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Connecting to "hidden" networks, those requiring extra authentication, or via static IP address

Some Wi-Fi networks need a few more details before they'll let your SlingStudio in!

Some Wi-Fi networks ask for a bit more than just the basic password. These include:

  • "Hidden" networks, or those that don't display their SSID (network name) and therefore don't show up in a list of available Wi-Fi networks;
  • Second-level authentication (or captive portal) Wi-Fi networks, which require you to sign in using a web page. These are often found in hotels and public spaces.
  • Networks that require you to connect using a static (fixed) IP address.

The SlingStudio Console app can work with most of these kinds of networks.

To connect to a hidden network:

  1. Go to Internet settings within the SlingStudio Console app:
    1. iPad: Tap the Settings icon (it's the gear icon in the upper-left corner), then tap Internet Settings.
    2. Mac: Click Internet from the buttons in the lower-right corner of the Console screen. (Click the + symbol if you don't see it ... it may be hidden.)
  2. Under CHOOSE A NETWORK, you see a list of available Wi-Fi networks. At the bottom of the list, tap/click Other …
    The OTHER NETWORKS dialog box appears.
  3. Enter the hidden Wi-Fi network's name, security type, encryption type, and password.
    It's important to get the security info correct. If you're not sure, check with the network's owner.
  4. Tap Join to join the network and return to the list of Wi-Fi networks.
    If the information was entered correctly, the SlingStudio unit connects to the Wi-Fi network.
  5. Need to connect using a static (fixed) IP address?
    1. At the far right of the listing for the hidden network that you just joined, tap the blue circled "i" icon.
      The network's IP address dialog box opens.
    2. To the right of Configure IP, tap Automatic and change the setting to Manual.
      Additional settings appear.
    3. Tap the settings to edit the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Router entries using the figures provided by the network's administrator.
    4. Tap SAVE, then close the IP address dialog box.
  6. Close the Internet Settings window.

To connect to a Wi-Fi network requiring second-level authentication:

  1. Go to Internet settings within the SlingStudio Console app:
    1. iPad: Tap the Settings icon (it's the gear icon in the upper-left corner), then tap Internet Settings.
    2. Mac: Click Internet from the buttons in the lower-right corner of the Console screen. (Click the + symbol if you don't see it ... it may be hidden.)
  2. Under CHOOSE A NETWORK, you see a list of available Wi-Fi networks. Tap the Wi-Fi network that you want to join.
    The Wi-Fi network opens a web page on your iPad.
  3. Enter the necessary network credentials (name, password, etc.) in the web page.
  4. Click Done in the top-right corner after you enter your network credentials.
  5. Go back to the SlingStudio Console app. Tap the Settings icon in the upper-left corner (it looks like a gear) and then tap Internet Settings.
  6. If your SlingStudio is properly connected to the Internet, you see Internet is available at the top of this section.

Remember that second-level authentication networks may have time limits. If this is a concern, and you didn't see any information about this on the Wi-Fi network's sign-in page, then check with the Wi-Fi network's administrators.

What if a blank page displays when you're trying to perform the second-level authentication?

That can happen sometimes. Here's what you do:

  1. Open the Safari browser on your iPad.
  2. In Safari, go to http://myip.sling.com/.
    Doing this should provide a way that you can enter your network credentials to sign in to the Wi-Fi network.
  3. Once you've connected the SlingStudio unit to the Wi-Fi network, return to the Console app to confirm the connection.
  4. In the upper-left corner of the SlingStudio Console app, tap the settings icon (it looks like a gear).
  5. Tap Internet Settings.
    If your SlingStudio is properly connected to the Wi-Fi network, you should see Internet available at the top of that section.

Best practice—After this, confirm that the Wi-Fi network that you just connected to offers sufficient speed for your needs:

  1. Go to the Dashboard (tap the dial icon in the upper-left corner of the SlingStudio Console app).
  2. Under INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, look for Upload Speed.
  3. Tap the circular arrow to check the upload speed offered by the Wi-Fi network.
    After taking a few moments to determine it, the available upload speed displays.