How to Set Up Your Wireless Network for Use with ETC Mobile Applications

Wireless Router 

Wireless routers are by far the most common Wi-Fi networking device. These devices typically have an Internet, Ethernet or WAN (wide area network) port on them, as well as LAN (local area network) ports. Their function is to operate a local network of wired and wireless devices in one IP scheme/subnet, and route data as needed between that network and the bigger network connected to the WAN port in a separate IP scheme/subnet.

Some routers have an "Access Point" mode, which allows it to function like a WAP and disables all routing functions.

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

A wireless access point can also be used. These act as a translator between the wired and wireless, with very little filtering or processing. Devices that connect to the access point are essentially on the same network as the wired devices, and share the same IP scheme/subnet.

Note that access points will typically end up transmitting all multicast or broadcast information on the network. This means that level data from sACN, EDMX, and ArtNet may be sent over wireless, consuming bandwidth. In larger installations, this can become problematic and affect Wi-Fi remote connection, performance, and responsiveness.

DHCP 

One device in the system should be configured to assign IP addresses to other devices in the system. This service is called DHCP, or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. In an ETC system, the DHCP service is typically run on either a Net3 Conductor or an Eos-family, or Congo/Cobalt-family console. When both a console and Net3 Conductor are present, Net3 Conductor is preferred. If you have multiple consoles and no Net3 Conductor, ETC recommends choosing the console assigned as Primary (for Eos Family devices) or Server (for Congo and Cobalt Family devices).

Enabling DHCP on Net3 Conductor 
Enabling DHCP on Eos or Cobalt Family Consoles

For additional information on how IP addressing is used in ETC products, watch the following Bobblehead Fred video: Demystifying the Network or: How I Learned to Love My Lighting Network from a Bobblehead

Existing Network (with DHCP) with a Router

• Requirements:
  • Existing DHCP server (Net3 Conductor, Eos-family console, or Cobalt/Congo-family console)
  • Router set to factory default settings
    • Router assigns IP addresses to its local ports and wireless devices
    • ETC recommends setting a wireless security password if one does not exist
• Connect your router:
  • With the router powered off, connect its WAN port to a core switch in your system
  • Power the router on
  • Once fully booted, connect your phone or tablet to the wireless network

The router will assign your wireless device an IP address from its default range, which is most often in the 192.168.0.0/16, 10.0.0.0/8, or 172.16.0.0/12 private IP ranges. The Subnet Mask is often 255.255.255.0, but can vary.

Existing Network (with DHCP) with an Access Point or Router in Access Point Mode

• Requirements:
  • Existing DHCP server (Net3 Conductor, Eos-family console, or Cobalt/Congo-family console)
  • Access point (AP), or router switched to AP mode, set to factory default settings
    • ETC recommends setting a wireless security password if one does not exist
• Connect your access point:
  • With the access point powered off, connect its Ethernet port to a core switch in the system
  • Power the access point on
  • Once fully booted, connect your phone or tablet to the wireless network

The DHCP server on the lighting network will assign an IP address to any wireless device that connects to the access point. If the lighting network is using default settings, your device will get an IP address in the 10.101.x.x range, with a Subnet Mask of 255.255.0.0.

Existing Network (without DHCP)

• Requirements:
  • NO Existing DHCP server
  • Router or access point
• Connection:
  • Connect router’s LAN port, or access point's Ethernet port to a core switch in the system
  • Using the device's setup guide, assign a static IP address in the 10.101.x.x range, with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, and a default gateway of 10.101.1.1
  • Assign static IP addresses to your mobile devices in the 10.101.x.x with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, and default gateway of 10.101.1.1

Note: It is critical that all devices have a unique IP address.

See the link below for default ETC IP addresses. If your lighting system is using non-default IP addresses, consult with your system integrator and/or facility IT personnel. 
ETC Default Network IP Addresses

No Network 

If you do not have any existing network infrastructure, ETC recommends installing a small unmanaged switch between your ETC hardware and the router/access point. Depending on proximity of the equipment to each other, you may need to hire a certified electrician to install additional network cable and Ethernet ports in your walls to support the new addition. Once the proper infrastructure is in place, follow the proper instructions above depending on the presence of a DHCP server.

Connecting Your Wireless Device

Connect to the wireless network as you would any other Wi-Fi network. 
Android (enabling Wi-Fi may vary between devices and/or Android versions)

• Click on the Settings icon
• Choose Wi-Fi (or Network & Internet, or Internet), and tap the toggle to turn it on
• Tap on your network to connect. If you have enabled a passphrase, enter it when prompted
• For additional help on connecting your Android device, see the support page from Google: Connect to Wi-Fi Networks
• Due to the variety of processes for doing so in Android, to assign a static IP address, ETC recommends contacting the manufacturer of your device for instructions.
  • NOTE: Android uses a "Network Prefix Length" notation in place of Subnet Mask. This is a CIDR Notation format of the Subnet Mask. A prefix length of 24 = 255.255.255.0, and 16 = 255.255.0.0.

iOS

• Click on the Settings icon
• Choose Wi-Fi, and tap the toggle to turn it on
• Tap on your network to connect. If you have enabled a passphrase, enter it when prompted
• For additional help on connecting your iOS device, see the support page from Apple: Connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
• To assign a static IP address to your iOS devices, open your Settings app, select Wi-Fi, and tap on the blue “!” symbol on the right side of your connection.
  • On the page select Manual, and enter the required IP information.
• NOTE: iOS requires both a Router IP and DNS IP to be defined in order to validate the connection. If either is blank the settings are considered invalid and ETC applications will be unable to connect to their target device. If the connection is valid the Wi-Fi icon will display next to the battery status icon in the top-right corner of the display. Invalid connections will not display the Wi-Fi icon.  Switching to Manual settings may be required in order to define a Router or DNS IP, depending on what values your DHCP server does or does not provide.

Connect Your ETC Mobile Application to the Hardware

Click one of the product links below to get to app-specific instructions for final connection. 

• iRFR and aRFR 
• Echo Access 
• Paradigm Mobile Button Station 

CEM3 Web Interface* 
Paradigm Architectural Control Processor (PACP) Web Interface * 
Paradigm Central Control Processor (PCCS) Web Interface * 
Net3 Conductor Web Interface*

* To access the Web Interface for CEM3, PACP, PCCS, or Net3 Conductor follow the instructions in this article and open an internet browser on a PC connected to the wireless router or access point. Type in the IP address of the device to access their interfaces. Refer to the help systems for these products on how to use their respective Web Interfaces.