> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.motus.org/sensorgnome/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.motus.org/sensorgnome/setup-and-operation/connecting-to-your-sensorgnome.md).

# Connecting to your SensorGnome

In order to check the status of a SensorGnome, download data, or modify the configuration, you must first connect to it using a laptop or phone. The primary method is by connecting to a WiFi hotspot that the SG broadcasts (Option 1).

{% hint style="danger" %}
Before you start, look at the LED lights on the Raspberry Pi. The green LED should display a characteristic flashing pattern.

* Green LED flashing **once**. Booted up and operating normally. Hotspot has been turned off \[this is uncommon].
* Green LED flashing **twice**. Booted up and operating normally. Hotspot should be *on*.
* Green LED flashing **three times**. Booted up, operating normally, and connected to the internet. Hotspot should be *on*.

If, a few minutes after booting up, you see anything other than this pattern, there is likely something wrong with the software card, a faulty power supply, or bad hardware.
{% endhint %}

## Option 1: Connect via WiFi hotspot <a href="#wifi" id="wifi"></a>

By default, a SensorGnome broadcasts a WiFi hotspot whenever it is powered on, assuming it is functioning normally. The WiFi hotspot *only* serves to establish a connection between the SG and your computer or phone; it does not connect the SG to the internet.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can use either a laptop of smartphone to connect to a SensorGnome. However, due to the larger screen for working, ease of downloading files, taking full-page screenshots, and other benefits, a laptop is usually preferred if available.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect to the SG's hotspot

The ***WiFi network name*** corresponds to the SensorGnome's unique serial number, e.g. `SG-3BEERPI36FDA`. The ***WiFi password*** is set when the SensorGnome is configured immediately after a fresh software installation. If the SG's WiFi hotspot name ends with a `-init` suffix, it has not been [initialized](/sensorgnome/setup-and-operation/initial-software-installation.md#initial-configuration) and does not yet have a password.

<figure><img src="/files/SKVeNcB25bdV7TsDqn0n" alt=""><figcaption><p>Several SensorGnomes are running and within WiFi range of this location. The last SG, with the <code>-init</code> suffix following the serial number, has not yet been initialized.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open a web browser and follow the prompts to log in to the network

Once connected to the SG's WiFi hotspot, you will still need to log in to view the web interface. The SG uses what's referred to as a **captive portal** for this, which will be familiar to anyone who has accessed WiFi in an airport or hotel that has required them to log in first. Your browser might automatically open up this page for you, or you may need to click on the "Open browser and connect" option in your WiFi network settings (the appearance of which will vary depending on your computer or phone operating system. Or your browser might display a banner prompting you to log in to the network.

<figure><img src="/files/g8kBlWQahGc5UAugrSSr" alt=""><figcaption><p>The hotspot doesn't provide access to the internet, but the "login" page (the captive portal) is how you access the SG web interface.</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/tcOyc19CImGTzvFnEN8k" alt="" width="539"><figcaption><p>Your browser may display a prompt like this to direct you to the captive portal</p></figcaption></figure>

If you *don't* see any prompt or message directing you to the captive portal, you may need to visit it directly. You can access it at either of the links below.

* [**`http://192.168.7.2`**](http://192.168.7.2/)
* [**`http://sgpi.local`**](http://sgpi.local/)

{% hint style="info" %}
Bookmark these links in your web browser so that you can easily navigate to them in the future.
{% endhint %}

You should now see a webpage with something like the page below. This is the captive portal, and is directing you to the *actual* web interface page. **Click on either of the two links.**

<figure><img src="/files/Am7BduNqgNIXnuu4GFZr" alt="" width="510"><figcaption><p>The captive portal provides two options for accessing the web interface, along with an option to disable the captive portal itself</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Enter the credentials for the web interface**

Having clicked on either of the two links in the captive portal, you should now see the web interface log in page. The ***username*** is already prepopulated as `gnome`. The ***password*** is the same as the WiFi password you just used to connect to the hotspot.

<figure><img src="/files/ROAPYZj1YF8DMygta5WW" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>SG login dialog. The username is always gnome, and the password is the same as the WiFi hotspot password.</p></figcaption></figure>

Once logged in, you'll see something like this. You are now in the web interface and can continue to configuring the SG, downloading data, or just checking its status.

<figure><img src="/files/uzbRkuO36vigjulBU7hq" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>The SensorGnome Web Interface</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

#### **Troubleshooting and tips**

The hot-spot acts as a "captive portal", which means that it looks to your computer/phone like a WiFi network typical of airports or hotels where you have to enter credentials or accept an agreement to get internet access. However, the SensorGnome never actually provides internet access...

Some of the issues users have encountered are:

* a web browser automatically opens to show the SensorGnome's web UI, but it may be a special system browser and not your regular browser (on iOS that browser seems not to show certain charts)
* your computer/phone may become "impatient" about not getting internet access and decide to switch back to your regular WiFi
* if using Android, your phone may use the cellular network instead of the hotspot and you most likely have to turn cellular/mobile off

In many cases the hot-spot "just works" but being aware of the potential issues helps.

