X
Knowledge Base
Categories

KB Search

Connecting PRO-MUX/PRO-BUF/NDC-5 to the Network

← Back

Connecting the PRO-BUF-1 to a Wi-Fi router is a straightforward process. We have tried a number of routers in our lab and have been successful in connecting to all of them. There are however a number of things to check and confirm depending on the connection method being used:

  1. If you are connecting directly to a router then the router should have DHCP enabled. (this is usually enabled by default unless you are connected to a LAN where another router or server is providing DHCP) The router should also support DNS to allow it to resolve the PRO-BUF-1 domain name. Note the PRO-BUF-1 uses a private address range.
    a. Launch your web browser and type in http://probuf-xxxxxx/ (where ‘xxxxxx’ is replaced by the serial number of the device)
    b. This will connect  to the PRO-BUF-1 and you will see the configuration web pages served up from the PRO-BUF-1.
  2. If it does not have DNS support (but is using DHCP) then we need to follow the following procedure:
    a. Firstly, find out the IP address which the DHCP server has allocated to the PRO-BUF-1. This requires using a command prompt in Windows.
    (Alternatively, use Actisense Toolkit, as it will show the IP addresses of all devices connected to the Network selected when viewing the ‘IP Device List’ window).
    b. Type in ‘command prompt’ in the start menu search to find the command prompt application.
    c. Once you have a command prompt window type in ‘arp -a’
    d.This will give you a list of MAC addresses vs. IP addresses. Find the IP address which corresponds to the MAC address of the unit in question.
    e. The IP address should read something similar to 192.168.xxx.xxx
    f. To test if you can connect to the PRO-BUF-1 send a ping to it. In the command prompt window type ‘ping <IP address>’ and verify that you get a reply.
    g. Then launch your web browser and type in the following address to connect directly to the PRO-BUF-1: http://<IP address>
    h. You should be connected to the PRO-BUF-1 and you will see the configuration web pages served up from the PRO-BUF-1.
  3. If the PRO-BUF-1 is connected to a LAN you should ensure that you have both DHCP and DNS on your network and follow the procedure as in 1. Above.
  4. You can also connect a laptop directly to the PRO-BUF-1 using a LAN cable.
    a. Make sure your laptop is configured to obtain an IP address automatically
    b. This is configured under Network settings / Ethernet Properties / IPv4 properties;
    c. Under General set ‘Obtain IP address automatically’ and ‘Obtain DNS server address automatically’
    d.Under Alternate Configuration set ‘Automatic private IP address’

Please note: This process also applies for the PRO-MUX-1 and NDC-5. The only change is where ‘probuf’ will be changed to ‘promux’ or ‘ndc’. 

Also, the IP address is individual to each device, so if there is a PRO-BUF and a PRO-MUX present, they will have different IP addresses. This is important when trying to connect to one of the devices, as the returned Web UI will be determined by the web address / IP entered. 

Contents