WL IP doesn't transmit to website? RESOLVED!

[dalecoy]

i have just tried linking the pc using a patch ethernet cable to a router that is not connected to the school network. i have then plugged the ip logger into the same router using a patch cable.

I can "find" the logger but cannot connect or get any data.

perhaps it just needs a crossover ethernet cable from pc to logger?

No, if both are plugged into a router, then regular ("patch") cables are correct.  It's something else. 

I recommend calling Davis for assistance. 

[m77]

really?

will look into it.

update - the school tech teacher has sent a fax off to RM asking to open up port 80 and 22222.

they needed to know the IP address of the server the info is sent to??

i just said it was weatherlink.com - they should be be able to work it out from that i think.

i will get a crossover at the weekend and try it on Monday.

Any advice on WL IP address?

[m77]

edit: think it is

67.94.24.171

[d_l]

I just did what you you are trying to do and I learned this:

1) A crossover cable is mandatory.  A straight patch cable would not light up the WLIP LED or the LED on my NIC.  Your NIC may be fancy and auto switch the necessary pairs. Some routers and switches can do this.  My NIC can't.

2) The "traveling" receiver and WLIP retains the DHCP IP that it was originally assigned when plugged into the network unless you happen to pull the batteries from the receiver device, e.g. console or Envoy.

3) The WLIP and console will let you download out the archived data. I did!  If there is a failure, the problem is due to the settings on your computer, e.g. a software firewall blocking ports or perhaps you computer is on the wrong subnet from the WLIP.

[dalecoy]

I just did what you you are trying to do and I learned this:

1) A crossover cable is mandatory.  A straight patch cable would not light up the WLIP LED or the LED on my NIC.  Your NIC may be fancy and auto switch the necessary pairs. Some routers and switches can do this.  My NIC can't.

2) The "traveling" receiver and WLIP retains the DHCP IP that it was originally assigned when plugged into the network unless you happen to pull the batteries from the receiver device, e.g. console or Envoy.

3) The WLIP and console will let you download out the archived data. I did!  If there is a failure, the problem is due to the settings on your computer, e.g. a software firewall blocking ports or perhaps you computer is on the wrong subnet from the WLIP.

I'm a bit confused on configurations.  I thought that muppet77 was connecting both devices (computer and WeatherLinkIP) to a router, using two regular patch cables.  I thought that because of: "i have just tried linking the pc using a patch ethernet cable to a router that is not connected to the school network. i have then plugged the ip logger into the same router using a patch cable."

If that's the configuration, then I don't understand why a crossover cable would be required.  Shouldn't a straight patch cable light up the WLIP LED?

On the other hand, I comprehend why a crossover cable would be required if directly connecting the WLIP to the computer (NIC).

What am I misunderstanding here? 

Of course, the information you found in (2) could very well be why muppet77's connection didn't work -- different subnet.

Anyhow, thanks for doing those tests and sharing the results.  There's certainly lots of info there that's not otherwise available.

[Footnote for d_l: the "must be able to communicate with weatherlink.com" symptom that I mentioned elsewhere, was apparently only with versions 1.03 and prior - and was really "must be able to obtain an IP address".]

[m77]

thanks guys - as you say i don't think even the Davis techs know the stuff being explored here!

once again i need it dumbing down so i can understand it!

i plan to try out:
logger+console > crossover ethernet cable > pc (not linked to WAN or LAN)

i got a fail from:
logger+console > patch ethernet cable > router < patch ethernet cable < pc (not WAN nor LAN)

in situation number 2, the router was not connected to the main school network - i pulled the cable so not to confuse the situation, but it had a power supply

i don't see the need for the router if i can get a crossover cable - does all of the above concur with what you both say and have found?

if not could one of please try out


logger > crossover > laptop ?