If you get stuck and "it doesn't work" check that your computer/phone is still connected to the hot-spot. You can also connect to the SensorGnome using your favorite browser at `http://192.168.7.2` to avoid the system browser.

When a device connects to the hot-spot it detects that there is no internet connection (because the hot-spot only provides access to the SensorGnome ). It then assumes that this is a "captive portal", which means that the user has to connect to a specific web site to log in or agree to some legal terms before getting internet access. This is typical of WiFi in public locations, e.g. airport, hotel, or coffee shop.

In order to facilitate the required login or acceptance of terms your device starts a web browser which connects to the SensorGnome's web UI. This usually works well and allows you to use the UI. However, depending on the device and on other available WiFi networks you may run into issues. The main cause for issues is that your device expects to eventually get internet access but the SensorGnome will never provide that, so your device may take actions in an effort to restore internet access. Specifically, your device may decide to disconnect from the SensorGnome hot-spot and connect to some other network, such as a previously working one.

Tips:

* If your device prompts you with a message stating that this network does not provide internet access and whether you want to stay connected anyway choose the option to stay connected.
* If the web UI stops working, check whether your device disconnected from the hot-spot and connected to a different network. If so, reconnect to the hot-spot.
* Ensure you have no VPN active
* The web browser used in the captive portal mode (i.e. to allow you to log-in or accept terms) may not be the regular web browser you use on your device. If it does not work well or is closed on you open your standard browser and try `http://192.168.7.2` or `http://sgpi.local`.
* If the captive portal ends up being broken or too confusing turn it off on the landing page at `http://192.168.7.2`, `http://sgpi.local`. Then possibly disconnect and reconnect to the hot-spot and navigate to one of the those two URLs explicitly by bringing up a browser. Your device operating system will warn about "no internet access" and some "stay connected anyway" setting may be necessary.
* If your laptop is struggling to connect to the WiFi hotspot, try a smartphone; or vice versa.
* If nothing works, try connecting via Ethernet

## Option 2: Connect via Ethernet <a href="#ethernet" id="ethernet"></a>

With a computer, you can connect directly to your SensorGnome with an Ethernet cable. This can be helpful if you are having difficulties with the WiFi hotspot, but the SG itself still seems to be running properly based on the green LED pattern.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect an Ethernet cable to both the RPi and your computer

Wait a minute or so for the connection to be established. The lights on the Ethernet port on the RPi and/or your computer should start flashing to indicate activity. It nothing happens here, that's an indication that something else is wrong (bad Ethernet cable,&#x20;
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Open a browser and visit `sgpi.local`

For an Ethernet connection, `sgpi.local` is likely to be the only method of accessing the web interface (`192.168.7.2` will probably not work).
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Follow the instructions in the browser to access the web interface

If you get a security warning about an insecure site, click "Advanced" option, and "Proceed to sgpi.local".

<figure><img src="/files/9rtqtdIgGWGzGA0SZwPA" alt="" width="548"><figcaption><p>If you get a notice about an insecure site, proceed to spgi.local anyway</p></figcaption></figure>

Select the appropriate link from the options presented. If you see an option for `Ethernet`, choose this. Otherwise try the `WiFi Client` option, or `sgpi.local`. Anything beginning with `192.168.7.2` is unlikely to work if you are not connected to the WiFi hotspot.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/8A7nmhPOnu78my2uhzD0" alt="" width="526"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/5szgpTSINcR69nm4cGaX" alt=""><figcaption><p>Sometimes the <code>Ethernet</code> option is not available but either <code>sgpi.local</code> again or whichever option is <strong>not</strong> <code>WiFi hotspot</code> should work.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### You should now be connected to the web interface

{% hint style="info" %}
When connected via Ethernet, you should use the hostname `sgpi.local` any time you need to specify it, such as establishing a [FTP](/sensorgnome/setup-and-operation/downloading-data.md#using-an-ftp-client) connection or [SSH](/sensorgnome/appendix/ssh-into-a-sensorgnome.md) session.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Option 3: Connect to your SensorGnome via Internet

If your SensorGnome and your laptop/phone are both connected to the internet AND on the same WiFi or Ethernet network, you can connect to it this way. This can be helpful in cases where the WiFi hotspot method described above is not working.

1. First: verify that your SG's green LED shows 3 flashes every 2 seconds. If it doesn't, your RPi SG does not have internet access.
2. Open the SensorGnome Hub (SGhub) website at <https://www.sensorgnome.net>, logging in with your Motus user name and password when prompted.
3. The table at the top shows the most recently initialized SensorGnomes: yours may already be at the top! You can identify it using the label column which should show the hostname you entered.

<figure><img src="/files/ubt0bzOQ3axCyFFE2VF5" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Click on the row with your SensorGnome, this switches to the station tab; at the top-right is a link to the web UI:

<figure><img src="/files/m4nTleWWePA6NAb4rVus" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. If you have already configured your SG with a password, enter it when prompted. If this SG has not yet been initialized, you'll have the opportunity to set its password here.

<figure><img src="/files/cMO9bet71pw3Giu82Z7p" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You are now connected to the web UI

<figure><img src="/files/84V74FmeGirmNCp6ISy6" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


---

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