Connecting Wi-Fi and Making Initial Login

Know Before Beginning

Relevant outbound ports must be open. See the KMC Commander IT/Network Information Technical Bulletin. (See Accessing Other Documents).

If a Wi-Fi WAP or client service will be used during normal operation with a Wi-Fi antenna, see (Optionally) Installing the Wi-Fi Antenna.

Wi-Fi is used for initial setup. The effective Wi-Fi range without the antenna is at least five feet, which is usually adequate for initial setup in an office environment. Although a Wi-Fi antenna is not necessary for installation, it may be helpful under some conditions. Again, see (Optionally) Installing the Wi-Fi Antenna.

An alternate method of accessing and setting up a KMC Commander IoT gateway (instead of using Wi-Fi) is by connecting a laptop to LAN A with an Ethernet patch cable and opening a browser window to address 192.168.2.1. This method still requires a live Internet connection to PoE IN / LAN B, and it may require temporarily changing the IP address on your computer. The Wi-Fi setup procedure is usually more convenient.

Connecting to Wi-Fi

  1. Using a laptop or PC that is Wi-Fi enabled, go to the Wireless Network Connection window.

  2. Search for and connect to the SSID CommanderBX-[service tag number (S/N) of your individual gateway] (For example, CommanderBX-GG22B02).

    Note: The unique KMC Commander IoT gateway service tag number (S/N, or serial number) is printed on the bottom of the gateway.

    Note: The gateway starts transmitting its SSID (Service Set IDentifier or the wireless network name) about three minutes after its power is connected.

  3. Enter the default Wi-Fi network security key (found on the printed KMC Commander Quick Setup guide included in the shipping carton or downloaded from the website after logging in).

  4. Select OK (in Windows 7) or Next (in Windows 10).

  5. If a Set Network Location pop-up screen appears, select Public network. (This increases security over a Home or Work network.)

  6. When that screen shows "The network location is now Public,” select Close.

    Note: For later Wi-Fi operation, defaults for the SSID and network security key are changed in Settings > Network Interfaces > Wi-Fi [wlan0]. (See Configuring Wi-Fi Settings.)

Making Initial Login

  1. Open a (Google Chrome or Safari recommended) web browser and enter 192.168.4.1 in the address field.

    Note: “Your connection is not private” appears in the browser screen when first signing into the KMC Commander IoT gateway. This default privacy caution appears because the gateway uses HTTPS for secure, encrypted communication, but a “valid” (verifiable by a third party) certificate cannot be provided automatically on an internal network. This does not mean that the KMC Commander network communication is unsafe.

  2. Select Advanced, then Proceed to 192.168.4.1 on the screen to continue.

    Note: That screen should not appear again after login, but “Not secure https” will stay in the address field of subsequent screens. This does not mean that the KMC Commander network communication is unsafe.

    Note: A direct connection via Ethernet will also have the same issue as with Wi-Fi. If a direct Ethernet connection to the gateway is intended to be maintained long-term, and if the user requires that the red “Not secure https” be removed from the browser address field, contact KMC Controls and the local IT department for assistance.

    Note: The privacy caution should not appear with app.kmccommander.com, which is the primary user interface.

  3. Enter the (case-sensitive) KMC Commander User Email and Password (supplied by the system administrator) in the pop-up box.

    Note: If you forget your password, select Forgot password on app.kmccommander.com, enter your email address, and you will receive an email with a link for resetting your password.

  4. Select Login.

    Note: During initial setup, the (Internet) network connection must have a DHCP server to get an address, and the PC being used must be set to have a dynamic IP address rather than a static address.

    Note: Administrative accounts (created after ordering) include sections with information about Users (System Integrators), Customers (Building Owners), Projects, and KMC Commander devices. (See Accessing System Administration.)

  5. Select the appropriate License from the dropdown list.

    Note: If more than one license appears in the dropdown list, be sure to select the correct one for your particular project. If the correct license is not available, see License and Project Problems.

  6. Select Submit.

  7. Select Begin Setup to confirm the setup details.

  8. Select Start.

  9. After seeing Network Explorer, wait at least one hour (to allow all software updates to complete) before disconnecting the gateway.

    Note: When you see Networks Explorer, you are properly licensed. After waiting at least one hour, disconnect the gateway. If you cannot sign in and see Networks Explorer, contact KMC Controls for assistance.

    Note: During that hour before disconnecting the gateway, you do not need to be logged in. You may close the browser and shut down the laptop.

    Note: If the office Internet connection is slow, let the update process run overnight.

If a cellular Internet connection will be used for operation, go to Installing Optional Cellular.

Otherwise, continue to Transitioning to the Job Site.