Suggested settings when poor Insteon communication between the hub and devices?

[Takoateli]

Are there any suggested settings to use when having poor Insteon communication between the hub and devices?

Is there a suggested setting for retries?

How about response timeout?

Or Failed Poll Threshold or Failed Tx Threshold?

I'm assuming Debounce Time (ms) is for physical switches.

[mrceolla]

I can't provide great insight into those specific questions, but I can say from experience you would likely benefit greatly from determining the cause of the poor communication and rectifying that.

My current settings are:

Max Hops: 4
Retries: 5
Timeout: 3

[mnsandler]

Are there any suggested settings to use when having poor Insteon communication between the hub and devices?

Is there a suggested setting for retries?

How about response timeout?

Or Failed Poll Threshold or Failed Tx Threshold?

I'm assuming Debounce Time (ms) is for physical switches.

can you define poor performance?

what do your stats look like? post a pic from the plugin Devices page

do you see any errors in the hs log?

[Takoateli]

Here's one device I have trouble controlling

[Takoateli]

These are the only errors I see


5/25/2022 9:26:23 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

5/25/2022 9:15:48 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

5/25/2022 9:15:00 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

5/25/2022 9:14:10 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

5/25/2022 9:14:00 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

5/25/2022 9:13:47 PM
HomeSeer Updater
Error
Copying source to C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe, detailed error: The process cannot access the file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\HSPI_Insteon.exe' because it is being used by another process.

[Takoateli]

43

0

i1

100% (1 failed out of 275 cmds)

116

2

166

Good

[Takoateli]

I just tested again and got different results

[mnsandler]

the logged errors only occur when you try to install a plugin update and hs4 needs to be rebooted first. no worries there.

the comm stats look okay

you can run it on several devices at once and compare the results of other devices physically located near the one in question

[Takoateli]

According to the numbers the communication looks good, but I am having issues where I have to run an event multiple times to get all of the lights to respond.
My understanding is that unless I put the switches into the pairing mode and pair them to the hub they are only working singleband through the wiring. They're not doing the RF communication.

Most of the devices are spaced pretty far apart so I'm not sure how much RF communication would help if enabled, but I would imagine it could only help.

Is that correct?

[mnsandler]

My understanding is that unless I put the switches into the pairing mode and pair them to the hub they are only working singleband through the wiring. They're not doing the RF communication.

This is not true. you just need to add the device via the plugin. insteon takes care of powerline and RF comm internally. you have no control over that.

post a pic of your event with the devices you are trying to control

[Takoateli]

Thank you! When the event runs the devices status indicator changes state but the device does not change state.

Does this tell you anything?

