How to: ProfiLux Wi-Fi setup (Static IP)

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How to: ProfiLux Wi-Fi setup (Static IP)

Estimated reading time: 9 min

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About ProfiLux and Wi-Fi connectivity

There are multiple ways to get the ProfiLux connected to your Wi-Fi network. The quickest option is to follow the Initial Setup steps shown here.

NOTE: The Initial Setup steps will get you connected via the AUTO IP method. After you are connected, you can edit the network settings to setup the ProfiLux with a Static IP.

This article will show you the alternate way to connect the ProfiLux controller (4, 4e, Mini, Light) to your Wi-Fi network using the Static IP address method. Depending on the platform you plan to use for this process (GHL Connect app, web interface or GHL Control Center), the steps will be slightly different.

Choose the platform you will be using and follow the steps provided.

Auto IP vs. Static IP: What’s the difference? Which should I use?

The ProfiLux controller can join your Wi-Fi network using either the Auto IP or Static IP method. Even though both options will get you connected, the method you choose will depend on your specific needs. Here is a brief description of each option…

Automatic IP (DHCP): This method allows your Wi-Fi router to automatically assign an available IP address to the ProfiLux controller. With the Auto IP method, your router is free to change and assign a NEW IP address to the ProfiLux at any time. This option is recommended for those who will be connecting to their ProfiLux via myGHL cloud ONLY.

Static IP: Instead of having your router assign an IP address (Auto IP), this method allows you to set a specific IP address for the ProfiLux. The IP address you assign will be locked-in and cannot be changed by the router. If you plan to connect to the ProfiLux MOSTLY over a local connection (when you are within the range of your Wi-Fi network), AND also myGHL cloud, we recommend setting a Static IP.

Want to use the AUTO IP method instead?

The how-to steps for that can be found here:
Initial setup (includes Auto IP setup and basic controller configuration)
Auto IP setup

Are you a mac user?

If yes, we recommend you follow the steps shown in Option 2: Access the ProfiLux Web interface

Wi-Fi setup via GHL Connect app and Web Interface

The process for getting the ProfiLux connected to your Wi-Fi network is identical in BOTH the app and web interface.

FIRST, choose the platform you will be using and follow those steps to get connected…

— Option 1: Connect to ProfiLux hotspot (App)

Power ON the ProfiLux controller and wait 10-15 seconds for the device to fully bootup.
Using your smartphone or tablet, search for nearby Wi-Fi networks and connect to the ProfiLux hotspot signal. Once your phone or tablet is connected to the hotspot, you will see the YELLOW Wi-Fi light on the P4 turn ON.

By default, this will be listed as GHLDEV with Starfish as the password.
Open the GHL Connect app and select your dedicated hotspot connection to connect to the ProfiLux

Don’t have a dedicated hotspot connection? Create one!

Press Add device, select your device, select Add a configured device, press NEXT (leave configure connection page as-is), type-in a name for this connection; ProfiLux hotspot

— Option 2: Access the ProfiLux Web interface

Power ON the ProfiLux controller and wait 10-15 seconds for the device to fully bootup.
Using your device (PC, Mac, iOS or android), search for nearby Wi-Fi networks and connect to the GHLDEV hotspot signal. Once your computer is connected to the hotspot, you will see the YELLOW Wi-Fi light on the P4 turn ON.
Open a web browser and type-in 192.168.4.1 into the address bar to access the web interface
When prompted for the login info, enter the following:Username: Admin
Password: Starfish

The ProfiLux web interface will now load and take you to the Dashboard.

First time connecting via the Web Interface?

When you connect to the web interface for the first time, you will be greeted by the initial setup screen. Follow the provided steps to be taken to the Dashboard.

—- Connect ProfiLux to your network (App & Web interface)

Press the Menu icon (3-bars on top-left), select Network

2. Press the blue-gear icon to the right of Client mode

3. Turn ON Client mode

4. Fill-in the following information:

SSID: Type-in the exact name of your Wi-Fi network here. This is a case-sensitive field. For example, if your network name is Household, type-in Household…typing-in household is NOT THE SAME AS Household
Encryption: Set this to WPA WPA2 PSK; this option works for most Wi-Fi routers
Wi-Fi key: Type-in the exact password to your Wi-Fi network. This is a case-sensitive field. Password123 is NOT THE SAME AS password123 or Password 123

Wi-Fi Maximum Character Limits

To ensure that your GHL device successfully connects to your Wi-Fi network, make sure your network name (SSID) and password contains no more than:

Network Name (SSID): 31 characters
Password: 63 characters

5. Disable Obtain IP address automatically

6. Type-in the Subnet mask and Default gateway of your router

How to find your SUBNET MASK and DEFAULT GATEWAY

This info can be found in your router settings. It can also be found by using windows command prompt, iPhone, iPad or mac.

