VVP--Protect console...

[merlinwx]

On the VVP communications settings page, what are the "protect console" boxes for and when should they be checked?

[Andy Thompson]

I think its for if you are sending data over a public network, and you don't want anyone else logging into your console. I think thats what it does...

[linuxfreak]

It stops a piece of weather software from sending "bad" commands to the console, like writing to the EEPROM memory!  Sorta turns that port into "read only".

George

[tinplate]

Yes, the protect console feature is for when you have the virtual console ports exposed to the internet when you want to connect to the station remotely. It tells VirtualVP to quietly ignore commands that change anything in the console such as setting the time, calibrating the sensors, writing to EEPROM, etc. It makes the virtual console "read-only".

[merlinwx]

Ok, think I get it now.  So, I should check the 'protect console' box next to any weather SW I'm using to send data to the internet, e.g., WD messages to twitter and WU, and VPLive messages to CWOP/APRS?

[tinplate]

When you really want to use "protect console" is when someone can connect directly to a VirtualVP port from the internet. Usually you have to have your computer connected directly to the internet (not behind a router), or if it's behind a router, you will have had to set up the router to forward port requests to the computer running VirtualVP. You don't need it if your weather programs are just sending data out to the internet.