Remotely Managing INSTEON Links and Scenes / Groups

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°, brighten the bedroom sconces to 75%, dim the bedroom overhead fixture down to 35%, turn off the hallway and bathroom lights.

example showing all the links defined by the RemoteLinc module "master bedroom remote"

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 Supports Remote Link Management column of the INSTEON module and Indigo 4 compatibility table for information on which modules Indigo can remotely manage.

You can also define Indigo initiated scenes to control multiple remote modules in unison. See the defining Indigo INSTEON scenes section for more information on this capability.

Responder Modules vs. Controller Modules

Every INSTEON module is either a responder module, a controller module or both:

Responder modules respond to incoming INSTEON commands by controlling a load (light or appliance), a thermostat setting, sprinkler valves, low-voltage relays, etc. Examples of responder modules include: LampLinc, ApplianceLinc, and the EZRain sprinkler controller.
Controller modules send outgoing INSTEON commands onto the power line or via RF to modules that are responders. Examples of controller modules include: RemoteLinc, ControLinc, and the PowerLinc computer interface.
Some modules are both responders and controllers. For example, a KeypadLinc can respond to a RemoteLinc but it can also control other modules, such as a LampLinc.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 press the Sync Changes Only button.

Manually Creating Links between Modules

In addition to using Indigo's remote link and scene management, you can also manually create the links physically at the devices themselves. Follow the instructions that came with the hardware for the exact steps, which usually involves creating the links by press-and-holding the set button or up paddles for 10 seconds on each module.

If you manually create or delete a link, then you must tell Indigo to re-sync those modules. This enables Indigo to read in the link changes, and is required for Indigo to accurately show the state of the modules as they change.