Connecting to a Network

Sub-Pages

The DigiSnap Pro supports a variety of network interfaces.

  • 10/100 Ethernet
  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
  • USB cellular modems (various)
  • Satellite modems via Ethernet

The network connection can be used for sending status emails, problem alerts, and uploading photos to an FTP server. Be sure to configure the Email Address setting so that you will receive any messages the DigiSnap Pro tries to send.

When multiple networks are detected, the DigiSnap Pro will use the last network to come online. (Each network to come online overrides the already connected networks.) Due to the delays in each type of network, the enumeration order is typically:

  1. Ethernet
  2. Wifi
  3. Cellular
  4. Satellite

This means that if you have both Ethernet and cellular configured, the cellular network will typically take precedence.

Setup

Ethernet

The ethernet interface defaults to DHCP. To connect to an ethernet network, simply plug the network cable into the DigiSnap Pro's ethernet jack before connecting with the app. When the DigiSnap Pro boots, it will request an address from the network and auto-configure itself with that address.

If you were already connected via the app when you plugged in the cable, you may need to issue the reboot command before it will detect the network.

Wifi

The DigiSnap Pro supports WPA- and WPA2-PSK authentication on 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi networks.

The optional wifi antenna must be installed to use wifi on the DigiSnap Pro. To get a good wifi signal, attach the wifi antenna to the lid of the Cyclapse housing. The lid is fiberglass, which allows wifi signals to pass through. The Cyclapse base is aluminum and will block wifi and other radio signals.

Connecting to a Wifi Network via the DigiSnap Pro Android App

  1. Open the app.
  2. Wait for the Network Settings option to appear. The progress bar at the top indicates the network hardware is starting up and the Network Settings option will appear soon.
  3. Tap Network Settings
  4. Scroll to the Wifi Access card
  5. Tap Scan for wifi network
  6. Tap the dropdown next to the SSID label
  7. Select your network from the list. If you don't see it, you can choose Enter SSID manually
  8. Tap the Key field and enter your wifi password
  9. Tap OK

In a moment your DigiSnap Pro will connect to the wifi network. From now on, every time the DigiSnap Pro network hardware starts up, it will attempt to connect to this network.

Connecting to a Wifi Network via the Debug Module

  1. Connect the debug module cable and launch the program.
  2. Type T S 2 1 to power up the network hardware.
  3. Type Q to return to the main menu.
  4. Watch for a Registry Changed message. This will take approximately 45 seconds.
  5. Hit Enter to list the new registry. You should see entries for Network Control Module, Network Access Module, Email Module, and WiFi Module.
  6. Type W to enter the WiFi setup menu.
  7. Type S 2to add a wifi network
  8. Enter the SSID and password as prompted.

In a moment your DigiSnap Pro will connect to the wifi network. From now on, every time the DigiSnap Pro network hardware starts up, it will attempt to connect to this network.

Cellular

The DigiSnap Pro supports various USB LTE and HSPA modems. The goal is to be able to support any regional cellular network by locally sourcing a USB modem compatible with that network for use with the DigiSnap Pro. If you have a success or failure with a particular modem, please let us know so that we can add it to our USB modem list!

To get Internet over a cellular network, an APN setting is required. Many of the latest generation of USB modems come with this value preconfigured. These modems will work with no configuration on the DigiSnap Pro. Just plug them into one of the DigiSnap Pro's USB ports and wait.

Older modems, such as the MTD-H5, require the APN to be set by the user. Your cellular network provider will be able to tell you what value to use for this setting.

