ASTRO-PHYSICS GTOCP4 Manual - Page 11

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Ethernet and WiFi

Ethernet and WiFi capability are two of the GTOCP4's most popular features. They will be even more

important as the rest of the astronomy world catches up. For the present, APCC is required to use

Ethernet or WiFi with the many Windows astronomy applications that are in use. Sky Safari users can

already connect directly via WiFi once the mount is initialized. Finally, the GTOCP4 has a built-in web

interface that allows access to many settings as well as a simple interface for uploading GTOCP4

software upgrades as they come available.

Be sure to read the relevant sections of the GTOCP4 manual before using these communication ports.

Here is some additional information:

The Network-based functions of the GTOCP4 continue to undergo development and

improvement. Many of you would never see any kind of problems with the software in its current

state. However, some of you might experience some network traffic issues if both WiFi and Ethernet

are active simultaneously. For the present time, we recommend the following:

1. If you will be using Ethernet, but NOT WiFi, turn WiFi OFF from the "Change Network

Connection" page of the GTOCP4 internal web page set. This is a good practice anyway. After

all, there is no way to hack a wireless connection that is turned off!

2. If you will be using WiFi, but NOT Ethernet, set the DHCP mode to OFF or CLIENT in the

"Advanced Ethernet Settings" page of the GTOCP4 internal web pages. This may already be

set as a default.

3. If you plan to use both Ethernet and WiFi, regarding Ethernet, set the DHCP mode to CLIENT to

connect the GTOCP4 to a Local Area Network (LAN). Set the DHCP mode to SERVER ONLY

if you will be connecting directly, peer-to-peer with a computer. Change these on the

"Advanced Ethernet Settings" page of the GTOCP4 internal web page set.

4. For the present, we do not recommend the BOTH setting under DHCP mode if you are also

using WiFi at the same time.

5. In most cases, the wired Ethernet connection will be the most robust and dependable, but WiFi

can be pretty close if your router's signal strength is good.

A handy ASCOM Ethernet - WiFi Poll utility has been provided on our Technical Support Page for

divining the correct IP address for ASCOM users without the networking expertise to do so

themselves.

http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/keypad_update/run/E-net_WiFi_Poll_2016-

0711_Secure.zip

Download the Ethernet – WiFi Poll application from the AP website and unzip it onto your

desktop.

Use the same Username and Password as for a keypad firmware update to download

this utility.

Connect the GTOCP4 to your home network with an Ethernet cable for this first session. Allow the

network router time (a minute or so) to assign an IP address to the GTOCP4. Now you can double-

click the utility to start it up.

The Utility will use the driver that you have already configured (above). The utility can even open up

the GTOCP4 Web Interface in Internet Explorer if it is present on your system.

We recommend that you open the web page at the end of the application. You can use the web pages

to make any changes or adjustments needed to the Ethernet or WiFi settings. Change settings as

needed. See below for more information.