: 11, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 48, 59

Last Working Route: 3->62 (100K)

Set Route:

Uses Interface: Homeseer Z-NET (1)

Basic Type: ROUTING SLAVE, Generic Type: SWITCH MULTILEVEL, Specific Type: POWER SWITCH MULTILEVEL

Command Classes: Supported: Zwaveplus Info, Version, Association, Association Grp Info, Transport Service, Manufacturer Specific, Device Reset Locally, Powerlevel, Switch Multilevel(V 4), Switch All, Configuration, Central Scene(V 3), Scene Actuator Conf, Scene Activation, Security 2, Supervision, Firmware Update Md Controlled: Central Scene(Ver 3)

Child Device: Overhead Lights - Central Scene

CC: Central Scene Ver: 3

Polling: Polling Disabled

Child Device: Overhead Cans

CC: Switch Multilevel Ver: 4

Polling: Polling Disabled

Auditing node 30 (Main Great Room Overhead Cans) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Poor with 8 neighbors.
Neighboring nodes to Main Great Room Overhead Cans:
Main Mudroom Mudroom Lights (Node 11)
Main Dining Room Chandelier (Node 35)
Main Office Office Hallway Lights (Node 36)
Main Great Room Great Room Sconces (Node 37)
Outside Backyard Main Balcony Lights (Node 39)
Outside Backyard Backyard Lights (Node 40)
Main Front Door Front Closet Lights (Node 48)
Master Suite Master Bedroom Bedroom Fan (Node 59)
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

- I have tried the majority of my nodes - and they all have a poor rating.
- Not quite sure what I need to do to change that
- These nodes are all within a few meters of each other

[zwolfpack]

And nothing changes after an optimize or full optimize of the node?

Do you have Z-Seer+ ? While not necessary, it might be handy. Its not too pricey.

You might consider resetting the Z-Wave database (from Plugins->Manage, click on Z-Wave, then click 'Reset Z-Wave Data'. You should backup the system prior to this.

On the Zee, the Z-Wave database resides at /usr/local/HomeSeer/Data/Z-Wave/Z-Wave2.db, so back that up at least.

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

I have the hometroller Zee S2
- I have run the full optimization from the z-wave controller multiple times - no change
- I have run the optimize from the individual node - no change

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

I changed the location of the Zee S2 - almost dead center of the house and re-ran the fully optimize command.
- no change - more neighbors, all with still poor neighbor rating
- the Hometroller is connect via ethernet

[BobSpen]

This may not change anything but I would turn off ALL polling on powered devices(you mentioned they were set at "default"). In general it just clogs up the z-wave system and makes it less responsive and is not necessary. Scan down your "Plugin/zwave/node information" and look for "polling disabled" on root and child devices.

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

The polling is off on all the powered devices. It seems to be the default setting for all the homeseer switches and dimmers.

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

I moved the Zee S2 to the center of the house
- re-ran the full optimize - no change
- restarted homeseer and many of the nodes are working very well
- I still have two nodes that have poor neighbors
- they are extremely close to the hub and they are both Homeseer switches

Auditing node 51 (Main Pantry Pantry Lights) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Poor with 5 neighbors.
Neighboring nodes to Main Pantry Pantry Lights:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Main Kitchen Breakfast Nook Lights (Node 16)
Main Kitchen Sink Lights (Node 29)
Main Kitchen Art Lights (Node 32)
Main Pantry Pantry Cabinet Lights (Node 44)
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

This node is probably 3 feet away from the Zee S2 and it is in the same gang box as the node below

Auditing node 44 (Main Pantry Pantry Cabinet Lights) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Excellent with 24 neighbors.
Neighboring nodes to Main Pantry Pantry Cabinet Lights:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Sensor Exercise Room Multilevel Sensor - Exercise Entry (Node 2)
Garage Exercise Room Cardio Lights (Node 3)
Controller Garage Entry Aeon Labs Repeater Slave (Node 8)
Controller Garage Entry Aeon Labs Repeater Slave (Node 9)
Garage Exercise Room GE smart plug (Node 10)
Main Mudroom Mudroom Lights (Node 11)
Main Kitchen Breakfast Nook Lights (Node 16)
Main Front Door Front Entry Lights (Node 17)
Main Dining Room Rope Lights (Node 20)
Main Kitchen Sink Lights (Node 29)
Main Kitchen Art Lights (Node 32)
Main Dining Room Chandelier (Node 35)
Main Office Office Hallway Lights (Node 36)
Main Great Room Great Room Sconces (Node 37)
Main Office Office Lights (Node 38)
Outside Backyard Main Balcony Lights (Node 39)
Outside Backyard Backyard Lights (Node 40)
Main Great Room Great Room Fan (Node 41)
Main Front Door Front Closet Lights (Node 48)
Main Pantry Pantry Lights (Node 51)
Master Suite Master Bathroom Shower (Node 54)
Master Suite Master Bathroom Bathroom Fan (Node 55)
Master Suite Master Bedroom Landing (Node 57)
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

Any suggestions?

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

This is a the second bad node in the area
Auditing node 31 (Main Kitchen Overhead Lights) ...

HomeSeer was able to send a frame to the node.
HomeSeer was able to query the node and receive information back from it.
The node's neighbor rating is: Poor with 6 neighbors.
Neighboring nodes to Main Kitchen Overhead Lights:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Main Kitchen Breakfast Nook Lights (Node 16)
Main Kitchen Sink Lights (Node 29)
Main Great Room Overhead Cans (Node 30)
Main Kitchen Art Lights (Node 32)
Master Suite Master Bedroom Landing (Node 57)
This node supports associations on the following groups:
Group 1:
Controller Z-Wave Homeseer Z-NET (Node 1)
Group 2 - No nodes are associated to this group.

Finished!

- It should have dozens of neighbors and a decent signal
- It's within arms length of the Zee S2 and within arms length of 6 homeseer switches and less than 15 feet from several more nodes

[zwolfpack]

I suppose its possible that some of the nodes are defective.

I ran through all my switches and the lowest rating was two nodes that reported "acceptable with 9 neighbors". One of these perhaps makes sense as it is one of the farthest from the controller, but the other one is maybe 8 feet from the controller and inches from two other nodes that report 15-16 neighbors. So that one is either weak or there is some sort of interference.

One thought - what type of electrical boxes do you have? Mine appear to be fiberglass. I imagine these would be better than the metal ones for this application.

[bills.hancock@gmail.com]

- All plastic boxes...both of the nodes are in multiple gang boxes and the other nodes are not having the problem
- If it's a bad node - wondering if I should re-pair the node with the system. Would hate to have to pull the whole node out and replace the switch.