I just finished working what I thought was a nasty problem, but it was just a bad memory, mine, as I had this happen before.

I had two Prontos at the same IP address (one is my test unit). I downloaded the same xcf as the Theater Pronto uses causing both the test unit and the theater unit to have the same IP. I forgot about the test unit and went to watch some TV. Periodically the Theater system would lock up with an IP socket error and then recover after about 50 seconds.

The problem was that the Test unit was powered on and docked. It was waking up every 51 seconds or so (the Pronto minute) to check in with the wifi world. That was enough to cause the error. No data was transmitted, it was just waking up and preserving the Wi Fi connection but that was enough. The WAP or the router (probably the Router) detected the conflict and sent an error to the socket.

The Theater now puts out an error message when it gets an unexpected error on the listening socket to check for stupid cockpit error. In normal operation I never get socket errors, the wifi signals are too strong and too clean. I wish my DHCP system would allow for "reserved" addresses or very long lease times, or the Pronto would allow the retrieval of MAC address.

I went to a place today where they have no encrypion on there wireless network, but log all the mac address on the AP, they do this because the wirless tablets work better.... so i added the Pronto to there network by giving them the TSU mac address, worked a treat,

Now here is the Question How secure is a net work like this?

Im sure this is going to through up allsorts of answers:)

Answer: not very secure - but probably enough to deter casual unwanted connections, since it is technically possible to fake MAC addresses.

As for your original duplicate IP address problem, MAC addresses offer a solution if your DHCP server has a "Reserved IP Address" feature. The idea is to give all your Pronto panels dynamic IP addresses but register their indiviual MAC addresses with the desired IP addresses in a table held in the DHCP server. In this way each panel always connects to its own IP address that remains fixed.

The advantage of this arrangement is that you ony need to maintain one .XCF file that can be loaded without IP address editing into many panels, yet retain the benefits of having a fixed and known address.

I am aware of the reserved IP feature. Unfortunately my router does not have that feature. I wish it did!! I am sort of stuck with this router as I use VOIP and need a router with a VOIP capability. I need a router that can deal with:

Cable modem for ISP, AT least 4 LAN ports (Switched) and 2 VOIP channels. It should allow for NAT and not require a firewall in the router. I am currently using a Linksys RTP300. I guess I will start looking to swap it out.

Suggestions welcome

Barry, Since you use a dedicated computer in your setup, why not put a full functioning DHCP server on there and turn off the one on the router?

Jon, Are you snooping in my house. (;-) ? I just finished doing that 10 minutes ago and now all is well with the Utopia world.

Hey Barry,

If your looking for a hardware device, look at the Draytek range.. (Not sure if available in the US)

I've been using them for years and they are rock solid stable products and they have a range that offer voip.

I'm currently using one that supports 2 dsl lines and load balances it at work.. Which is quite neat :)

Barry, so what you are saying is that Prontoscript does not allow for getting the MAC address or IP address? I was hoping to save some TSU9800/9600 preferences on a server (using sockets) using their MAC address. Bummer.

Is there not a hidden system variable with this info becuase I can see it on Settings Info tab?

No, you cannot retrieve MAC, IP, ProntoSerial Number, Pronto Remote type via Prontoscript. Only the firmware version.

See the ProntoScript Developer's Guide, Appendices A, B, and C.