Although network setup is part of the general Setup menu, it is important enough to have its own chapter.
In addition to the technical benefits, connecting the MDA to a wired or wireless network offers more flexibility than using the hotspot only.
Contents
Advantages of an internet connection
Hotspot only or advanced network setup
Home or enterprise networks
Firewall requirements
FTP access
Multiple MDAs on one network
Network connections overview
Wired connection
Wireless connection (home network)
Wireless connection (enterprise network)
IP address access
Potential problems and solutions
Alternative connection methods
Advantages of an internet connection
When the MDA is connected to a network with internet access, the following additional functions become available:
Full MDA registration.
Notifications about updates and new developments .
Automatic software updates.
Access to MyImages.
Access to map-making functions.
Access to manual chapters directly from the MDA.
Internet browsing through the connected device via the MDA.
No need to switch repeatedly between networks.
Hotspot only or advanced network setup
If you only wish to access the MDA through its own Wi-Fi hotspot, no further network setup is required.
To connect using the hotspot:
Open the Wi-Fi settings on your device.
Select mda-hotspot.
Enter the password: 12345678
Open a browser.
Enter: http://mda/
To connect the MDA to another network
For wired or wireless connection to a home or enterprise network:
Open the Setup page.
Sign in using the default password: admin
(or the password set by the administrator).
Home or enterprise networks
Home network
Setup is usually straightforward.
Enterprise network
Please contact your IT department. They may need to provide:
Network username
Password
Security certificates
Firewall permissions
Firewall requirements
The MDA web interface communicates with Thinkable services, including online manual pages.
During registration, your device registration details are sent securely to Thinkable. (Network login credentials are not stored.)
For internet access, outgoing web traffic should be permitted.
Typically:
Port 80 (HTTP)
Port 443 (HTTPS, if used by network policy)
Most organisations already allow this.
FTP access
The MyImages feature uses file transfer services.
Your IT department may need to allow:
Port 20
Port 21
If external database access is required:
Port 3306
Multiple MDAs on the same network
In the lower part of the Network Setup section, you can change:
Device name (default: mda)
Hotspot name / SSID (default: mda-hotspot)
Hotspot password (default: 12345678)
Two-letter country code
Important
If more than one MDA is used on the same network, each device must have a unique:
Device name
Hotspot SSID
Otherwise conflicts may occur.
Network connections overview
The upper section of the Network Setup page shows whether the MDA is using:
Wired connection
Wi-Fi connection
Hotspot mode
If connected to Wi-Fi, the network name (SSID) is shown.
If not connected, available Wi-Fi networks are listed.
Select a network and enter:
Password (home network), or
Username and password (enterprise network)
Wired connection
To connect:
Plug a LAN cable into the MDA.
Plug the other end into your router or network socket.
Switch on the MDA.
The MDA will normally configure itself automatically.
Then, on another device connected to the same network:
Open a browser
Enter: http://mda/
Wired speed note
The MDA RJ45 port supports up to: 100 Mbit/s
Most switches detect this automatically.
If a switch port is manually fixed to 1 Gbit/s, the connection may fail.
If necessary, set the switch port to:
Auto negotiate, or
100 Mbit/s
Wireless connection (home network)
First connect to mda-hotspot.
Open the Setup page.
Enter password: admin
Select Network Setup.
Choose your local Wi-Fi network.
Enter the Wi-Fi password.
Select Add Wi-Fi Network.
The MDA will now connect to your Wi-Fi network.
Any device on the same network can then access the MDA.
Notes
The hotspot will be disabled while using your Wi-Fi network.
If a USB stick is inserted during startup, the MDA may reset to hotspot mode.
Wireless connection (enterprise network)
The MDA automatically detects the type of Wi-Fi network.
Supported types
WPA / WPA2 Personal
Uses a standard Wi-Fi password.
WPA / WPA2 Enterprise
Uses a RADIUS server and requires:
Username
Password
Your IT department can provide these details.
IP address access
If the MDA name has been changed or cannot be found, use the hotspot IP address:
http://192.168.50.5
When connected through your router, the current IP address can usually be found in the router’s connected devices list.
Potential problems and solutions
- http://mda/ does not open
Your device may have cached an older connection.
Use: http://192.168.50.5
or clear DNS cache.
Android / iPhone / iPad
Turn Airplane Mode on
Wait 10 seconds
Turn it off
Reconnect Wi-Fi
Windows
Open Command Prompt as Administrator and enter: ipconfig /flushdns
Mac
Open Terminal and enter: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder - Wi-Fi connection unstable
Too many nearby networks may cause interference.
Try:
Moving the MDA
Moving your computer or phone
Reducing distance between devices - Device reconnects to another network
If hotspot connection drops, your device may reconnect automatically to a known network.
Reconnect manually to mda-hotspot.
Alternative connection methods
Bonjour service
You can often connect more easily using: http://mda.local
This works by Bonjour network discovery.
Supported by default:
Mac
iPhone
iPad
Windows
Bonjour may need to be installed separately.
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