🥧WLAN Pi

Learn how to use various WLAN Pi models for site surveys with Hamina Onsite.

The WLAN Pi is a community-developed device that is outfitted with Wi-Fi measurement and troubleshooting tools. The WLAN Pi can be used for site surveying and troubleshooting Wi-Fi with the Hamina Onsite app.

The WLAN Pi has been available in several different form factors, all with wildly different connectivity options. Conversely, host survey devices (such as iPads, iPads, and MacBooks) have varying connectivity options, which makes connecting some combinations of WLAN Pi and host survey device a challenge.

In this article, we'll discuss all of the WLAN Pi models, and their unique connection challenges.

WLAN Pi Overview

This table compares all WLAN Pi models:

WLAN Pi	NEO2	Pro	R4	M4
Wi-Fi adapters	1	2	0	1
Availability	Discontinued	Discontinued	Available	Available
Power	via host device	via internal battery	via host device	via external battery
USB connection	✅	✅	✅	❌
Bluetooth	❌	✅	✅	✅
Lightning iPhone	❌	via Camera Adapter	❌	❌
USB-C iPhone	✅	✅	✅	❌
Lighting iPad	❌	via Camera Adapter	❌	❌
USB-C iPad	✅	✅	✅	❌
Apple Silicon MacBook	✅	✅	✅	❌

WLAN Pi NEO2

The WLAN Pi NEO2 has a single USB-C connector which provides it power and USB data, which limits host survey device compatibility. There is no Bluetooth connectivity on the WLAN Pi NEO2.

✅ Wired compatibility:

• USB-C iPads

• iPhone 15 Pro

• Apple Silicon MacBooks

❌ Not Compatible with:

• Lightning iPads

• Lightning iPhones

• iPhone 15 (which does not supply enough power)

WLAN Pi Pro

The WLAN Pi Pro has a USB-C port for both charging and data, and it has a built-in battery. Since it supplies it's own power, it has the widest compatibility with host survey devices. It also has Bluetooth, which can be used to connect to any host survey device.

✅ USB connection compatibility:

• USB-C iPads (via USB-C to USB-C cable)

• USB-C iPhones (via USB-C to USB-C cable)

• Lightning iPads (via Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter and USB-A to USB-C cable)

• Lightning iPhones (via Apple Lightning to USB camera adapter and USB-A to USB-C cable)

• Apple Silicon MacBooks (via USB-C to USB-A hub or adapter and USB-A to USB-C cable)

There is a USB issue on the WLAN Pi Pro that prevents it from establishing a data connection to an Apple Silicon MacBooks with a normal USB-C cable. To work around this issue, a USB-C to USB-A hub or adapter and USB-A to USB-C cable is required.

Alternatively, the WLAN Pi Pro can be connected to an iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth.

WLAN Pi R4

The WLAN Pi R4 has a USB-C port for both external power and data. Some host survey devices can power the WLAN Pi R4 directly from their USB port, enabling a wired connection.

✅ USB connection compatible with:

• USB-C iPads (via USB-C to USB-C cable)

• iPhone 15 Pro (via USB-C to USB-C cable)

• Apple Silicon MacBooks (via USB-C to USB-C cable)

❌ USB connection not compatible with:

• Lightning iPads

• Lightning iPhones

Alternatively, it is possible to power a WLAN Pi R4 with a USB battery pack, and connect it to an iPhone or iPad with Bluetooth.

WLAN Pi M4

The WLAN Pi M4 has a USB-C port, but it is only for power, and does not provide a data connection. As a result, the M4 does not offer any wired connection solutions. It must be powered with a battery pack, and connected to an iPad or iPhone via Bluetooth.

While we haven't tried it or tested it, you might be able to find a creative solution with an Ethernet adapter and short Ethernet cable. Got nuts, and let us know what you find. 😁

Setting up WLAN Pi

To use the WLAN Pi with Hamina Onsite, we'll need to:

1. Write the latest release of WLAN Pi OS to the WLAN Pi

2. Install wlanpi-onsite-server

3. Connect the WLAN Pi to the host survey device (iPad, iPhone, MacBook)

4. Configure Hamina Onsite to use the WLAN Pi

Installing and Updating Onsite Server

Before surveying, we need to install a software package on the WLAN Pi.

A working knowledge of the command line, SSH, and Debian is required to install the software package on the WLAN Pi.

We currently only offer instructions for macOS.

1. Update your WLAN Pi to the latest stable image:

   1. WLAN Pi Pro, R4, and M4

   2. WLAN Pi NEO2

2. Download the wlan-pi-onsite-server Debian package.

3. Connect the WLAN Pi to the host machine, and boot it up.

4. On the host machine, scp the Debian package to your WLAN Pi:: scp wlanpi-onsite-server.deb wlanpi@169.254.42.1:/home/wlanpi

5. SSH into the WLAN Pi: ssh wlanpi@169.254.42.1

6. Install the Debian package: sudo dpkg -i /home/wlanpi/wlanpi-onsite-server.deb

7. Restart the onsite-server with: sudo systemctl restart onsite-server

8. onsite-server is now ready for use, and will automatically start on boot.

Connecting via USB

1. Boot up the WLAN Pi.

2. Connect it to your host survey device (iPad, iPhone or Apple Silicon MacBook) with whatever cables are required. Note: see the WLAN Pi Overview to determine which adapters and cables you'll need.

3. On iPhone and iPad, check the Settings app for the Ethernet line item. If Ethernet appears on the list, the WLAN Pi has successfully established a network connection to the iPhone or iPad.
4. On macOS, check the System Settings app > Network section for the RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget line item. If RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget appears on the list, the WLAN Pi has successfully established a network connection with the MacBook.

Connecting via Bluetooth

1. Boot up the WLAN Pi.

2. On the WLAN Pi, use the buttons and menu to enable Bluetooth and enable pairing mode.

3. On the iPhone or iPad, use the Settings app to pair the iPhone or iPad with the WLAN Pi over Bluetooth.

4. On iPhone and iPad, check the Settings app for the Ethernet line item. If Ethernet appears on the list, the WLAN Pi has successfully established a network connection to the iPhone or iPad.

Configuring Hamina Onsite

1. In Hamina Onsite, tap the gear icon in the upper right to enter Settings.

2. Choose WLAN Pi.

3. For USB, use 169.254.42.1.

4. For Bluetooth, use 169.254.43.1.

5. Check the connection status:

   1. Searching - Hamina Onsite hasn't found the WLAN Pi.

   2. Connecting - Hamina Onsite is able to ping the WLAN Pi, and is trying to connect to Onsite Server.

   3. Connected - Hamina Onsite has successfully connected to Onsite Server.