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inst_remote_device_links [2009/02/11 18:12] – jayinst_remote_device_links [2026/04/07 18:27] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +===== Remotely Managing Insteon Links and Scenes (Groups) =====
 +The Insteon specification allows devices to be linked together for various purposes. Generally, you want to link a responder (for instance, a light switch) to a controller (for instance, a RemoteLinc remote control), so that when a button is pressed on a controller, the light responds to the command. This linking may be done manually by following the directions that come with the devices or they may be managed in Indigo. We're going to focus on the latter.
 +
 +Scenes (or Groups - in Insteon terminology, they are the same) generally correspond to a button/switch/toggle on a controller. So, for instance, a RemoteLinc is capable of controlling 6 Scenes - one for each button (ALL ON/OFF and BRIGHT/DIM are special purpose buttons)and a ControLinc can control 5, etc.
 +
 +Indigo can remotely create and edit scenes (also called groups) between multiple remote modules. For example, you can use Indigo to remotely program button #1 on a RemoteLinc to: set the thermostat to 68°, turn off the bathroom light, brighten the bedroom sconces to 75%, dim the bedroom overhead fixture down to 35%, and turn off the hallway light.
 +
 +Indigo automatically creates the links to define the scene in most remote modules. This means you do not have to press-and-hold the set button or up paddle on most remote modules. Indigo will do it all remotely for you with a single press of the **Sync Now** button. See the  **Remote Insteon Linking** option on the detail page for any supported Insteon device linked from our [[http://www.indigodomo.com/devices/#insteon|Insteon Module compatibility]] table - that will indicate whether Indigo can remotely manage its links.
 +
 +You can also define Indigo initiated scenes to control multiple remote modules in unison. See [[inst_indigo_scenes|defining Indigo Insteon scenes]] for more information on this capability.
 +
 +This [[wiki:How-to level of difficulty]] is [[wiki:How-to level of difficulty#moderate|Moderate]].
 +
 +==== Defining the Scene between Modules ====
 +First, select the module you want to edit. You can choose to edit either the controller module in the scene (ex: RemoteLinc) or the responder module in the scene (ex: LampLinc).
 +
 +  - Choose ''**Manage Insteon Device Links...**'' from the ''**Interface**'' menu.
 +  - Select the module's device name to edit in the ''**Show links used by device**'' popup control.
 +
 +If the module you selected is a controller (RemoteLinc, KeypadLinc, SwitchLinc, etc.), then you can add or edit responders:
 +
 +  - If you want to add a new responder module to the scene, then press the ''**New Link to Responder**'' button. Or, if you want to change the settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.) of an existing responder module in the scene, then select that module's link in the table with the ''**Link to Responder Device**'' column title.
 +  - Choose the button or group number that identifies the scene you are defining in the controller (ex: RemoteLinc button #1) from the ''**broadcast of button/group number**'' popup control.
 +  - Choose the responder module's device name from the ''**responder**'' popup control (ex: LampLinc).
 +  - When responding to a scene command, most modules will control the main load (light or appliance) connected to that module. For these modules (SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc, etc.) you can specify the exact brightness you want for that module as well as a duration for how quickly the module should go to that brightness. Some modules will have different options. For example, when a KeypadLinc is responding to a scene command, it can turn one of the secondary button LEDs on instead of controlling the main load, or the thermostat module can respond to a scene command by changing both the thermostat operation mode and the current ''**cool**'' and ''**heat**'' setpoint temperatures.
 +  - Optionally turn on the ''**Persistent**'' checkbox to force this link to automatically be restored whenever either the responder module or controller module is synced. If the modules are ever reset, replaced, or have this link modified, then Indigo will automatically rewrite the original link on the next sync operation.
 +  - Repeat steps 1 through 5 for every new responder module that you want to add to the selected controller.
 +
 +If the module you selected is a responder (LampLinc, Thermostat Adapter, KeypadLinc, SwitchLinc, etc.), then you can add or edit controllers:
 +
 +  - If you want to add a controller of the selected responder module, then press the ''**New Link to Controller**'' button. Or, if you want to change the settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.) used by the selected module in a controller's scene, then select the controller module's link in the table with the ''**Link to Controller Device**'' column title.
 +  - Choose the controller module's device name from the ''**On controller**'' popup control (ex: RemoteLinc).
 +  - Choose the button or group number that identifies the controller scene for which you want the responder to listen (ex: RemoteLinc button #3) from the ''**broadcast of button/group number**'' popup control.
 +  - When responding to a scene command, most modules will control the main load (light or appliance) connected to that module. For these modules (SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc, etc.) you can specify the exact brightness you want for that module as well as a duration for how quickly the module should go to that brightness. Some modules will have different options. For example, when a KeypadLinc is responding to a scene command, it can turn one of the secondary button LEDs on instead of controlling the main load, or the thermostat module can respond to a scene command by changing both the thermostat operation mode and the current ''**cool**'' and ''**heat**'' setpoint temperatures.
 +  - Optionally turn on the ''**Persistent**'' checkbox to force this link to automatically be restored whenever either the responder module or controller module is synced. If the modules are ever reset, replaced, or have this link modified, then Indigo will automatically rewrite the original link on the next sync operation.
 +  - Repeat steps 1 through 5 for every new controller module you want to add for the selected responder.
 +
 +Last, have Indigo write all of your link changes to the remote modules:
 +
 +  * Press the Sync Now button to have Indigo immediately write all changed links to the remote modules.
 +
 +**OR**
 +
 +  * Press the Close (Sync Later) button to close the link editor window and write the changes to the modules at a later time. When you are ready to write the changes to the remote modules, select Start Sync Insteon Device Links... from the Interface menu, and then press the Sync Changes Only button.