Static IP, Wi-Fi client mode, and finding the unit

The external Ethernet port takes a DHCP address by default. This article covers giving it a fixed address, joining an existing Wi-Fi network as a client, and finding the unit once it is on a network.

Critical Do not modify Wired connection 1. It is the internal link to the detection SDR — the unit is 172.31.100.1 and the SDR is 172.31.100.2. Changing these breaks DJI DroneID detection. Everything below applies to Wired connection 2 and wlan0 only.

Static IP on the external Ethernet port

Substitute your address, prefix length, gateway, and DNS server:

sudo nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 2" \
 ipv4.addresses "<your-ip>/<prefix>" \
 ipv4.gateway "<your-gateway>" \
 ipv4.dns "<dns-server>" \
 ipv4.method manual
sudo nmcli connection down "Wired connection 2"
sudo nmcli connection up "Wired connection 2"

To return to DHCP later:

sudo nmcli connection modify "Wired connection 2" ipv4.method auto
sudo nmcli connection up "Wired connection 2"

Joining a Wi-Fi network as a client

The internal Wi-Fi interface can join an existing network instead of running the hotspot. Never use the detection Wi-Fi adapter for this; it must stay in monitor mode.

nmcli device wifi list
sudo nmcli device wifi connect "YourNetworkSSID" password "YourPassword"
nmcli connection show --active

The connection reconnects automatically on boot. Client mode and the hotspot share wlan0, so only one can be active at a time; stop the hotspot before joining a network.

Finding the unit

On the hotspot the unit is always 192.168.12.1.
On a LAN, look for hostname wardragon in the router’s DHCP lease table.
Scan the subnet from another machine: nmap -sn <subnet>/24
From the unit itself: ip addr show

Related connections

Direct laptop-to-unit cable with no router: Connecting to a WarDragon over a direct Ethernet cable. Hotspot setup and hotspot plus Ethernet: Running the unit as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

WarDragon User Guide, Section 5 — network configuration
WarDragon User Guide, Section 5.5 — finding the unit
WarDragon User Guide, Section 10.5 — network troubleshooting

WarDragon is manufactured by Millenium Products Inc. Technical support for purchased kits is requested through the support page. Purchasing and quote requests go through the contact form.