Wi-Fi network management. Router management. Configuration with specialized software

If you want to configure your Wi-Fi router yourself, change the password, the name of your wireless network, or other settings, then in any case, you will first need to go to the router settings. In the control panel, where you can set the necessary parameters. I want to say right away that this is not at all difficult. It doesn’t matter what model of router you have or what manufacturer it is (Tp-Link, D-Link, Asus, Linksys, Zyxel, etc.), following these instructions you can go to the control panel. The principle of operation of all routers is almost the same, which means that we can access the settings using the same instructions. Yes, there are some nuances, we will definitely consider them.

A router is an independent device that runs on its own software. And it can only be accessed via a network cable (In most cases). Many people have a question, what kind of disk and drivers are included with the router? No, there are no drivers there. The router does not require drivers at all. The disk usually contains a special utility with which you can quickly configure the router. But, I would advise setting up the router through the settings, which can be accessed through a browser. And as I wrote above, this is very easy to do.

We will consider two methods: accessing the control panel via a network cable from a computer or laptop, and accessing settings via Wi-Fi from mobile devices (or also from a computer). I recommend using a network cable and a computer for this task. But, if this is not possible, then you can change some settings, or even completely configure the router from your phone, tablet, or laptop via Wi-Fi. If you want to update the firmware, you cannot do this via Wi-Fi.

How to access router settings from a computer

I have seen many articles where they describe some complex actions that need to be performed from the very beginning (checking network settings, getting the router’s IP address via the command line). There is no need to do this, at least not yet. First you need to try going into the settings. If it doesn’t work out, then we’ll look at the possible reasons. Why bother yourself with unnecessary nonsense.

Connecting the computer to the router

We take a network cable, which usually comes with the router (you can use your own cable) and connect one end to the network connector of your desktop computer or laptop. Photo for clarity:

We connect the second end of the network cable to the router into one of 4 (usually) LAN connectors. They are yellow. For example:

Typically, settings can be accessed at , or . The address of your specific router and the login and password that you will need later can be found on the router itself. Usually, they are written on the bottom of the sticker. An address like . can also be indicated there. For example:

The router must be turned on. Next, open any browser on your computer. You can even use Internet Explorer, I use Opera. To go into the settings, we need to write the IP address of the router in the address bar of the browser 192.168.1.1 , or 192.168.0.1 , and go through it by pressing the button Enter. A window will appear asking for your username and password. Again, the default is usually used admin And admin. You can also see this information at the bottom of the device.

If you changed your login and password to enter settings (not to be confused with the Wi-Fi network password), then you need to indicate them. And if you forgot them, you will have to do (article using Tp-Link as an example), and configure it again.

If you cannot find the IP address, login and password of your router, then try going first to the address 192.168.1.1, and then to 192.168.0.1. Try admin as your login and password. Also, try leaving the password field blank, or specifying 1234.

Set the required parameters and press the button Login, or simply Entrance, doesn't matter. Your window itself may look different, it doesn’t matter.

If everything is fine, then you will see the settings of your router.

If not, then now we’ll try to figure out what the problem might be. Scroll below.

We go to the control panel via Wi-Fi: from a phone, tablet, laptop

If, for example, you don’t have a network cable, or you don’t have a single computer at hand, but you need to go into the router settings, then you can use a Wi-Fi connection for this.

One important point: when connecting via Wi-Fi, and not via a network cable, you can make some settings in exactly the same way, or even set up a new router. But, under no circumstances update the software of your router. With this you can simply break it. Flash only when connected via cable. Instructions for .

In principle, we do everything the same way as I described above, starting from the moment we launch the browser, go to the IP address of the router, etc. The only difference is that we connect to the Wi-Fi network of the router, which we need to configure , not via cable. We take our phone, laptop, or tablet and connect it to Wi-Fi (if it is not connected). If, for example, you want to connect to a new router, it will have a standard name and will be unprotected.

