Beatrice Lang
Electric Imp offers a complete end-to-end platform that simplifies the process of connecting and managing devices from prototype to production and through to end-of-life, allowing businesses to focus on their core expertise and build the best product possible. The Electric Imp platform enables a secure and frictionless flow of data between products and the cloud, providing a scripting application platform for customer applications, which are deployed and managed via the Electric Imp impCentral tools. The Electric Imp Platform is available with cloud connectivity via Ethernet, WiFi, and Cellular. The impExplorer, for example, uses BlinkUp to get online and access the impCloud. To connect Electric Imp to a network, it is important to understand the types of network that imp modules support, how they maintain WiFi security, and how they communicate through a firewall.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of devices on the platform | 1.5 million+ |
| Companies that have validated the platform's security | Pitney Bowes, GE |
| Modules | imp001, imp002, imp003, imp004m, imp005, imp006, impC001 |
| WiFi compatibility | 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11ac, 2.4GHz, 5GHz |
| Security mechanisms | WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3 |
| Application platform | Scripting |
| Security features | Isolated application containers, over-the-air updates |
| Setup process | Secure and streamlined |
| Product management | Ongoing |
| Updates | Over-the-air (OTA) |
| Activation process | BlinkUp |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding network requirements for imp-enabled devices
To connect Electric Imp to your network, you must first understand the network requirements for imp-enabled devices. Electric Imp offers a complete end-to-end platform that simplifies the process of connecting devices, allowing businesses to focus on their core expertise and build the best products. The Electric Imp Platform is available with cloud connectivity via Ethernet, WiFi, and Cellular.
To ensure a smooth connection, it is essential to consider the type of network that imp modules support. Most imp modules are designed for 2.4 GHz 802.11n WiFi networks, although some variants, like the imp005 and specific imp006 models, are compatible with 5 GHz 802.11n and 802.11a networks. The impC001, however, does not support WiFi connectivity. When setting up your network, ensure that your router is set to the appropriate frequency band, either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, depending on the imp module you are using.
Additionally, it is important to understand how imp-enabled devices maintain WiFi security and communicate through firewalls. All imp modules provide consistent security, and they are capable of detecting the security protocols used by the network, such as WEP, WPA, or WPA2. They also support WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) for secure login to your router, except for the imp005, which requires the standard SSID/password login.
To connect an imp-enabled device to a hidden network, where the SSID is not broadcast, you must enter the network's name manually during the BlinkUp™ process. This unique optical configuration technology allows data transmission during the initial setup, but it can be affected by bright lighting conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to block out direct bright lights or perform BlinkUp in a shaded area.
By understanding these network requirements, you can effectively connect and manage imp-enabled devices, leveraging the benefits of Electric Imp's secure and efficient connectivity platform.
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Setting up a 2.4GHz network for routers
To connect an Electric Imp to a network, you must first understand the types of networks that Imp modules support and how they maintain WiFi security. Most Electric Imps are designed to use 802.11n WiFi operating in the 2.4GHz band and are compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Routers can be set to host a hidden network, where the network's SSID is not broadcast for devices to detect.
To set up a 2.4GHz network for routers, you can follow these steps:
- Access your router's settings: Use a web interface or an app provided by the router manufacturer to access the settings menu.
- Enable separate SSIDs: Look for an option to set up separate SSIDs or network names for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. This feature is available on many routers and mesh systems.
- Configure network names and passwords: Give distinct names and passwords to your 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. This allows you to differentiate between the two networks and provide secure access.
- Connect devices to the 2.4GHz network: Once the 2.4GHz network is set up, you can connect compatible devices to it using the network name and password.
- Adjust band steering: Band steering is the router's ability to choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands based on the device and signal strength. You can adjust this setting to prioritize the 2.4GHz band for devices that require it.
- Ensure compatibility: Check that the devices you want to connect are compatible with the 2.4GHz band. Some devices, like smart home devices, printers, network-attached storage, and smart TVs or speakers, often require the 2.4GHz band for better range and penetration through obstacles.
- Consider a guest network: If you have a mixed environment of devices with varying band requirements, some routers offer a separate "IoT network" or guest network option. This allows devices that need the 2.4GHz band to connect while still interacting with devices on the main network.
By following these steps, you can successfully set up a 2.4GHz network for routers and connect compatible devices, including Electric Imp-enabled devices, to that network.
