=========================== Connecting to Your PiFinder =========================== The PiFinder doesn't need another device to do its job, but connecting your phone, tablet, or computer opens up a lot: a web interface for remote control and configuration, planetarium apps that follow your telescope, and direct access to your logged observations and images. This page covers how the PiFinder's WiFi works and each way to connect. WiFi ========================== Access Point and Client Mode ---------------------------------- The PiFinder can connect to an existing network in Client mode, or serve as a wireless access point for other devices in Access Point (AP) mode. Use the :ref:`connectivity:web interface` or the :ref:`user_guide:status screen` to switch between the two modes and see which is active. In Access Point mode the PiFinder creates a network called PiFinderAP with no password, for easy connection of phones, tablets, and other devices in the field. To use Client mode, add the WiFi network you'd like the PiFinder to connect to using the Web Interface, as described in :ref:`connectivity:connecting to a new wifi network` PiFinder address ----------------- In most cases you can reach the PiFinder at ``pifinder.local``. On older computers, or those without zeroconf networking, use the IP address shown on the :ref:`Status` screen. You can connect via: * A web browser, for the :ref:`connectivity:web interface` — remote control, WiFi setup, and configuration changes * SSH, for shell access (advanced users) * SMB (Samba), to access saved images, logs, and observing lists * LX200 protocol, to update a planetarium app such as :doc:`skysafari` with the telescope's position Web Interface ============== The PiFinder's web interface lets you: * See the current PiFinder status * Remote control the PiFinder via a virtual screen and keypad * Change network settings and connect to new WiFi networks * Add and edit your telescopes and eyepieces (see :doc:`equipment`) * Back up and restore your observing logs, settings, and other data * View and download your logged observations * Choose or upload a logging configuration to capture detailed logs for a bug report To reach the web interface for the first time, make sure the PiFinder is in Access Point mode (see :ref:`user_guide:settings menu`) — the default for new PiFinders, to ease first-time setup. From a phone, tablet, or computer, connect to the PiFinder's open wireless network, PiFinderAP (no password), then open your browser and visit: ``http://pifinder.local`` .. note:: If you're connected to the PiFinderAP network and can't load the web interface at http://pifinder.local, try http://10.10.10.1 — some systems don't support the network features needed to resolve local computer names. .. list-table:: :width: 100% * - .. image:: images/user_guide/pf_web_home_fullnav.jpg - .. image:: images/user_guide/pf_web_home_hamburger.jpg The home screen shows general PiFinder status and a live view of the screen. Depending on your screen size you'll see either a navigation bar along the top or a 'hamburger' menu in the upper-left holding the same options on smaller screens. The home screen needs no password, but most other functions do. The web interface password is the same as the ``pifinder`` user's; changing one changes the other. The default for new images and PiFinders is ``solveit``, and you can change it from the Tools option in the web interface. The web interface is available in English, German, French, and Spanish. It follows your browser's preferred language, so set the language on your phone or computer and the pages follow suit. Connecting to a new WiFi network --------------------------------- By default the PiFinder generates its own WiFi network, ``PiFinderAP``, that you connect to in order to configure additional networks. To have the PiFinder connect to an existing WiFi network with Internet access, follow these steps: 1) Make sure the PiFinder is in Access Point mode 2) Connect your phone, tablet, or computer to the PiFinder's wifi network called PiFinderAP 3) Visit http://pifinder.local using your web browser 4) Click the 'Network' link in the top bar, or on a smaller screen click the three stacked horizontal lines in the upper-right corner and choose 'Network'. .. image:: images/user_guide/pf_web_net0.png 5) When prompted, enter the password for your PiFinder. The default is `solveit`. 6) Scroll down to the 'Wifi Networks' section and click the + button to add a network .. image:: images/user_guide/pf_web_net1.jpg 7) Enter the name (SSID) and password of your network. If your network has no password, leave the Password field blank. 8) Click the 'SAVE' button to save the new network 9) The network you added should now appear in the 'Wifi Networks' section 10) Scroll up and change the Wifi mode from 'Access Point' to 'Client' so the PiFinder connects to your network on its next restart 11) Click the 'UPDATE AND RESTART' button To add more WiFi networks, navigate to the Network Setup page of the :ref:`connectivity:web interface`, click the + button near the WiFi networks list, and repeat the steps above. Logging configuration --------------------- When you're tracking down a problem, the Logs page of the web interface can turn up the detail the PiFinder records. Pick one of the built-in configurations — default, debug, or webserver — or upload your own, and the PiFinder restarts with it in place. The richer logs make it much easier to capture what happened for a bug report; switch back to default when you're done. SkySafari and Planetarium Apps ============================== The PiFinder can provide real-time pointing information to SkySafari and other planetarium apps via the LX200 protocol, and accept targets they send back. The :doc:`skysafari` page has the connection settings and walks through the setup step by step. Shared Data Access =================== The PiFinder creates several data files you may want. They're available via an SMB (samba) network share, ``//pifinder.local/shared``. Access depends on your OS, but the PiFinder should appear in a network browser. No password is required — connect as ``guest`` with no password. Once connected, you'll see: * ``captures/``\ : Images saved when logging objects, named with the observation ID from the database. * ``obslists/``\ : Observing lists. Copy list files here (subfolders welcome) to load them at the scope — see :ref:`user_guide:observing lists`. * ``screenshots/``\ : Screenshots taken while using the PiFinder (hold **SQUARE** and press **0**) are stored here. * ``solver_debug_dumps/``\ : If enabled, solver performance information is stored here as a collection of images and json files. * ``observations.db``\ : The SQLite database holding all logged observations.