I'll show you the example of logging into the control panel from a tablet. Just like on a computer, open any browser and go to the IP of your router (192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.1). Specify your login information.

Settings should open.

That's all, as you can see, everything is very simple. If something doesn't work out, ask questions in the comments.

Doesn't go into settings: possible reasons and solutions

I wrote in more detail about this problem in the article. But, since the problem when the router settings do not open and you cannot access the address 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.1.1 is very popular, I think that this information will definitely not be superfluous. Let's look at the most popular problems:

When you try to go to the IP address 192.168.0.1, or 192.168.1.1, the error page not accessible appears, or the page could not be opened.

This means that the computer cannot connect to the router. It doesn't matter via cable or Wi-Fi. First of all, check if there is a connection. Look at the notification bar (bottom right corner), on the connection status. If you are connected via cable, then a computer should be drawn there, it may have a yellow icon, this is normal. If you connect via Wi-Fi, then there should be just a white network (network level). It may also have a yellow exclamation mark.

Solutions:

You need to check the network settings on your computer. Perhaps you have it in your local network settings (when connected via cable), or wireless (Wi-Fi connection), some static IP settings or other parameters are specified. You need to set automatic IP and DNS acquisition. I have already written about this in detail in the article.
If the connection is via cable, then you need to try replacing it. I have come across cases more than once when the problem was in the cable. Or connect via Wi-Fi.
If you have Wi-Fi on your computer and you are connecting via cable, then you need to completely turn off Wi-Fi. And vice versa, when connecting via a wireless network, disconnect the cable.
If all else fails, try doing this, perhaps it contains some non-standard connection settings.
Also, there is no need to rule out a breakdown of the router itself. Sometimes it happens.

Invalid login/password. Or nothing happens after clicking the Login button.

There may be such a problem. We went to the address, a window appeared asking for data, you specified it, but an error appears that the login information was entered incorrectly, or the page simply reloads.

Solutions:

Try different versions of the login/password pair. Admin and admin, try leaving both fields blank, or just the password. Will try to specify the password 1234.
Try logging in from a different browser.
Most likely you will have to reset your router settings (link given above).

Afterword

There are many manufacturers, and even more models of different routers. And almost everyone has their own nuances regarding settings. But the process of logging into the control panel is almost the same for everyone. I hope that this instruction helped you get into the settings of your router. If you have any problems, write in the comments, we will figure it out together.

Yes, the operating system will allow you to find nearby networks and connect to them, but what about add-ons? What if you need to have detailed information about all the Wi-Fi networks around you, troubleshoot your network, turn your laptop into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, or stay safe on public hotspots? Windows won't help you with all this.

That's why we've found six apps for you. They do everything Windows can't do and more. Five of the six applications are free, while the sixth is not expensive at all.

From MetaGeek is an excellent tool for searching and collecting information on Wi-Fi networks in the area where your computer is located. The program is also useful in solving problems with your own Wi-Fi network.

For all found Wi-Fi networks, InSSIDer shows the MAC address of the router, the router manufacturer (if the program can determine it - usually it can), the channel in use, the SSID or public name of the network, security type, network speed, and the like. In addition, the program shows the current network signal strength.

How would you use a program to solve problems with your wireless network? If you saw that a nearby network with a strong signal was on the same channel as you, you would change the channel of your network (most routers allow this), thereby avoiding potential conflicts.

The program also allows you to identify “dead zones” in your area where there is no sufficiently reliable Wi-Fi signal. To do this, just walk around your home or office with InSSIDer turned on. In the future, you can either avoid these places or try to move your router.

Whether you need to solve problems with your network or find Wi-Fi hotspots to connect to, InSSIDer is the program you'll want to download and try.

Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista and 7 (32- and 64-bit)
Download InSSIDer

Here's another great program for finding Wi-Fi networks and providing information on them, such as how far away they are from you. The radar-like screen shows all nearby hotspots. A separate panel offers detailed information on all found hotspots, including signal strength, network type (for example, 802.11n), router manufacturer, transmission channel, etc.