Windows (Example)

Press windows key and “R” on keyboard at the same time
Type-in cmd then press the “enter” key
Type-in ipconfig then press the “enter” key
Results will show you your Subnet mask and default gateway

iPhone / iPad (Example)

Go to your Wi-Fi settings
Press the information button (i) beside the Wi-Fi network you are connected to
Subnet mask and default gateway will be displayed

7. Type-in the IP address you want to assign to the ProfiLux

*** Above IP address is an example ONLY! ***

How do I know what IP address to assign?

The IP address you assign will depend on how many devices are connected to your network. It will also depend on the DHCP range of your router.

Regardless of the IP address you want to assign, the first set of numbers should be identical to the IP address of your router (Default gateway):

The last set of numbers (.131) can be any number which is not already assigned to another device on your network…. .150 or .200 will work for most users

8. Type 8.8.8.8 into the DNS server field

9. Press APPLY

—- Setup ProfiLux hotspot settings (App & Web interface)

Press the blue-gear icon to the right of Access Point mode
Turn ON Access Point mode
Fill-in the following information:

SSID: Type-in the name you want to give to the P4’s hotspot signal
Encryption: Set this to WPA WPA2 PSK
Wi-Fi key: Type-in the password you want to give to the P4’s hotspot

Benefits of choosing Client & Access Point mode

We recommend choosing this option because it gives you one more way to connect to your controller in-addition to connecting to your Wi-Fi network.

For example, if your home internet goes down one-day and you want to connect to the controller, you will not be able to do so because your controller would no longer be connected to your network.

Here is where the hotspot signal comes in handy…
Since the ProfiLux is emitting its own hotspot signal, you can use your PC, mac, smartphone or tablet to connect to this hotspot signal. Once you are connected to the hotspot, you will be able to connect directly to the device using the GHL Connect app, Web interface or GHL Control Center.

Later in this article, we will provide you with the steps for setting up a dedicated hotspot connection in the app and/or GCC.

IMPORTANT
The information you see here is specific to your P4’s hotspot. The IP address listed (192.168.4.1) is the default IP address of the P4’s hotspot signal. In 99% of cases, the displayed IP address, subnet mask and wireless channel does not need to be changed. You should ONLY change the IP if you happen to have a router with the same IP address.

—- Apply Wi-Fi settings (App & Web interface)

Now that you’ve entered your network settings and desired hotspot settings into the ProfiLux, the next step will be to apply those settings.

Press APPLY
Press SAVE, then confirm by pressing YES

IMPORTANT
Wait 20 – 30 seconds for the ProfiLux to connect to your network. When the middle light on the front of the P4 turns GREEN, the device is connected to your Wi-Fi network. At this time, when you search for nearby Wi-Fi networks, you will also see the customized name of your P4’s hotspot network.

The next step will be to create a dedicated connection in the GHL Connect app or GCC using IP address you assigned…scroll to the bottom of the page and follow the steps for at least one connection option

Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Connect app
Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Control Center

Wi-Fi setup via GHL Control Center

This section will show you another way to get the ProfiLux controller connected to your Wi-Fi network using the STATIC IP method.

— You will need…

In order to proceed, you will need the following:

(Item)	(Purpose)
Windows computer	For running GHL Control Center and connecting via USB
USB cable	For connecting the ProfiLux to your PC
Wi-Fi name / password	Allows the ProfiLux to connect to your Wi-Fi network

— Preliminary step: Download GHL Control Center

Before you proceed with the steps below, you must first download the newest version of GHL Control Center. This program will allow you to access your GHL device settings via a Windows computer.

To download GCC, visit our downloads page and install the program to your PC.

— Connect to ProfiLux via USB (GCC)

Open GHL Control Center (GCC) and connect to your ProfiLux controller via USB

Not sure how to connect via USB?

If you are not sure how to connect over USB, follow the steps shown here. Once you are connected, you may proceed with the steps below.

— Connect ProfiLux to Wi-Fi network (GCC)

Click the (+) icon to the right of System and select Communication

2. Select Client & Access Point mode

Benefits of choosing Client & Access Point mode

We recommend choosing this option because it gives you one more way to connect to your controller in-addition to connecting to your Wi-Fi network.

