The web-base configuration utility allows you to add/edit/remove zones and devices to your system. It's a simple utility which consists to two primary screens.
To access the configuration utility, use the web browser of your choice. But, please, use something other than Microsoft Internet Explorer! It will work just fine, but it may not look as nice. In the address bar, you'll have to type the address you registered with DynDNS. Alternatively, you could enter the IP address of your server if you know it. Or, finally, if using a browser (Firefox) on your home automation server, you can enter "localhost".
The first screen you'll see will ask you for your password. This is the password you chose when you installed the ALiAs configuration utility on your home automation server.
Zones are logical groups used encapsulate a set of devices within your system (house). You can choose how to group your devices -- whatever makes the most sense to you. I've grouped mine into two zones: Indoors and Outdoors. Below is a screenshot of what the configuration utility looks like for my system:
The first time you use the configuration utility, it will first build the necessary database schema. You'll then see an empty table -- you have to start by adding at least one zone. To do so, click on the button beneath the table that says, "Add Zone". You will be asked for a few details concerning how you would like to configure the zone:
- Zone name: Name your zones in whatever manner makes sense to you!
- Zone type: There is only one zone type available for now -- X10. It is intended/designed to group your X10 devices. The choice is provided to allow for future expandability.
- House Code: X10 devices are addressed by both house code and device number. To send a command to any device, you have to provide both. In my system, all of the outdoor lights are in given a house code of A and all the interior lights are given a house code of B. For example, to turn on the light over my kitchen table, I use the address B7. Setting a house code for an entire zone gives you the capability to turn on/off all the devices in the zone with a single button. Be aware that this requires a separate transceiver for each zone! If you only have a single zone or you wish to use different house codes within a single zone, you can leave this option blank.
Once you've entered the information, click on the "Submit" button. You will be taken back to the original screen, only now you should see the zone you just created! The "edit" button will allow you to change the information you just entered at any time.
There is also a "delete" button for each zone. This will allow you to delete the entire zone. Please exercise caution when using this button. It will delete the zone and all of the devices assigned to it! Clicking on the button will prompt you to confirm your decision. You've been warned!
Finally, there is a "devices" button for each zone that will take you to another screen which will allow you to view, add, edit and delete devices in the zone.
If you have more than one zone defined, you have the ability to drag and drop them so they appear in whatever order you choose. The order they appear in the configuration utility is the order in which they will appear when using the Android app.
Note: Any changes made to the configuration are not automatically propagated to the Android app in real time. The Android app will request the configuration from your home automation server when it is launched. If you make configuration changes which do not show up on the app, you can use the app's "Reload" option to force it to re-request the configuration.
Whereas zones are strictly logical groups, each device corresponds to a physical device in the system. Every X10 device is referenced by a house code and a device ID. These are controlled on the device by small circular switches that allow you to select both. When adding devices via the configuration utility, you need to know both the house code and ID of each device.
The device screen looks very similar to the zone screen. It will show you a list of devices for the zone you selected. As an example, here is my device screen for the Indoors zone:
However, after creating a new zone, this screen will just show a blank table. Just like you did above, you'll have to add devices using the "Add Device" button located below the table. Clicking on this button will prompt you for some information about the device you are attempting to add:
- Device name: You can name your devices in any manner which suites you!
- House code: The house code that you dialed into the device you're adding. Note: If you specified a house code for the zone in which you're adding a device, that house code will be the only one available for the devices being added to that zone.
- Device ID: The device ID that you dialed into the device you're adding.
- Dimmable: Some X10 switches allow you to dim the attached light. Some don't! If you check the box, the Android app will give you the ability to dim/brighten the device. If left unchecked, you will not be given this option in the Android app.
When you're finished entering the information, click on the "Submit" button. You'll be taken back to the device screen where you should see the device you just added. Clicking on the "edit" button will allow you to change the device's information. When editing a device, the house code will only allow you to select either the original house code of the device or, if the zone was edited and given a new house code, the new house code of the zone.
The "delete" button for each device will do exactly as you would expect -- delete the device! You will be prompted to confirm your decision before the device is actually deleted.
Finally, just as with the zones, you can drag and drop the devices so they appear in the order you define in the Android app.