SkyFi's Wireless Network

After you turn SkyFi on, it creates an open wireless network named "SkyFi." You can join this network from your PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod, or other wireless device - just as you would join any other WiFi network.

To join SkyFI's wireless network from Mac running OS X, a PC running Windows, or an iPhone or iPod Touch:

• Mac OS X - click the AirPort icon on the left side of the menu bar at the top of the screen to view a list of available WiFi networks. SkyFi should appear under the Devices section.

• Windows - right-click the wireless networks icon on the task bar to view a list of avaiable WiFi networks. SkyFi should appear in this list.

• iPhone/iPod Touch - tap the Settings icon on the main screen, then select WiFi. SkyFi should appear on the list of networks that appears to the right.

Joining SkyFi's wireless network: from Mac OS X (left), from Windows 7 (center) and from an iPhone (right).
Click any image to enlarge.

Using a standard web browser, you can change SkyFi's wireless network name, and add WEP security so that unauthorized users can't connect to your hardware. The instructions on this page assume that you are familiar with basic home-networking concepts like SSIDs, WEP security, and IP addresses.

Joining SkyFi's Network

Here are some points to consider when joining SkyFi's wireless network for the first time:

• When you join SkyFi's network, SkyFi will automatically assign an IP address to your computer or other wireless device. For this to work correctly, make sure your computer is configured to use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This is the default setting on most computers. Consult Mac OS X or Windows Help for more information on how to check your network settings.

• SkyFi generates an "Ad Hoc" wireless network. It is not a router or wireless access point. You will not be able to connect to the internet while joined to SkyFi's wireless network - only to other devices on SkyFi's network. If several devices are joined to SkyFi's network, that network will still exist even if SkyFi itself is turned off! To completely shut down SkyFi's wireless network, make sure all devices have disconnected from SkyFi's network - and wait a minute or two for your computer to "forget" the network.

Configuring SkyFi's Wireless Network

We strongly recommend that you change SkyFi's wireless network name and enable WEP security before using SkyFi in the field. If you don't, other SkyFi units with the same network name may conflict with yours, and other users may be able to connect with (and control!) your hardware. You can configure SkyFi's network using a standard web browser like Safari or Internet Explorer.

1. First join SkyFi's wireless network, as described above. Then browse to http://10.0.0.1/

2. You should see a web page which lets you set SkyFi's network name (SSID), channel, enable WEP security, and enter a WEP key.

   • Network SSID - must be from 1 to 31 characters long, and contain only the digits 0 - 9, lower case letters a - z, or upper case letters A - Z. Examples: SpaceNet, ZeroG, 9Planets, M13.

   • WEP Key - must be either 10 or 26 characters long, and contain only the digits 0 - 9 or letters A - F. Examples: DE4DB3AF01, 4E0D966A2BC5FD5CC1507A5681.

   • Channel - selects the WiFI channel on which you want SkyFi to broadcast. In most cases, this doesn't matter, since WiFi devices can receive signals broadcast on any channel. Most WiFi hardware is optimized around the center channel (7), so we recomend that setting. You might want to change this only if you suspect interference from other devices broadcasting nearby.

3. Click the "Save Changes" button below the wireless settings on SkyFi's web page. Wait a few seconds for SkyFi's wireless network to reset, then re-join SkyFi's new network. Browse to http://10.0.0.1/ again to confirm your new network settings.

Configuring SkyFi's TCP/IP Settings

Like all devices on a wireless network, SkyFi needs an IP address to communicate with other devices on that network. SkyFi has a DHCP server, and can assign IP addresses to other devices on its wireless network, such as your iPhone or WiFi-enabled computer. You can configure SkyFI's IP address using the following section on its configuration web page.

• IP Address - sets the IP address that SkyFi will assign to itself. The default is 10.0.0.1.

• Subnet Mask - determines the range of IP addresses that SkyFi will assign to other devices on its network. The default is 255.0.0.0. For example, if SkyFi's IP address is configured to be 10.0.0.1, then other devices will be assigned the IP addresses 10.0.0.2, 10.0.0.3, etc., up to 10.0.0.100.

• DHCP Server - enables or disables SkyFi's DHCP server. You might want to disable SkyFi's DHCP server to avoid conflicts with another DHCP server on the network. If you disable SkyFi's DHCP server, other devices on SkyFi's network will have to have their IP addresses configured statically ("manually").

When you are finished, click the "Save Changes" button. Wait a few seconds for SkyFi to reset. Then browse to http://10.0.0.1/ - or to whatever IP address you have assigned to SkyFi - to confirm your new network settings.