For example, if your home internet goes down one-day and you want to connect to the controller, you will not be able to do so because your controller would no longer be connected to your network.

Later in this article, we will provide you with the steps for setting up a dedicated hotspot connection in the app and/or GCC.

3. In the Settings for client mode column, fill-in the following information:

SSID: Type-in the exact name of your Wi-Fi network here. This is a case-sensitive field. For example, if your network name is Household, type-in Household…typing-in household is NOT THE SAME AS Household
Encryption: Set this to WPA WPA2 PSK; this option works for most Wi-Fi routers
Wi-Fi key: Type-in the exact password to your Wi-Fi network. This is a case-sensitive field. Password123 is NOT THE SAME AS password123 or Password 123

4. Select Use following settings

5. Type-in the Subnet mask and Default gateway of your router

How to find your SUBNET MASK and DEFAULT GATEWAY

This info can be found in your router settings. It can also be found by using windows command prompt, iPhone, iPad or mac.

Windows (Example)

Press windows key and “R” on keyboard at the same time
Type-in cmd then press the “enter” key
Type-in ipconfig then press the “enter” key
Results will show you your Subnet mask and default gateway

iPhone / iPad (Example)

Go to your Wi-Fi settings
Press the information button (i) beside the Wi-Fi network you are connected to
Subnet mask and default gateway will be displayed

6. Type-in the IP address you want to assign to the ProfiLux

*** Above IP address is an example ONLY! ***

How do I know what IP address to assign?

The IP address you assign will depend on how many devices are connected to your network. It will also depend on the DHCP range of your router.

Regardless of the IP address you want to assign, the first set of numbers should be identical to the IP address of your router (Default gateway):

The last set of numbers (.131) can be any number which is not already assigned to another device on your network…. .150 or .200 will work for most users

7. Type 8.8.8.8 into the DNS server field

— Setup ProfiLux hotspot settings (GCC)

In the Settings for access point mode column, fill-in the following information:

SSID: Type-in the name you want to give to the P4’s hotspot signal
Encryption: Set this to WPA WPA2 PSK
Wi-Fi key: Type-in the password you want to give to the P4’s hotspot

— Apply Wi-Fi settings (GCC)

Now that you’ve entered your network settings and desired hotspot settings into the ProfiLux, the next step will be to apply those settings.

Click Save changes, then Disconnect

Wait 20 – 30 seconds for the ProfiLux to connect to your network. When the middle light on the front of the P4 turns GREEN, the device is connected to your Wi-Fi network. At this time, when you search for nearby Wi-Fi networks, you will also see the customized name of your P4’s hotspot network.

Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Connect app
Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Control Center

— HOW-TO VIDEO: Wi-Fi setup via GCC (Static IP)

IMPORTANT

If you choose to follow the instructions in the video, make sure you set the DNS to 8.8.8.8

This will allow the ProfiLux to connect to myGHL cloud.

Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Connect app

This section will show you how to create a dedicated in the GHL Connect app so you can access the ProfiLux through your Wi-Fi network.

Open the GHL Connect app
In the My Devices page, press ADD DEVICE
Select your GHL device, then press NEXT
Select Add a configured device, then press NEXT

5. In the Host/IP field, type-in the assigned IP address of your ProfiLux controller, then press NEXT

NOTE: This will be the IP address that you have assigned assigned to the P4.

6. Type-in the name you wish to give to this dedicated connection, then press NEXT

7. Select your newly made connection to connect to your ProfiLux.

NOTE: Make sure your smartphone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi: Connect via GHL Control Center

This section will show you how to create a dedicated in GHL Control Center so you can access the ProfiLux through your Wi-Fi network.

Click Administrate (top-left)
Click NEW
Select your ProfiLux controller

4. Set the Type of connection to Network (TCP/IP)

5. Give this connection a name; ProfiLux Wi-Fi

6. In the Host-Name field, type-in the IP address of your ProfiLux

This will be the IP address YOU ASSIGNED to your ProfiLux by your router.

7. Click Save, then click Close

8. Select your newly made connection by either clicking Connect or by double-clicking the respective icon.

RECOMMENDED: Add your ProfiLux to the cloud

If you would like to connect and control your ProfiLux from anywhere in the world, we recommend adding your device to the cloud.

The steps for that can be found here.

Written by: vinny