Network

The PolyPulse can be connected to a local area network (LAN) using the ethernet connection on the back of the instrument. It can be used for sending and receiving Open Sound Control and for accessing the File manager to:

  • upload samples to the PolyPulse

  • download recordings and projects to your computer

  • update the PolyPulse firmware

Connecting the PolyPulse

There are two ways of connecting the PolyPulse to a computer.

Connected to a router

Connect the PolyPulse with an ethernet cable to a router, and connect a computer to this router using Wi-Fi or another ethernet cable.

_images/network-configuration-router.png

Advantages:

  • Access the file manager not just from computers but also tablets or smartphones.

  • IPv4 automatically assigned by the router’s DHCP server.

  • Fast access to the file manager and internet at the same time.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires physical access to the router.

  • Anyone on connected to the router can access the file manager and delete, upload or download files.

  • The automatically assigned IPv4 might change once in a while.

This setup is preferred.

Direct connection

Connect the PolyPulse directly to a computer using a single ethernet cable.

_images/network-configuration-direct.png

Advantages:

  • Portable because it requires just a ethernet single cable.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires a computer with an ethernet connector or a USB-ethernet adapter.

  • Likely requires manually Setting a static IP address.

  • Browsing to http://polypulse.local/ might not work if the computer is also connected to other networks (such as Wi-Fi) and instead the IP address needs to be typed into the browser.

Setting a static IP address

For two devices on a network to be able to communicate with each other they both need to have an IP address. When using DHCP/dynamic IP address assignment the router assigns an IP address to all devices on the network. IP addresses assigned using DHCP might not always be the same for each device which can be annoying when using Open Sound Control.

To assign a static IP address to the PolyPulse:

  • Press settings to open the settings menu.

  • Scroll to the network section.

  • Set IP assignment to static.

  • Scroll to ethernet IPv4 and press edit.

  • Enter an IP address for the PolyPulse to use and press yes to store.

  • Press yes to exit the settings menu.

Tip

Unsure what IP address to use? Copy the IP address assigned to the computer and put a different number (between 0 and 255) after the last dot.

After changing IP assignment and ethernet IPv4 the PolyPulse needs to fully restart for the network configuration to be applied:

  • Press edit+setting.

  • Scroll to shutdown PolyPulse and press yes twice.

  • Wait 10 seconds while the PolyPulse shuts down.

  • Disconnect the power supply from the PolyPulse, wait a few seconds and then reconnect the power supply.

File manager

When the PolyPulse is connected to your network the PolyPulse file manager can be accessed by typing http://polypulse.local or the PolyPulses IPv4 in the address bar of a browser.

Note

It is possible that your browser will warn you the connection is insecure. This is because the file manager is served over HTTP instead of HTTPS.

_images/file-manager.png

One or more files/folders can be selected and then to delete or download

Warning

Deleting files and folders cannot be undone.

Note

While uploading there is no progress bar or animation to show it is still uploading. If a lot of samples are uploaded at the same time it can take tens of seconds.

Updating the PolyPulse

  • Download the most recent update from the PolyPulse forum. Do not change the name of the file.

  • Open the file manager by browsing to http://polypulse.local (or the PolyPulses IPv4 address) and upload the firmware zip to the PolyPulse.

  • Select the firmware version using the drop down and click select to apply.

  • On the PolyPulse restart the PolyPulse firmware by pressing edit+settings and selecting restart firmware. While the new firmware starts the version and name is visible in the lower right corner of the screen.

Troubleshooting

If you can’t reach the file manager on your computer please try the following things:

  • Check if the PolyPulse has a IPv6 address in settings under network. If it does not the PolyPulse is not connected to your network. Try another ethernet cable and/or dongle.

  • Make sure you are browsing to http://polypulse.local and not https://polypulse.local

  • If you’re using a Direct connection try turning off Wi-Fi or Setting a static IP address and typing that IP address in the browser.