Nederlands
English
In progress
On this page I will try to explain in simple language what the network possibilities are for the XR18 and other models.
The XR (and X) has a switch with 3 positions next to the ethernet connection.
- LAN
- WIFI client
- WIFI ACCESS point.
A network protocol is used to be able to communicate between your XR and your tablet, laptop or PC. This is called TCP-IP. This protocol sends IP (Internet Protocol) packets via a cable (ethernet cat 5/6) or via the air (wifi) with messages to each other.
To ensure that the packets reach the correct recipient, each device has its own address. This is called the IP address and the most commonly used version (IP4) is made up of 4 sets of 3-digit numbers. 192.168.001.001 is such an address. The leading zeros are usually omitted so you get 192.168.1.1. To connect a lot of devices, a subnet mask is also used. I will not go into this further, but for our local use this is always 255.255.255.0. This indicates that our local network can use 254 addresses, namely 192.168..1.1 to 192.168.1.254.
DHCP.
To ensure that each device on the local network receives a unique IP address, this is centrally controlled by a local DHCP server. The XR also has a built-in DHCP server. This works in WIFI ACCESS point mode and optionally in LAN.
With WIFI ACCESS-point, the XR has the address 192.168.1.1 and gives out addresses from 192.168.1.101 to 192.168.1.132.
This also applies to ethernet/lan if it is set as dhcp server.
External (wifi) router.
Because the wifi access point of the XR has only a limited capacity, an external wifi router is often used. This is a device that, as a sorting center, sends all incoming IP packets from all connected devices to the correct device.
The router has its own DHCP server and gives IP addresses to all devices connected to it. The range that the DHCP server gives out can differ per type. This can be 192.168.0.x but also 192.168.2.x. Please note that a device in the 192.168.0.x range can NOT communicate with a device in the 192.168.2.x range. (due to the subnet mask of 255.255.255.0).
Please note that it can take 1 to 2 minutes for some routers to fully start up.
Caution. NEVER USE THE WAN CONNECTOR!
The connection options.
Access point.
This is usually used when first pairing your XR and a laptop/tablet and is about wifi.
The Access point always works as a DHCP server and can give access to a maximum of 4 devices.
You can find the XR with your available wifi networks as XR18-xx-xx-xx. This network is unsecured. If you have bought a second-hand XR and you do not know its security details, you can reset the network settings by pressing the reset button for 2 seconds with a paperclip, for example. The reset button is behind the hole at the wifi sign.
The XR always gets the IP address 192.168.1.1 and the connected devices an address between 192.168.1.101 - 192.168.1.132.
You can now fully control the XR with e.g. the Xair-edit app
Points:
- The wifi signal of the XR is not great and it is advised not to use this method at large performances with a large audience.
- A maximum of 4 clients can be connected.
- For home use this is a great solution.
Wi-Fi client.
With this method, the XR behaves like a client like your tablet and will connect with an access point such as a Wi-Fi router. You must specify in advance (in the access-point mode as mentioned above) in the network settings of the XR which router it should contact. You must already enter the network name, type of security and key. The XR is assigned an IP address from the router, which must also be the dhcp server. If the router is not available, (the distance is too far, is off or is not yet fully started,) then the XR will remain inaccessible. You can also enter a static IP number, subnet mask and default gateway, if you have enough knowledge about this.
to be continued
