Using the GUI for Regular Maintenance

The web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be accessed using these instructions: Web Interface

The basics

Getting system status

GUI Status Screen

Rebooting the system

Always do this and then wait for a beep sound before unplugging/switching off the power to the box! Otherwise a filesystem corruption may occur! (Alternatively, text console command 'poweroff' or 'reboot' will do the same.) Once you hear a beep sound, it is safe to cut the power to the camera system box.

GUI advanced tab, showing reboot button

Setting up a new system

editing config file

use the edit config file button from the advanced tab. you can change a property, then save the file. The dialogue box does not support multiple changes in memory before saving, so change one property, save/close, then press edit config again to change another property.

For a new system, the minimum you should set

- correct latitude/longitude/altitude. these are used as fall back values in case the GPS fails.

- location

- tbd

Other useful values you might want to set:

- tbd

Set the time zone

GPS/Clock tab, showing buttons to set time zone, and to check the GPS status

From the GPS/clock tab. choose your local time zone from the drop down dialogue, and confirm.

formatting drives

It should not be needed for setting up a new system. NOTE: This is not currently working in the GUI unfortunately; you have to use the command line, through a terminal.

Interval control test

Button on the Status tab.

This tests the camera by simulating a 'night' of observations, but starting in 2min time, then lasting about 10min. the system will power on, and take about 5-8 pictures, and then power off the camera.

you can check the results in the text box, or by looking at the /data0/latest_prev folder using a terminal or Advanced tab, "check /latest_prev logs" button, to review the logs to see if things worked ok.

note: if there are a lot of pictures on the DSLR that have not been downloaded, then interval test may take a while to run, as it will download all from the DSLR memory card onto the local disk....

Check the network status

The Camera will record images without network, but you will get no reports about fireballs. So if real time event reporting or remote login to check status is needed the network should be checked:

Data flow - in case of mobile network Internet connection using internal modem module:

camera -> modem -> internet -> VPN -> server

If VPN is OK, then modem and internet are also OK.

If internet is OK, then modem is OK

VPN might take a couple of minutes to start after system boot up.

'modem signal' can be used to check the actual signal levels received. This can be useful for aligning an antenna or making sure antenna cable is in good shape and well connected.

Data flow - in case of wired local area network (LAN) Internet connection using ethernet cable: (For example using external router or LAN in the building.)

camera -> LAN -> internet -> VPN -> server

If VPN is OK, then LAN (local wiring) and internet are also OK.

If internet is OK, then LAN (local wiring) is OK

Accessing data from earlier observations

for last night

Camera tab, "download Pictures" section, and use calendar box to choose a date. a list of picture times will then be available in the drop down box below.

Select the image time wanted an use Download button. Download picture as jpg (if present), about 5MB. or NEF for full resolution, about 50MB.

for earlier nights

use hard drives tab, to power on drives,

then mount drives

then go to camera tab, download, pictures, pick date (or use eg scp or WinSCP app to browse the directories and download more files)

when finished, power off drives. (Dismount will be done automatically)

Don't leave the drives on! The extra power will heat the box, which may be an issue in hot climates and overheat the drives. Also, some power supplies will not support drives on and DSLR on simultaneously, so there might be problems the next night when observations fail. Also, if the system is on solar panels/battery, there may not be enough capacity to power the drives for 24hr/day.

Checking Hardware

Camera tab, showing buttons to turn on/off hardware

Power on/off DSLR camera

Power on or off will take a few seconds. This function can help to diagnose whether the DSLR is connected to the embedded PC.

Video camera on/off

use the button to turn on/off, and then use the check status button to confirm.

NOTE: video camera status is currently not updated correctly.

GPS status

See the GPS/Clock tab, and the "Check GPS" button

Network status

See the network tab, and description above in 'Check the network status'.