Setting the APN with the DigiSnap Pro Android App

  1. Open the app.
  2. Wait for the Network Settings option to appear. The progress bar at the top indicates the network hardware is starting up and the Network Settings option will appear soon.
  3. Tap Network Settings
  4. Scroll to the Cellular Modem card
  5. Tap the field next to the APN label
  6. Type the APN given to you by your cellular provider.
  7. Tap OK

Setting the APN with the Debug Module

  1. Connect the debug module cable and launch the program.
  2. Type T S 2 1 to power up the network hardware.
  3. Type Q to return to the main menu.
  4. Watch for a Registry Changed message. This will take approximately 45 seconds.
  5. Hit Enter to list the new registry. You should see entries for Network Control Module, Network Access Module, Email Module, and WiFi Module.
  6. Type L to enter the Network Access Module menu.
  7. You will see the current Cellular Network APN setting print to the screen. It may be blank/empty.
  8. Type S 7.
  9. When prompted, type the APN for your local network.

Satellite

Satellite terminals with ethernet support may work with the DigiSnap Pro. The requirements for a satellite terminal to work with the DigiSnap Pro are:

  • Able to run from 15 VDC power
  • Automatically establish a satellite internet connection when power is applied
  • Gracefully handle power loss
  • Route Internet over Ethernet
  • Offer DHCP addresses over Ethernet

We recommend the Cobham Explorer 540 BGAN satellite terminal, which meets these requirements.

Configure your satellite terminal to automatically establish an internet connection when powered. You satellite terminal vendor may be able to help with this.

Harbortronics can provide a cable to power your satellite terminal with the DigiSnap Pro's switched power output.

Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

Connection State

You can use the Debug Module to print the state of each of the DigiSnap Pro's network interfaces. This is the first step in troubleshooting network problems.

  1. From the Debug Module main menu, type N to enter the Network Control Module sub-menu.
  2. The Connection State will print (near the middle).

Next to each type of connection, a 1 indicates the DigiSnap Pro has established a link to the network. For those familiar with the OSI model, this is the status of "layer 2".

  • For ethernet networks, a 1 indicates a switch is detected on the other end of the cable.
  • For wifi networks, a 1 indicates the wifi modem is associated with an access point.
  • For cellular networks, the meaning varies, but usually indicates the modem was able to acquire a signal for the subscribed network.

Note: Satellite terminals with Ethernet will show up under the Ethernet heading.

A 1 next to Internet indicates internet connectivity has been established on one of the network interfaces.

Current IP Address

After determining the network interface is connected (previous step), the next step for troubleshooting network problems is to see if the interface has an IP address. Follow the instructions in the previous step to print the Network Control Module public data. You should see three address parameters:

  • Ethernet Port Address
  • Wifi Port Address
  • Cellular Modem Port Address

Next to each of these labels is the local address used by the DigiSnap Pro. An address of 0.0.0.0 indicates no address was received from the network. When the ethernet port does not receive an address, it will default to 192.168.42.30.

Tests

After confirming an address has been assigned and Connection State: Internet is 1, try testing networking features like email and photo upload.

Send a Test Email

  1. Connect the debug module cable and launch the program.
  2. Type T S 2 1 to power up the network hardware.
  3. Type Q to return to the main menu.
  4. Watch for a Registry Changed message. This will take approximately 45 seconds.
  5. Hit Enter to list the new registry. You should see entries for Network Control Module, Network Access Module, Email Module, and WiFi Module.
  6. Type E to enter the Email Module sub-menu.
  7. Confirm that Dest Addr is your email address.
  8. Type X and then the number that corresponds to Send Test Email

In a moment, a test email from the DigiSnap Pro should arrive in your inbox. If an error occurred, it should print details of the error to the Debug Module.

Test Photo Upload

  1. Connect the debug module cable and launch the program.
  2. Type T S 2 1 to power up the network hardware.
  3. Type Q to return to the main menu.
  4. Watch for a Registry Changed message. This will take approximately 45 seconds.
  5. Hit Enter to list the new registry. You should see entries for Network Control Module, Network Access Module, Email Module, and WiFi Module.
  6. Type L to enter the Network Access Module menu.
  7. Confirm that the settings are correct. Learn more at enable image transfer to an FTP server.
  8. Type Q to return to the main menu.
  9. Type N to enter the Network Control Module sub-menu.
  10. Type X and then 11 to take a picture and transfer it to remote storage.
  11. Use an FTP client to confirm the file is now on your FTP server.