Insteon Plug-in Error Log Generated 5/27/2022 8:01:15 AM
-----------*Error Message*----------------
Error: Forced Error / log generation -- 5/27/2022 8:01:15 AM
--------*Initialization Log*--------------
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Enter Initialize
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Host System: 192.168.1.99 running v4.2.12.0
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Plugin: Insteon.DLL - v4.0.3.0
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Plugin HSPI_Insteon.exe version: 4.0.3.0
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Insteon Support library (Insteon.dll) version: 1.4.3.0
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Initialize StartupReport Completed
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Enter InitPlugin
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Global initialization Of plug-In required, starting up.
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - In ProcessRawReceiveThread
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Initializing Insteon hardware Interface...
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Scheduled polling enabled.
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Initializing Interface...
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - PLMBuffer_ProcessBufferThread Enter
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Sending command 02 60 to Interface, (Expecting 6 bytes extra back) Pre-Payload ACK:False, NAK is ok:False
5/27/2022 7:56:00 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:01 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/3?0260=I=3
5/27/2022 7:56:02 AM - ..My XML buffer: 02604A8EF10333A506000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000012
5/27/2022 7:56:02 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:02 AM - ..Got Interface Response 02 60 4A 8E F1 03 33 A5 06
5/27/2022 7:56:02 AM - PLMBuffer_Clean - Cleared 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 to locate next possible STX
5/27/2022 7:56:02 AM - Sending command 02 60 to Interface, (Expecting 6 bytes extra back) Pre-Payload ACK:False, NAK is ok:False
5/27/2022 7:56:03 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/3?0260=I=3
5/27/2022 7:56:04 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:06 AM - ..did not receive a response from the Interface
5/27/2022 7:56:06 AM - ..Retry Home required. Pausing 250ms for Interface to clear...
5/27/2022 7:56:06 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/3?0260=I=3
5/27/2022 7:56:06 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:09 AM - ..did not receive a response from the Interface
5/27/2022 7:56:09 AM - ..Retry Forum required. Pausing 300ms for Interface to clear...
5/27/2022 7:56:09 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/3?0260=I=3
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - ..My XML buffer: 02604A8EF10333A506000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000012
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - PLMBuffer_Clean - Cleared 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 12 to locate next possible STX
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - ..Got Interface Response 02 60 4A 8E F1 03 33 A5 06
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - Hub contacted on 192.168.1.120:25105 with an Insteon address of 4A.8E.F1 and firmware version A5
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - ResourceManager::RequestExclusive for Resource 1
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - ResourceManager::RequestExclusive acquired for Resource 1
5/27/2022 7:56:10 AM - Sending command 02 6B 48 to Hub, (Expecting 0 bytes extra back) Pre-Payload ACK:False, NAK is ok:False
5/27/2022 7:56:11 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/3?026B48=I=3
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - ..My XML buffer: 026B4806
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Sending http://192.168.1.120:25105/1?XB=M=1
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - ..Got Hub Response 02 6B 48 06
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - ResourceManager::ReleaseExclusive for Resource 1
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Insteon hardware Interface initialized.
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - I/O (Insteon Protocol) Interface Initializing...
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Scheduled polling resumed.
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - I/O(Insteon Protocol) Interface Initialized.
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Waiting to initialize External Devices...
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Exit InitPlugin
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - In TransmitMessageThread
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Note: External device support script does not exist in the HomeSeer scripts directory.
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - External Device Registration complete.
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Registering Basic settings page
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Registering Advanced settings page
5/27/2022 7:56:12 AM - Reloading 1 Insteon group information tables...
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - 1 matching HS device records were found and updated for the Insteon group database.
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - In CreateDevices
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Scheduled polling temporarily stopped.
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Reloading 14 Insteon device information tables...
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - 14 Matching HS device records were found and updated for the Insteon device database.
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Scheduled polling resumed.
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Exit CreateDevices
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Validating the Insteon plugin device that hold the insteon.ini contents
5/27/2022 7:56:13 AM - Exit Initialize