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Using WPS for secure login
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a standard for certified Wi-Fi products designed to ease the setup of Wi-Fi networks in home and small office environments. It was created by Cisco and introduced in 2006. WPS allows for a wireless connection to Wi-Fi networks without using a password. This is particularly useful for devices that do not have a keypad or touch screen, such as printers and security cameras.
Most Electric Imp modules are Wi-Fi compatible and can receive a WPS code to securely log into a router. However, the imp005 does not support WPS. For this device, use the standard SSID/password login instead, and do not offer WPS as an option in your BlinkUp app.
To use WPS, the user must press the WPS button on their home router. This will allow them to connect to the Wi-Fi network. WPS also allows the owner of Wi-Fi privileges to block other users from using their Wi-Fi network.
It is important to note that a major security flaw was discovered in December 2011 that affects wireless routers with the WPS PIN feature. This flaw allows a remote attacker to recover the WPS PIN in 4-10 hours with a brute-force attack. Users have been urged to turn off the WPS PIN feature, although this may not be possible on some router models.
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Troubleshooting network-related technical queries
To troubleshoot network-related technical issues with Electric Imp, you should first understand the types of networks that imp modules support, how they maintain WiFi security, and how they communicate through a firewall. Most imps are designed to use 802.11n WiFi operating in the 2.4GHz band and are compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Only the imp005 and some imp006 variants are compatible with 802.11n networks operating in the 5GHz band.
If you are experiencing difficulties connecting an imp-enabled device to the Internet for the first time, you should refer to the 『Power』 and 『WiFi』 sections of the troubleshooting guide, which list broader issues that may impact the BlinkUp process. You should also refer to the Hardware Design Guides for the imp003, imp004m, imp005, and imp006.impC001, as these discuss hardware issues that can prevent device start-up.
A solid red or rapidly flashing red LED indicates a power supply issue. Insufficient power can be caused by low batteries, a power supply with insufficient current capacity, or a supply with insufficient voltage. If the power supply can’t support the imp, the imp will attempt to connect, run out of power, reset itself, and repeat. This can be identified by a fast red blink pattern.
If you are experiencing issues with the BlinkUp process, ensure that you are using the correct app. For example, a production device cannot be configured with the Electric Imp mobile app.
If you are having trouble connecting a device and you are outside of the US, ensure that the wireless router is not set to channel 12 or 13. For imp001-, imp002-, imp003-, and imp004m-based devices, routers should be set to provide a 2.4GHz network, either in place of or alongside a 5GHz network.
If you configure an imp-enabled device to connect to a password-protected WiFi network and then remove the password, the onboard imp will no longer connect to the network. To reconnect, the device must be reconfigured with a blank password.
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Activating your impExplorer (using BlinkUp)
Place your phone's screen face down and flat on the upper surface of the impExplorer. It is important to ensure the screen is facing away from you and towards the device, especially if you are sensitive to strobing light. The app will countdown for three seconds before BlinkUp starts, giving you time to place the phone and look away or close your eyes. The handset will vibrate when BlinkUp is complete.
The impExplorer will then use the information received during BlinkUp to get online and access the impCloud. You will see a mix of red and amber as the impExplorer connects to the network and then the impCloud. If successful, the LED will slowly flash green to show that it is ready to use. If you see a fast flashing red LED, this indicates that the impExplorer couldn’t read the BlinkUp transmission, perhaps due to being held too far from the phone screen. Other codes may indicate an incorrect WiFi name or password.
The impExplorer uses the 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi standard and is compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b/g networks. It is designed to prevent your device from being 'captured' by a rogue WiFi access point. It does this by not allowing the imp to be configured as a WiFi hotspot (access point).
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Frequently asked questions
BlinkUp is a unique optical configuration technology that transmits data optically. It can be affected by unusual lighting conditions, especially very bright lighting such as direct sunlight.
You can activate your impExplorer using the free Electric Imp mobile app. Download it from the iTunes App Store or Google Play, sign in, tap "Configure a Device", select WiFi on the setup page, and enter your WiFi network details.
Most imps are designed to use 802.11n WiFi operating in the 2.4GHz band. They are compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Only the imp005 and some imp006 variants are compatible with 802.11n networks operating in the 5GHz band.
Yes, end-users can connect imp-enabled devices to a hidden network, but they must be able to enter the network's name in the mobile app so that the non-broadcast SSID can be passed to the device during BlinkUp.
Every WiFi-compatible imp module can determine what kind of security—WEP, WPA, or WPA2—is being used by the network it is attempting to connect to. It supports all these "consumer" security mechanisms.