Next to the radar, the panel provides even more detailed information about the network you are currently connected to, including your personal IP address, public IP address, DNS, gateway information, and more.

Why use Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector over MetaGeek InSSIDer? For example, because the simpler and clearer layout of Wi-Fi Inspector makes it easier to present information on hotspots. The program also shows your relative physical distance from the hotspot. And probably no one will deny the usefulness of the radar itself.

However, InSSIDer is better than Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector in terms of obtaining more detailed information on surrounding Wi-Fi networks.

Price: Free
Compatibility: Windows XP SP2+, Vista and 7
Download Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector

is an excellent, free program that allows you to turn a computer with Windows 7 (the program only works with Windows 7) into a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can then be used by nearby devices - such as a smartphone or tablets of colleagues.

Of course, the computer itself that you would like to convert into a Wi-Fi hotspot must be connected to the Internet and support Wi-Fi. At the same time, the connection to the Internet does not necessarily have to be wired (although it does not hurt), because a Wi-Fi card on a computer can perform a dual function - on the one hand, it can act as a Wi-Fi receiver, and on the other, it can act as a transmitter.

Setting up a hotspot is simple: Once you're connected to the Internet, launch Connectify, give your hotspot a name and set a password. After this, your computer's Wi-Fi card will begin broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal to which other devices can connect. It is worth noting that your computer will work using the Wi-Fi protocol for which it was created. In addition, it will also support older protocols. For example, an 802.11n signal will allow you to connect devices with 802.11b/g/n.

Setting a password will allow you to restrict unauthorized access to the Internet. The hotspot signal itself is protected by WPA2-PSK encryption.

You can even use Connectify to set up a local network without an external Internet connection. Launch the program as a hotspot and nearby devices will be able to connect to its network, even if you do not have Internet access. This can be used, for example, to transfer files within a workgroup or for multiplayer games.

It's worth noting that connecting my Mac to a hotspot based on a Windows 7 computer and Connectify caused me problems. However, other computers and devices connected without problems.

Managing a router involves configuring the device. A router is a rather complex network equipment with enormous functionality, and depending on the operating conditions, one or another control is required.

Setting up a router requires certain knowledge; moreover, before starting the setup, you need to connect it to your computer and go into the same settings.

If you do not take into account “exotic” methods (for example, through a telnet terminal), then there are only two main configuration methods:

Or through a special assistant program;
Or through the built-in web interface of the router.

The first method is more convenient for inexperienced users, since it is designed for almost automatic configuration with minimal human intervention, while the second method provides finer tuning.

Let's start by connecting to a computer.

Connecting the router to the computer

Any router is equipped with a LAN interface (port) designed for a wired connection to a computer. Also, any computer has an Ethernet port for the same purposes. We take the patch court network cable that usually comes with the router, and connect the router to the computer through these ports.

Preparing the router for settings

You can also establish a connection via a Wi-Fi wireless network, but not all routers and computers have Wi-Fi modules, moreover, the wireless network is less reliable and the connection may be interrupted at the most inopportune moment.

Front panel of the router

After turning on the router, you need to pay attention to its indicator lights, usually located on the front panel. Firstly, to make sure that the router is working (in case the power supply is burned out), secondly, to make sure that the firmware is completely loaded into its RAM and the router is ready for use.

Front panel of the router

Further actions depend on how you intend to configure the router - using the assistant software, or yourself through the web interface.

Let's look at the first option first.

Configuration with specialized software

Helper programs are located on CDs that come with the router. Also, if you have Internet access, you can download it from the manufacturer’s official website.

It should be noted right away that not all manufacturers develop such programs!

After installing the program, launch it using the shortcut that appears on the desktop. As a rule, the first window that opens is a welcome window with the manufacturer’s logo, in which you need to start setting up the router.