-----------*Pre-Error Log*----------------
5/27/2022 7:56:14 AM - Generic Event Raised: Ready for Registration
5/27/2022 7:56:23 AM - Saved ini file. msecs=46
5/27/2022 8:01:12 AM - Saving comm stats...
5/27/2022 8:01:12 AM - ..finished saving comm stats.
--------*End Pre-Error Log*--------------
--------*Start C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\Config\Insteon.ini*--------------
[Config]
DoCleanups=1
HS3EventsMigrated=1
HS3X10Migrated=1
HubPassword=xxxxxxxxxxxxxx== (I masked this)
HubUsername=xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (I masked this)
InterfaceCapability=5
InterfacePort=192.168.1.120:25105
MaxHops=3
NumDevices=14
NumGroups=1
NumInterfaceLinks=46
NumRetries=25
RecreateDevices=0
WaitTimeout=5
X10Enabled=0
[Device 1]
DatabaseDelta=8
DeviceID=14.ED.60
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Backyard
DeviceType=0206
EEValues=LEDBrightness=15,OpFlags1=0
FailedInteractions=2
FirmwareVer=41
HopData=76,36,2,38
LastContact=5/15/2022 6:25:32 PM
Link 1=A2 00 4A 8E F1 00 00 00 10
Link 2=A2 10 4A 8E F1 FF 00 00 11
Link 3=A2 13 4A 8E F1 FF 00 00 12
Link 4=E2 01 4A 8E F1 00 00 01 13
Link 5=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 14
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=5
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=8
TotalInteractions=88
[Device 10]
DatabaseDelta=1
DeviceID=47.B8.13
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Living Room Lightds
DeviceType=0238
EEValues=LEDBrightness=15,OpFlags1=66
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=43
HopData=69,66,3,0
LastContact=5/15/2022 8:43:49 PM
Link 1=A2 00 4A 8E F1 FF 00 00 1
Link 2=E2 01 4A 8E F1 03 00 00 2
Link 3=A2 10 4A 8E F1 FF 00 00 3
Link 4=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 4
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=4
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=1
TotalInteractions=73
[Device 11]
DatabaseDelta=22
DeviceID=49.FD.F6
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Waterfall
DeviceType=021A
FailedInteractions=3
FirmwareVer=41
HopData=239,108,3,128
LastContact=5/16/2022 10:42:57 AM
Link 1=E2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 17
Link 2=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 18
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=2
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=22
TotalInteractions=225
[Device 12]
DatabaseDelta=16
DeviceID=54.B3.B6
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Back Waterfall
DeviceType=0238
FailedInteractions=1
FirmwareVer=43
HopData=354,179,9,166
LastContact=5/15/2022 9:47:46 PM
Link 1=E2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 17
Link 2=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 18
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=2
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=16
TotalInteractions=364
[Device 13]
DatabaseDelta=28
DeviceID=08.29.63
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Tree House
DeviceType=0209
FailedInteractions=3
FirmwareVer=28
HopData=334,166,4,164
LastContact=5/15/2022 10:29:00 PM
Link 1=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 20
Link 2=A2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 21
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=2
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=28
TotalInteractions=337
[Device 14]
DatabaseDelta=10
DeviceID=47.B8.DD
DeviceLocation=Kitchen
DeviceName=Kitchen Table Light
DeviceType=0238
EEValues=LEDBrightness=15,OpFlags1=66
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=43
HopData=80,80,0,0
LastContact=5/25/2022 9:54:51 PM
Link 1=E2 01 4A 8E F1 00 00 01 8
Link 2=A2 00 4A 8E F1 00 00 00 9
Link 3=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 10
Link 4=A2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 11
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=4
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=10
TotalInteractions=68
[Device 2]
DatabaseDelta=25
DeviceID=09.F8.D6
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Cottage Closet Switch
DeviceType=020A
FailedInteractions=6
FirmwareVer=2C
HopData=237,138,8,91
LastContact=5/15/2022 6:42:03 PM
Link 1=E2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 13
Link 2=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 14
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=2
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=25
TotalInteractions=250
[Device 3]
DatabaseDelta=2
DeviceID=20.71.B1
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Cottage Down Light
DeviceType=022A
EEValues=LEDBrightness=63,OpFlags1=0
FailedInteractions=14
FirmwareVer=42
HopData=212,166,11,35
LastContact=5/16/2022 3:01:51 AM
Link 1=AA 00 4A 8E F1 00 1C 01 10
Link 2=F2 01 4A 8E F1 03 1C 01 11
Link 3=E2 01 4A 8E F1 00 00 01 14
Link 4=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 15