[d_l]

The first method listed should work IF:

1) there is no software firewall, e.g., Zone Alarm, XP's firewall, etc., on your computer blocking the port 22222

2) AND the subnet your computer is on has a wide enough mask to be able to access whatever IP has been assigned to the WLIP.  This is a basic network setup problem. It is easy enough to find out what your computer's IP and mask are by entering and running "ipconfig" from the CMD line prompt, but I don't know an easy way to get the IP out of the WLIP.  If you can get the IP out of it, you would already be able to download data from it and not have to bother with these networking details.

I already did the first method here. Works like a charm for me.

[DaculaWeather]

I use to use WSPingPro to scan a network for devices. You can still get it and it will work for 30 days for free.

[m77]

thanks guys, i will purchase a crossover tomorrow and test it on Monday.

If that fails, then i will wait until RM unblock ports for me which will take "around a week".

I just want to see the data!!!!!

[d_l]

Angry IP could do it, but it might take quite a while if a wide ranging scan was started.

[DaculaWeather]

I'll try that one next time.

I know with PingPro a scan of my home network only took about a minute or less.

[dalecoy]

,,,what d_l said. 

Try the method with the crossover cable.

The method using the router and two patch cables should work, also, if you first power down the WeatherLinkIP (follow the console and weatherlink manuals for the sequence of removing the batteries, unplugging the logger, waiting, and starting it up again).  That should make the WLIP get a new IP address from the router.

[m77]

Right got myself a crossover cable and will try on monday. Which comm settings did you have in the software?

[d_l]

It probably doesn't matter which setting you use.  The WLIP has to have an IP which it gets from the DHCP server in the last router it was connected to.

You can try with the Local Device ID.  That method might have more flexibility if the devices, the computer and WLIP,  are on different subnets, but I'm really just guessing about that.  We don't know enough about how the WLIP works (or not) in such a situation.

Edit: Have you tried this Davis network tool on your network? The data it provides might help once you get your crossover connector in place.

[m77]

thanks Dave, the network tool was suggested by davis themselves - i had to send a text file back to them.

This is my plan. If #1 fails go to #2. If #2 fails go to #3:

1. I will plug in the crossover and try it.

2. I will then reboot the console and then try it with crossover.

3. I will wait until the ports are opened by RM (1 week estimate??) - the fax has been sent!

just looking forward to the day when i post a link on here to the school website with all the data uploading automatically 24/7. 

[m77]

should the crossover be a simple plug and play or do i need to configure networks etc?

can't wait for monday morning!

[d_l]

Should be plug and play, but nothing about your school network has been that easy.

[m77]

Thanks dave! I will update you with my progress but I expect problems.

 I will boot up the pc without plugging in the network cable and the wireless switched off so it doesn't connect to the school lan. The firewalls will then just be those installed on the computer, and we'll see what happens.

[d_l]

I think if you boot the PC without it connected to you LAN it will end up without an IP and XP will assign the APIPA one which is definitely not in your schools subnets.

So you have to boot the PC and then disconnect it from the network after the boot has finished.  Actually that is what I did when I connected here, but my laptop is set to a static IP and not on DHCP.

[m77]

Ah ok dave. Good knowledge.

[m77]

just tried the crossover and no luck.

When i searched for a device - nothing found.

(that's with no cnnection to the school LAN etc as discussed)

[d_l]

Are you getting a physical connection?  The LEDs on your NIC and the one the WLIP would light up.

[m77]

yes the LED on the console lights up.

what is the NIC? my laptop?

[dalecoy]

Yes, the NIC is the "Network Interface Card" in your Laptop.  What you plug the cable into (sorta).

As I said before, I recommend calling Davis technical support for assistance.

The difficulty could be a bad WeatherLinkIP, or some aspect of the software/firmware that we just don't understand yet.  Please report back with the results.

[m77]

i have tried ringing Davis but never get through.

i have taken the logger home and tried on my home network and it worked a treat, so i don't think that it is the logger.

I can't really see a light on my PC at all??

(i am using a crossover link)