# Service > Symcon documentation · English · generated on 2026-09-26 > Index: https://www.symcon.de/en/llms.txt Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/components/service/ The Service is the centerpiece of IP-Symcon. It always runs in the background and is usually automatically launched when starting the operating system. This means that no user needs to be logged into a computer/server, to guarantee perfect operation. ### Configuration File The configuration (settings.json) of IP-Symcon is saved every 10 minutes or when properly shutting down. Should the power supply fail, the configuration file could become corrupt or broken. In this case, IP-Symcon will try to use automatically saved copies of the settings.json until a working copy is found. If no functional configuration file is found, the service does not start and outputs an error message. ## PHP Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/components/service/php/ IP-Symcon uses PHP as its script language. As PHP is fully integrated, all of its advantages can be made use of. Among others, this means that multiple scripts can run at the same time. #### Version History | IP-Symcon Version | Integrated PHP Version | | ----------------- | ----------------------- | | from 1.0 | 5.1.x (x86 thread safe) | | from 2.2 | 5.3.x (x86 thread safe) | | from 2.5 | 5.4.x (x86 thread safe) | | from 4.0 | 5.6.x (x86 thread safe) | | from 5.0 | 7.2.x (x64 thread safe) | | from 5.1 | 7.3.x (x64 thread safe) | | from 5.5 | 7.4.x (x64 Thread Safe) | | from 7.0 | 8.2.x (x64 Thread Safe) | In addition to the standard PHP functions, special IP-Symcon functions are available, through which IP-Symcon-specific settings (see [Command Reference](../functions/index.md)) or devices configured in IP-Symcon, can be accessed (see [Module Reference](../modules/index.md)). The "php.ini" known from PHP ( ) is equally available in IP-Symcon. IP-Symcon configures "extension" entries automatically, based on the available extensions that were placed in the "IP-Symcon/ext" folder. ### Global include In order to make functions, constants, etc. available globally across all scripts, these must be defined in the file "__autoload.php". These must be present in the "IP-Symcon/scripts" folder. Multiple files can be read in within the "__autoload.php". > **Note:** Inputting commands or files via "__autoinclude.inc.php" is possible, but the file is overwritten during each new update or new installation. > **Warning:** The PHP function "auto_prepend_file" cannot be used, as it is already called and used by IP-Symcon. This should/can only be used once throughout the system. #### Example ```php __autoload.php require_once(IPS_GetKernelDir() . "/scripts/globalfunction.ips.php"); ``` ### Configure All possible configuration parameters can be taken from the PHP handbook. A useful setting for the case that some scripts (e.g. ShutterControl) eventually require it, is the extension of the maximum script runtime. When adjusting this setting, one must make sure that only a limited number of PHP scripts are run in IP-Symcon at the same time. Should all slots be occupied, due to a script having a long runtime, other scripts will be placed into a queue and only run with a delay. "Sleep" commands should therefore always be avoided and exchanged for "timer" commands. > **Warning:** IP-Symcon must be restarted after any changes are made to "php.ini"! #### Example __Increase maximum script runtime to 5 minutes.__ ```php [PHP] max_execution_time=300 ``` ## Interfaces Source: https://www.symcon.de/en/service/documentation/components/service/interfaces/ ### Hardware Modules sorted according to connections and alphabetical order | Components | Manufacturer | Connections | Supported devices | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------- | | [1-Wire](../modules/1-wire.md) | Maxim Dallas | Wired | [Device List](../modules/1-wire.md) | | [ALLNET](../modules/allnet.md) | ALLNET | Wired | [Device List](../modules/allnet.md) | | [digitalSTROM](../modules/digitalstrom.md) | AIZO | Wired | [Device List](../modules/digitalstrom.md) | | [DMX/Artnet](../modules/dmx-artnet.md) | among others DMX4ALL | Wired | [Device List](../modules/dmx-artnet.md) | | [KNX](../modules/knx.md) | among others Siemens AG, EIBMarkt, Gira, Jung, Merten, Weinzerl | wired | [Device List](../modules/knx.md) | | [eKey](../modules/ekey.md) | eKey | Wired | [Device List](../modules/ekey.md) | | IR remote control | among others [IRTrans](../concepts/automations.md), [WinLIRC](../modules/winlirc.md) | Wired | [Device List](../modules/irtrans.md) | | [LCN](../modules/lcn.md) | Issendorff | Wired | [Device List](../modules/lcn.md) | | [ModBus TCP](../modules/modbus-rtu-tcp.md),
[ModBus RTU](../modules/modbus-rtu-tcp.md),
[ModBus RTU over TCP](../modules/modbus-rtu-tcp.md) | e.g. Wago/Beckhoff SPS | Wired | [Device List](../modules/modbus-rtu-tcp.md) | | [M-Bus](../modules/mbus.md) | e.g. ALLMESS | Wired | [Device List](../modules/mbus.md) | | [SPS Siemens Vipa Logo](../modules/sps-siemens-vipa-logo.md) | Siemens AG | Wired | [Device List](../modules/sps-siemens-vipa-logo.md) | | [Siemens OZW](../modules/siemens-ozw.md) | Siemens AG | Wired | [Device List](../modules/siemens-ozw.md) | | [UVR1611](../modules/technische-alternative.md) | Technical Alternative | Wired | [Device List](../modules/technische-alternative.md) | | Velleman Board | Velleman | Wired | ------------------------------------------------- | | [WuT](../modules/wut.md) | W&T (Wiesemann & Theis) | Wired | ------------------------------------------------- | | [EnOcean](../modules/enocean.md) | EnOcean Alliance | Wireless (868Mhz) | page://szUQAzDnAQT63wLx | | [FHZ1X00PC](../modules/fhz1x00pc.md) (FS20, HMS, FHT, KS300) | ELV | Wireless (868Mhz) | [Device