Use WiFi or static IPs

Learn how to use WiFi or static IPs when configuring your BrightSign mediaplayer with AccessKit.

AccessKit mediaplayers need an internet connection to provide timestamp synchronization signals, fetch new content, and receive control messages (pause, play, etc.). In order to do this, there are a few options for providing internet connectivity:

Hard-wired ethernet connection (recommended)
Wi-Fi connection (BrightSign WiFi chip needed)

Additionally, DHCP and static IP assignment can both be configured.

Configuring both is managed via the mediaplayer networking page, which can be found at:

https://<your-subdomain>.accesskit.cc/admin/mediaplayer/networking

Hard-wired Ethernet Connection

By default, all AccessKit mediaplayers are configured to work with ethernet connections. Simply plug in an ethernet cable to the AccessKit mediaplayer before booting it up and it should automatically join the network.

Wi-Fi

To configure Wi-Fi, first check off the Use Wi-Fi box on the mediaplayer networking page. This will bring up a form with fields for entering your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password.

BrightSign WiFi Chip Required

The BrightSign WiFi chip is required to use Wi-Fi. If you do not have a WiFi chip, you will need to use an ethernet connection.

Enterprise WiFi

If you are using an enterprise WiFi network with username/password authentication rather than SSID/password, you will need to contact your IT administrator to see if they can set up a separate network for any BrightSign mediaplayers which only requires an SSID and password.

Static IP vs DHCP

If you need to use static IP address assignment, check off Use Static IP, which will bring up a new form. Enter the information in the appropriate fields. If you have questions on what to enter, conctact your IT administrator or write to us with subject BrightSign IP Configuration Help.

Form Fields

Field	Type	Description
Use WiFi?	`boolean`	Whether to use a Wi-Fi connection instead of the Ethernet connection
WiFi SSID	`string`	The name of your Wi-Fi network (only visible if Use WiFi? is checked)
WiFi Password	`string`	The password for your Wi-Fi network (only visible if Use WiFi? is checked)
Use Static IP?	`boolean`	Whether to use a static IP address instead of DHCP
IP Address	`IP string`	The IP address to use for the mediaplayer (only visible if Use Static IP? is checked)
Netmask	`IP string`	The netmask to use for the mediaplayer (only visible if Use Static IP? is checked)
Default Gateway	`IP string`	The gateway to use for the mediaplayer (only visible if Use Static IP? is checked)
Broadcast	`IP string`	The broadcast address to use for the mediaplayer (only visible if Use Static IP? is checked)
DNS	`IP string`	The DNS server to use for the mediaplayer (only visible if Use Static IP? is checked)
Download Script Bundle?	`boolean`	Whether to download the full script bundle or just `network.json` config file. If updating an existing mediaplayer which was previously configured with AccessKit, this should be unchecked and the `network.json` file placed on the mediaplayer's SD card will be used to update the network config.

Deploying the Network Config

If you are deploying to a mediaplayer which is already running AccessKit, click the Get Network Config button to download a new file called network.json. The file contents will look like this (depending on your configuration):

{
  "useStaticIP": true,
  "ipAddress": "192.168.0.100",
  "netmask": "255.255.255.0",
  "gateway": "192.168.0.1",
  "broadcast": "192.168.0.255",
  "dns": "8.8.8.8",
  "useWifi": true,
  "wifiSSID": "yourWiFiNetworkName",
  "wifiPASS": "your_supersecret_password"
}

Place this file on the mediaplayer's SD card and restart the mediaplayer for it to connect automatically.

If you are deploying to a new mediaplayer, click Check to download full script bundle, and then Get Script Bundle, which will download the entire autorun.zip package, which you can then place on the mediaplayer and proceed with the normal registration workflow.

Resetting the Network Config

Simply delete the network.json file from the mediaplayer's SD card and reboot the mediaplayer. This will reset the mediaplayer to the default settings (ethernet connection expected, DHCP).