internet access to apex for computer novice
 

All

I really apologize as I know this is a frequent topic on this forum but I need help getting my new apex working either within my home network or outside my home network.

I had it working inside my home network and was working through the different steps to get it accessible from the outside and messed something up. Now I can't access it at all and don't know what to do.

I am not computer savvy at all and probably should not have attempted this. I have a neptune apex system, hard wired with a ethernet cable to a cisco wireless router. My Macbook pro is connected to the cisco wireless router, wirelessly.

Anyone out there able to walk me through what I need to do to fix the problem?

thanks in advance!

Did you change the http port in the Apex? If so, you need to access it by adding the new port at the end of the address you use in your browser, like this: http://192.168.1.50:nnnn (where nnnn = the port you used)

Otherwise, list all of the current Apex network settings here, and post a screen shot of the router's LAN setup page or the output of 'ipconfig' from your PC.

Yup adding the port to the address allowed me to get back into the AquaController from my computer

Here are the AquaController settings
DHCP: Disabled
AquaControllers IP address: 192.168.1.35
Netmask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS server: 184.63.96.68
Secondary DNS server: 184.63.96.69
HTTP port: 1593

Here are the router settings
Internet connection type: static IP
internet IP address: 184.20.114.180
subnet mask: 255.255.252.0
default gateway: 184.20.112.1
DNS 1: 184.63.96.68
DNS 2: 184.63.96.69
Router Address: 192.168.1.1
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
DHCP server: Enabled
Start Address: 192.168.1.100
max users: 50
IP address range: 192.168.1.100 to 149
Static DNS 1: 184.63.96.68
Static DNS 2: 184.63.96.69

There are lots of other settings in the router program. If I need to list something else please let me know.

Here is a note I sent to someone else on this topic

I set up an account with DYNDNS and it looks like my router has this built in under DDNS. The directions in the unofficial user guide doesn't match my router exactly and I don't want to mess anything up.

I just did a test using the info provided, and got a login prompt - so it looks like you got the port forwarding right. :dance:

For the DDNS setup in your router, just choose dyndns.com (might be dyndns.org), then enter your dyndns hostname, and the username and password you used for DynDNS. Don't enable any of the options which may be there, like wildcards.

Wow, I did something right on the computer:)

What address do I use to access it from outside my home network? and the aqua controllers IP address is now static so it won't change at home, right?

Still trying to learn this IP, router, etc stuff.

You won't use an IP address... use the dyndns hostname... that's why you created it. If/when your public, ISP-assigned IP adress changes, the router's DDNS function will detect that, and then update your dyddns account so that your hostname is always mapped to your current public IP address.

gotcha

so here is the issue, now.

on my home network when I type in the host name it takes me to the routers setup page

off my home network I get an error message saying the server where the page is located isn't responding

must have something wrong still

That's expected with some routers. When at home, use the 192.168.1.35 address. When away, use THE Dynamic DNS hostname.

If using the iPhone app, just define two controllers... One for home and one for away.

Hang on for a moment.... You said hostname. Did you include the port too in the URL?

That is the way to do it.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

OK, easy enough to have the two settings, one for away and one for at home.

I added the port to the back of the .com hostname and it takes me to the routers set up page. How do I get it to direct me to the Apex?

PS - thanks for all the help!

Russ... are you sure you got the login prompt for the Apex? I just did the same thing and got a login prompt for a Linksys E3200. I'm thinking nezw doesn't have port forwarding set up correctly, and that's the problemo.

Hmmm... earlier, I did get a generic login prompt. Now, I get nothing at all.

nezw0001, please post a screen shot of the port forwarding page from your router.

OK could someone please give me a brief description on how to post a screen shot?

I had to switch my MacBook and the router back to DHCP just to get the internet to work today. Have no idea why it was working fine last night with the settings for static IP and then nothing this morning. GRR.

You should not have turned off DHCP in the Mac or router.... only in the Apex.

Use the Grab utility (http://www.ehow.com/how_4597938_pict...ac-screen.html). Then upload the image files to a photo-sharing site site like photobucket or a file-sharing site like Dropbox. Then, here on RC use the http://s.reefcentral.com/forums/imag...nsertimage.gif button to add a link to the pictures in a post.

Ok here are some of the screens that seem like they would be most important.

Here is the main screen

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49709142/main%20screen.tiff

Here is the DDNS screen

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49709142/DDNS%20screen.tiff

Here is what I presume is the port forwarding screen

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49709142/sin...g%20sceen.tiff

Hope this works

On your DDNS setup, where did you get that IP address - did you use something like 'whatsmyip.com' ? Is it correct?

also, your port forwarding isn't setup. You want external port to be something like 1234, internal port can be 80 (assuming that's still what it is on the Apex, if not change the Apex and reboot or use the port defined in the Apex instead of 80), forward 'both' to the IP address of your Apex. Make sure you check the enable box and then update.

then to test, use 'http://apex.dyndns-home.com:1234' from some device not running on your home network.

I think it came up with that IP address by its self - not sure but I confirmed it just now with whatsmyip and it matches.

I made the suggested changes and here is my changed screen shot.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49709142/main%20screen.tiff

I can access apex by typing in the IP address with 1593 port but when I go through DYNDNS address with the 1593 port it takes me to my routers setup page. The apex is set to 1593.

Sounds like you got things straightened out, because with some routers, if you try to access using the DYNDNS address from *within* your home network you'll end up with the router's login screen.

Have a neighbor or friend try and access the Apex using your DYNDNS address. Or if your phone has internet access, turn off the WIFI (on your phone) and try accessing the DYNDNS address over the cell network.

Something is still not right... I get the router login now like kurt did earlier.

Have you done anything with the router's remote management feature, like tell it to use port 1593?

Post an updated screenshot of the router's port forwarding page.

Yup I still get the routers log in when trying to access it outside my network i.e. off my phone with wifi turned off.

here is the updated port forwarding page - yes I told it to use 1593

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/49709142/por...rding%202.tiff

Thanks for all the help