List](../modules/fhz1x00pc.md) | | [HomeMatic](../modules/homematic.md) | ELV | Wireless (868Mhz) | [Device List](../modules/homematic.md) | | [IPS-868](../modules/ips-868.md) | IP-Symcon/ProJet | Wireless (868Mhz) | [IPS-868](../modules/ips-868.md) | | [XBee](../modules/xbee.md) | ZigBee | Wireless (868Mhz) | ------------------------------------------------- | | [xComfort](../modules/xcomfort.md) | Eaton | Wireless (868Mhz) | [Device List](../modules/xcomfort.md) | | [Z-Wave](../modules/z-wave.md) | among others ACT, Popp, Düwi, Merten, Innovus, Fibaro | Wireless (868Mhz) | [Device List](../modules/z-wave.md) | | [FS10-weather](../modules/fs10-weather.md) | ELV | Wireless (433Mhz) | ------------------------------------------------- | ### Virtual Modules in alphabetical order | Designation | Functions | Special Features | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | [Archive Control](../modules/archive-control.md) | Saves, manages and provides logged variables. | | | [Calendar Control](../modules/calendar-control.md) | Manages planned presence/absence and provides available variables. | | | [Connect Control](../modules/connect-control.md) | Opens an encrypted tunnel to the Connect Service, which permits a secured remote access. | Requires an active subscription | | [Cutter](../modules/cutter.md) | Processes binary data and cuts/synchronizes them. Can be used with the interface modules. | | | [Event Control](../modules/event-control.md) | Reaction to particular events, such as system start/stop, in order to save/input particular system conditions | | | [Heating Control](../modules/heating-control.md) | 2-point regulator that switches heating actuators based on actual and set temperatures, in order to regulate using preset temperatures. | | | [IMAP](../modules/imap.md) | Serves an IMAP-based retrieval of e-mails. | | | [Location Control](../modules/location-control.md) | Calculates various twilight times, based on longitude and latitude. | | | [MediaPlayer](../modules/amazon-alexa.md) | WAV, MP3, WMA, Shoutcast, IceCast, WMALive | Several sound cards simultaneously | | [Module Control](../modules/module-control.md) | Provides various modules, integrated over a git repository. | | | [Notification Control](../modules/notification-control.md) | Manages all devices registered for push notifications. | Push Notifications require an active subscription | | [POP3](../modules/pop3.md) | Serves the POP3-retrieval of e-mails. | | | [Presence Control](../modules/presence-control.md) | Offers the possibility of assessing a presence in a particular area | | | [RegisterVariable](../modules/registervariable.md) | Provides a data transfer and processing interface | | | [SMTP](../modules/smtp.md) | Serves to send e-mails via SMTP. | | | [SMS](../modules/sms.md) | Serves to send SMSs with help of an external SMS provider. | | | [System Information](../concepts/automations.md) | CPU Load, hard drive capacity, battery power, printer queue | | | [Shutter Control](https://www.symcon.de/en/product/application-examples/shutter-control/) | Positions your shutters to an exact percentage value, even if your module can only move up or down. | Must be taught once | | [TextParser](../modules/textparser.md) | Extracts data from a text that, e.g., was delivered by the WWW Reader. | | | [Text To Speech](../modules/text-to-speech.md) | Synthesizes language for direct output from a loudspeaker or into a desired WAV file with various formats/qualities. | requires SAPI 5.1 or higher (XP, W2k3, Vista) | | [Util Control](../modules/util-control.md) | This module is an interface between the IP-Symcon service and the management console. | | | [WebHook Control](../modules/webhook-control.md) | Offers the possibility of retrieving scripts via the browser. | Can be used externally when combined with Connect Control | | [WebServer](../modules/webserver.md) | Provides a further port for the relevant WebFront. | SSL-encryption activated | ### Language Assistance Systems in alphabetical order | System | Manufacturer | Special Features | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ----------------------- | | [Amazon Alexa](../modules/amazon-alexa.md) | Amazon | Requires Symcon Connect | | [Google Assistant](../modules/google-assistant.md) | Google | Requires Symcon Connect | ### Visual Modules in alphabetical order | Designation | Functions | | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [Dummy Module](../modules/dummy-module.md) | Optically creates an instance in WebFront. | | [Image Grabber](../modules/image-grabber.md) | Automatically creates webcam images as media objects and thereby makes them directly available to WebFront. | | [Popup Module](../modules/popup-module.md) | Creates a pop-up in WebFront and displays linked objects. | | [Skin Control](../modules/skin-control.md) | This module manages available skins and allocates them to various WebFronts. | | [WebFront Visualization](webfront-visualization.md) | Manages a WebFront and offers various possible settings. | ### [Interface Modules](../modules/index.md) in alphabetical order | Designation | Functions | Special Features | | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | | [Client Socket](../modules/clientsocket.md) | ------------------------ | TCP-Client | | [HID](../modules/hid.md) | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | | [HTTPClient](../modules/httpclient.md) | Retrieves/reads websites | Proxy, Basic Authentication Support | | [Multicast Socket](../modules/multicastsocket.md) | ------------------------ | Multicast-Client | | [Serial Port](../modules/serialport.md) | ------------------------ | RS232/RS485 | | [Server Socket](../modules/serversocket.md) | ------------------------ | TCP-Server | | [UDP Socket](../modules/udpsocket.md) | ------------------------ | UDP-Client |