Connecting to the BATLOGGER User Interface

All settings for the operation of the BATLOGGER are done using a web browser which connects to the BATLOGGER via network.

Direct local connection

For the direct local connection the BATLOGGER is connected directly with a PC or notebook using an Ethernet cable. No routers/switches should be installed in between.

Note

You can use a USB to Ethernet adapter if needed.

_images/RSX8_ethernet.jpg

This way of connecting is especially interesting for first configuration and local operation. The connecting PC/notebook does not need to have any internet connection. All user interfaces and settings are handled fully locally. Later on (after installation and verification) you will usually use the remote connection over the internet to handle the BATLOGGER settings and status.

  1. Use any ETHERNET cable (e.g. a so called patch cable) to directly connect the ETHERNET port of the BATLOGGER with the ETHERNET port of your PC/notebook. You may also use a cross-over cable. Cable options are detected automatically. You may connect the devices while both devices are powered.
  2. The BATLOGGER may not have access to the internet while directly connected, so do not wonder, that the blue LED will be off.

Connecting under Microsoft windows operating system

  1. Microsoft Windows automatically falls back to a 169.254.x.x network when it does not find an DHCP server in the network infrastructure. So, after a short while, Windows is configured correctly automatically and ready to connect to the BATLOGGER.
  2. To get access to the BATLOGGER settings page open your web browser (chrome preferred) on the PC/notebook and enter the IP-address
  1. After a while (again be patient, it might take a while until the notebook recognizes the IP address of the BATLOGGER and you may be need to try to reload the page) the settings page will open and will ask for username and password.

    _images/BL_direct_login.png

Connecting under Linux operating system

Linux does not fall back to a default network when no DHCP server is found. Therefore, the local interface needs to be configured manually first, before you are able to connect to the BATLOGGER.

  1. Connect the BATLOGGER and the PC with an Ethernet cable.

  2. Open a terminal

  3. Do a ifconfig

    ifconfig
    
  4. You see the different interfaces of your PC. It depends on your Linux version and on your installed hardware which interface names are shown:

    _images/BL_direct_linux1.png
  5. Look for an interface such as eth0 or enp0Sx or something, which is your Ethernet port.

  6. Ignore lo or wlan interfaces.

  7. Use the found name in the following command

    sudo ifconfig name_of_your_eth_interface 169.254.1.15
    

For example

sudo ifconfig eth0 169.254.1.15
  1. Notice the number .15 at the end. It needs to be something different than the .16 of the BATLOGGER

  2. Now you can do another

    ifconfig
    

To check, that your interface has got the IP address 169.254.1.15.

  1. In the terminal you could do a

    ping 169.254.1.16
    

It should reply correctly (no timeout).

_images/BL_direct_linux2.png
  1. Now we have verified the physical connection.

  2. Use a browser (Firefox / Chrome) and type as address

    http://169.254.1.16
    

Make sure to have entered http as protocol and .16 in the end to address the BATLOGGER. By default most browsers use https, so you need to enter the http:// manually.

  1. You can save the link as a bookmark which makes it easier to access the BATLOGGER in the future.
  2. The IP setting of you Linux is not permanent. After removing the Ethernet cable and performing a reboot, the Linux settings are on your Linux defaults again.

Login

Login with the following default credentials

Username:     blxuser
      Password:       blx!WE?
  1. If you want (and you should, before you install the BATLOGGER in the field) you can change the default password to your own password
    by ticking the “Change Password” box. But that is not important for now.
  2. You can save the credentials in your browser which makes it easier to access the BATLOGGER in the future.