Embedded Files
Network Administration Page
Network Administration Page
A network administration page is found under the “Net” menu item on the Control Page. Items on this page show the status of and permit setting of various network parameters.
The MicroPi emits a WiFi SSID signal on a port named "uap0". It can accept devices connecting to it via standard WiFi protocols.
It can also connect to an external WiFi signal on a port called WLAN0. When this is active, it becomes a member of the associated network. It seeks an address from the WLAN's DHCP server.
The controls on this page allow these functions to be administered.
IP addresses assigned to the various network ports are displayed in this tool. The emitted WiFi signal can be temporarily disabled, but resumes on reboot.
Network Status Block
Network Status Block
usb0: Cabled network card IP address, if not connected, it is ignored.
wlan0: If the WiFi port is connected to a WLAN network, the name of the signal (SSID) and current IP on that network is shown, otherwise it is ignored.
The example above shows that the device is connected to an external WiFi network having SSID: "HidalgoN". Its IP address is 192.168.0.168 on this network. It can be accessed by other computers connected to the "HidalgoN" network at that address. http://192.168.0.168. Many devices will also find it at http://mpi.local.
Remote IP: IP address of computer used to view the page. In the case shown this is 192.168.0.194.
uap0: IP address of the WiFi Access Point network. (always 192.168.50.1)
SSID: The emitted WiFi signal is called "MicroPi"
Tx-Power: This shows the present transmit power of the MicroPi signal.
Hi: Set Hi Power (31dBm)
Med: Set medium power (10dBm)
Lo: Set lo power (0dBm)
Off: Shut off MicroPi WiFi signal
Transmit power settings are retained during reboot cycles. However, the WiFi resumes at reboot if shut off during previous runtime.
Customize the Hostname and/or SSID (optional)
Customize the Hostname and/or SSID (optional)
From this tool you can set the host (default “mpi”) to a custom hostname. Note that if this is changed, the URL of all of the pages will change to the corresponding name having “.local” appended as a top-level domain. If you lose track, you can always get back to the MicroPi by connecting to its WiFi signal and its default wireless IP address: http://192.168.50.1
To Change WiFi parameters:
Set the SSID (default “MicroPi”)
Set the channel (default 5)
Click “Change” - leading to required reboot of device.
Note: If the Hostname is changed, the MicroPi will connect at http://{new_host_name}.local and no longer at "http://mpi.local".
Connect to external WiFi network & Internet
Connect to external WiFi network & Internet
The MicroPi may be connected to a local WiFi network. Available networks are shown beside a graphic which denotes their relative strength, from one to four bars. Modern firmawares also show the RF band of the indicated network (2 or 5 GHz) . Clicking on one of the tiles will lead to a page which allows entering the passphrase. This connects the MicroPi to the internet if the associated network is so connected. It also permits other users of this network to access the MicroPi as a local resource. If no networks are shown where there are known WiFi signals, refresh the page.
The example at left shows a fictional device which receives four different WiFi networks named "4BarNetName", "3BarNetName", "2BarNetName", "1BarNetName". The realtive signal strengths are denoted by the 1-4 bar icons shown.
The MicroPi will be discovered on the connected network by its hostname (default http://mpi.local) only on devices which are enabled with “Apple Bonjour”, “Zeroconf”, “avahi”, or mDNS. These are all names for the same service. This includes devices made by Apple, Windows computers and computers running Linux. Unfortunately, this service is not available by default on Android phones although several apps can provide Zeroconf capabilities. Regardless, the MicroPi can be found on the network by any device by entering its wireless lan IP address. http://{IP_Address} (http://192.168.0.168) in the example shown above). This works on any device, Android phones included.
DLNA assisted player devices will discover the MicroPi on their local networks.
Disconnect: will delete the WiFi network parameters and disconnect the MicroPi from the external network.
Notes on connection to an external network:
Notes on connection to an external network:
Some local networks are specifically configured to prevent connected devices from accessing local peers on the network. If there is a question, check with the network administrator.
Connecting the MicroPi to an external network connects devices connected to the MicroPi’s signal to the external network.
Connecting to an external network changes the MicroPi's emitted signal to the same channel as the external network regardless of the setting in #2 above. The MicroPi cannot simultaneously transmit and receive on different channels. This rule applies to use on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. This device includes both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi. If the RP4B based MicroPi connects to a 5GHz network, the emitted AP signal will also change to the same channel in the 5GHz band.
When connecting to a WLAN, position the MicroPi as close to the WiFi access point as possible to assure a wide bandwidth signal.
Captive Portal
Captive Portal
The MicroPi includes captive portal technology which helps users find it when connecting. This changes the DNS function by redirecting all attempts to access external websites to the MicroPi's own website. However, when the device is being loaded from the internet, this must be disabled. This control shows the current state and allows the captive portal to be enabled and disabled.
The Captive Portal is an advantage when the device is deployed, so it's best turned on when using the device as a server.
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