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=4
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=2
TotalInteractions=131
[Device 4]
DatabaseDelta=45
DeviceID=09.F8.C6
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=End Room Down Light
DeviceType=020A
FailedInteractions=5
FirmwareVer=2C
HopData=182,163,11,8
LastContact=5/15/2022 7:07:59 PM
Link 1=A2 00 4A 8E F1 FE 1F 00 7
Link 2=E2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 9
Link 3=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 10
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=3
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=45
TotalInteractions=195
[Device 5]
DatabaseDelta=27
DeviceID=0B.BC.65
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Front Controller
DeviceType=020A
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=2C
HopData=236,231,4,1
LastContact=5/21/2022 2:15:06 AM
Link 1=A2 00 4A 8E F1 FE 1F 00 11
Link 2=E2 01 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 13
Link 3=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 14
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=3
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=27
TotalInteractions=239
[Device 6]
DatabaseDelta=5
DeviceID=20.7F.F5
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Front Door Light
DeviceType=022A
EEValues=LEDBrightness=63,OpFlags1=0
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=42
HopData=95,95,0,0
LastContact=5/15/2022 7:34:46 PM
Link 1=AA 00 4A 8E F1 00 1C 01 2
Link 2=EA 01 4A 8E F1 03 1C 01 3
Link 3=E2 01 4A 8E F1 00 00 01 6
Link 4=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 7
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=4
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=5
TotalInteractions=84
[Device 7]
DatabaseDelta=21
DeviceID=08.2B.D8
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Hall Picture Light
DeviceType=0209
FailedInteractions=1
FirmwareVer=28
HopData=131,124,5,2
LastContact=5/15/2022 7:38:45 PM
Link 1=A2 00 4A 8E F1 FE 1F 00 4
Link 2=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 6
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=2
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=1
RecentDatabaseDelta=21
TotalInteractions=151
[Device 8]
DatabaseDelta=2
DeviceID=50.CE.1B
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Moon Lights
DeviceType=022A
EEValues=LEDBrightness=63,OpFlags1=0
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=45
HopData=31,31,0,0
LastContact=5/15/2022 8:20:57 PM
Link 1=AA 00 4A 8E F1 FF 1C 01 1
Link 2=EA 01 4A 8E F1 03 1C 01 2
Link 3=AA 16 4A 8E F1 FF 1C 01 3
Link 4=E2 01 4A 8E F1 00 00 01 4
Link 5=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 5
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=5
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=2
TotalInteractions=21
[Device 9]
DatabaseDelta=1
DeviceID=51.1E.E6
DeviceLocation
DeviceName=Front Light Where?
DeviceType=022A
EEValues=LEDBrightness=63,OpFlags1=34
FailedInteractions=0
FirmwareVer=45
HopData=66,66,0,0
LastContact=5/15/2022 8:39:21 PM
Link 1=AA 00 4A 8E F1 00 1C 01 1
Link 2=E2 01 4A 8E F1 03 1C 01 2
Link 3=A2 FE 4A 8E F1 FF 1F 01 3
LinksDownloaded=1
NumLinks=3
PollingInterval=0
Protocol=3
RecentDatabaseDelta=1
TotalInteractions=72
[Group 1]
GroupLocation
GroupName=Outside Lights
GroupNum=1
NumParticipants=11
Participants=08.29.63:1,100,31,08.2B.D8:1,100,31,09.F8.C6:1, 100,31,09.F8.D6:1,100,31,0B.BC.65:1,100,31,14.ED.60:1,100,31 ,20.71.B1:1,100,31,20.7F.F5:1,100,31,47.B8.13:1,100,31,47.B8 .DD:1,100,31,51.1E.E6:1,100,31
[Settings]
HubUsername= xxxxxxxxx (I masked this)
--------*End C:\Program Files (x86)\HomeSeer HS4\Config\Insteon.ini*--------------

[mnsandler]

create a plugin Group to control all those devices at once. it more efficient on the network.

[Takoateli]

Thanks. Any reason why the device does not respond but its icon changes? It shows that it responded but it didn’t.

Would you suggest having the setting about “group command clean up” on or off?

[Takoateli]

Thank you sir! I went ahead and deleted all of my events that had multiple individual devices, and made new events that use a group.

At first I was having problems controlling devices but then I removed everybody from the group and added them all back and now it’s working perfectly.

[mnsandler]

Thanks. Any reason why the device does not respond but its icon changes? It shows that it responded but it didn’t.

Would you suggest having the setting about “group command clean up” on or off?

group cleanup should be on by default. a device may not respond for several reasons: bad links, noise/comm issues, etc

please see the troubleshooting page (start at step 3). i need a detailed log of what is happening. there are instructions for posting the hs log

https://forums.homeseer.com/forum/hs...in#post1547383