Communication objects
Create folders (e.g. lighting, heating) for the products, as well as the internal communication objects such as the EIB objects (group addresses) that are to be controlled by the HomeServer. The internal communication objects are not transmitted by the HomeServer to the EIB and serve in the first instance as auxiliary variables for comparison in the logic or for the control system in the HomeServer, etc. The EIB objects are termed external communication objects. To simplify matters, this information is termed by the HomeServer as (internal or external) communication objects. You can create your own objects or import them from the ETS (see Import). The number of these objects that you can create in the HomeServer depends on the amount of free memory in the HomeServer.

When required, the current values of internal communication objects remain intact after a restart of the HomeServer; there is an ID for this for each communication object - retentive memory.

EIB can be read out via the bus on a re-start.

To create an internal or external communication object, switch to the "Communication object" window. Select the menu item "Internal" or "EIB". Press the right mouse button. A pulldown menu opens. Select "Create object". To obtain a better overview, you can also sort several communication objects belonging to one area into folders. These can be created like communication objects.

EIB objects can be imported from an ETS print file or an OPC file using Import. To do this, press the "Import" button for EIB objects.
Functions of a click on the right mouse button within the tree structure (left)
The functions are available in the tree structure (left in the window) depending on the item marked (folders, communication object).
Function buttons in the header
Menu/Tools
Data
Designation
The object is kept under this name in the HomeServer Expert. The name is also used in the EIB monitor.
Data type
The data format of the object is set here. The following data formats are available:
Important note: Communication objects of data type 14 byte can contain up to 30,000 bytes (characters) within the HomeServer. The communication object is only limited to 14 bytes when sent to the EIB. If the 14-byte communication object is retentive then the size is limited to 1,000 bytes (characters) during storage.
Retentive
Yes: The communication object is retentive.

Comments: If this ID is used, then "Request on start" is not possible. Communication objects of type time, date or 4-bit (dim) can not be stored retentive (permanently).
Init. value:
This value is set on starting the HomeServers; decimal places are rounded up/down if applicable.
This value is set when the value is not read out from the EIB object via the bus, or can not be read out via the bus.
To ensure that the HomeServer reads the value from the EIB on start-up, the option
"Request on start" (see below) must be set in this communication object!
This value is used in the process image.
Min value, max value
These two values limit the writing of values by the HomeServer onto the EIB.
This area is independent of the value of the actuator/sensor on the EIB.
Among other things, errors in programming - which write smaller/larger values as intended into the object - can be globally suppressed by this.
The command
"Add constant" is always run; the minimum/maximum value is thereby not exceeded or fallen below.
Step size
This constant is used by a HomeServer command. The actuator can be increased or decreased by the constant using this command.
For example, a dimmer can be increased or decreased by 17%.
List
A list of values is gathered here.
The actuator is changed by the values set in the lists. e.g. "10,28,68,95"
These constants are addressed by a command.
In the previous example, a dimmer jumps from zero per cent to 10%, to 28%, etc.
If the dimmer is at 80% and the value is decreased in accordance to the list, then it assumes the value 68%.
Group address
The group address is determined here.
Two-digit or three-digit notation can be used.
A group address can only occur in a project once.
It must be unambiguous.
To separate the numbers, any non-numeral, e.g. an empty space, can be used.
Every non-numeral is thereby automatically converted to a "/".
Examples: 1/7 or 1/0/7

Internal communication objects only have one group address when they are to be recorded in the
EIB monitor.
The address space is hereby outside of the EIB address space. In this case, the "main group" is between 100 and 199.
Request on start
Yes: The HomeServer reads the value of the EIB object on a restart of the EIB.
Make sure that the read flag is set in the ETS.
Every EIB object that does not respond delays the start procedure by several seconds!
This object should be checked exactly as there is a high load to the bus during start-up.
(Refer also to
Project/EIB).
This option has consequences when forming the process image.

No: Standard setting

Comment: This ID can not be used together with the retentive ID!
Send on change
Yes: Sends the value of the actuator to the EIB, if this has changed in the HomeServer.
(Only when the "transfer flag" has been set in the HomeServer.).
This option is used to minimize the telegram load.
No: Standard setting
Sending the value is triggered by a command.

Comment: If this option is changed then the option
"Request on start" (see above) should also be used in the communication object. Many "misunderstandings" can therefore be avoided.
Read flag
Yes: The value can be read from the HomeServer by another EIB device.
No: standard setting
Transmit
Yes: Standard setting; All telegrams, that are generated by or via the HomeServer are sent on the bus.
No: No telegrams are sent by the HomeServer on the EIB.
Watch address
Every communication object can be assigned any amount of watch objects.
If this group address is changed on the bus or in the HS, then the value of the IEB object is requested on the bus.
Dim objects and switching objects on the brightness value of a dimmer, for instance, are entered here .

Background:
The watch objects were created due to the demand that the HS should display the correct brightness value (%) (i.e. the current status).
If then in a building with a push button sensor, a 1-bit or a 4-bit telegram is transmitted, the brightness value changes.
This however, is not updated by (older) dim actuators.
Switching and dimming is therefore attached to the brightness value, which is used for the display in the HS.
If something happens there, then the communication object (brightness value) is requested on the bus.

In modern dim actuators there is another possibility, as long as there is a response object for the brightness value (dim actor) .
In this case, watch group addresses are not required and the response of the brightness value can be attached to the actual object (brightness value)
as a monitoring group address.
Central address
Every communication object can be assigned any amount of central objects.
When this group address (with value) is received by the HomeServer then this EIB object is set to the new value.