Initial window of the setup program

Further steps depend on the manufacturer, but it all comes down to choosing a provider, entering the necessary passwords and logins specified in the agreement with the provider. In the remaining steps, simply read the messages displayed and agree to them by clicking “Next” or “Ok”.

Configuration via web interface

But it is much preferable, and more professional, to configure via the router’s web interface. But to enter the settings menu in this way, user authorization will first be required, since the router simply will not allow uninvited guests into its settings.

Label under the bottom of the router

The IP address of the router is also found there.

User authorization

So, we connected the router to the computer with a patch cord and turned it on. Next, open Internet Explorer on your computer, in which we enter the network address of the router.

Logging into router settings

Settings menu structure

With very rare exceptions, the menu structure is the same - either on the left or at the top there is a tree of settings items. Many manufacturers also provide help and hints for the selected menu item on the right side of the window. In the center of the window, direct settings are made, that is, managing the router.

Settings menu

It is very good if the menu is in Russian. If it is initially in English, then we are looking for a line like “Language”, since the menu can be multilingual, and English is simply set by default. Let's change it to Russian.

Wi-Fi setup

That's it, all that remains is to carefully read the names of menu items and make settings. For example, we need to set up a Wi-Fi wireless network. We look at the menu names, we need “Wi-Fi”, “Wireless”, “Wireless Network” or something like that.

Let's look at an example of configuration on a router from Netgear

Setting up Wi-Fi

Go to the “Settings” menu, then select the “Wireless Network Settings” submenu. A settings window will open in which we indicate the name of our wireless network, select the channel, mode, and transmission speed. If desired, you can set a password to connect to the network, or leave the login free.

The rest of the router is configured according to the same scheme, some of which can be found in the video tutorial:

Hello, dear readers and guests of the Electrician's Notes website.

In my previous publications, I introduced you to touchscreens, controlled both manually and from the control panel.

But today I would like to draw your attention to the Sonoff relay (switch) of the Basic version with the ability to control directly from a mobile phone via a Wi-Fi network or the Internet.

The Sonoff Basic relay is a small device (88x38x23 mm), which can be easily placed behind the ceiling space, in a building niche, or in the bowl of a chandelier or lamp.

Its cost at the time of publication of the article is slightly less than 300 rubles. As you understand, this is quite reasonable money, and for such a modern device. I purchased it on the well-known AliExpress trading platform (the link will be at the end of the article).

The kit included two protective covers with mounting screws, but, unfortunately, there were no instructions.

The Sonoff relay has the following technical characteristics, some of which are displayed directly on its body:

maximum controlled load current 10 (A)
supply voltage from 90 (V) to 250 (V)
wireless standard 802.11 b/g/n
security protocol WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
operating temperature from 0°С to 40°С
weight about 50 g

Sonoff Basic relay capabilities:

load management via Wi-Fi
Internet load management
load control according to a given timer, both with direct and countdown
load management from multiple mobile phones

These are the capabilities of the Sonoff relay. It can be safely used in smart home systems and for other various needs and requirements.

First, I will tell you how to connect Sonoff, and then we will check all its declared control methods in practice.

So, let's go.

Installation and connection of Sonoff relay

For the Sonoff relay to operate, it needs a supply voltage of 220 (V), which means it can be installed without any problems in a place convenient for you, for example, in the bowl of a chandelier or directly under a suspended ceiling, as well as directly in the junction box if there is enough space there.

To attach the relay to the surface, it has two mounting holes.

The connection diagram for the Sonoff relay is very simple.

The phase and zero of the 220 (V) supply voltage are connected to the terminals (L) and (N) on the (Input) side, respectively. Naturally, when connecting, do not forget about .

Please note that the connected conductors must have a cross-section of no more than 1.5 sq. mm. But I still tried to connect wires with a cross-section of 2.5 sq. mm. As a result, a rigid (single-wire) wire can still be connected without problems, but a flexible (multi-wire) wire can be inserted into the terminal with great difficulty, so it even had to be slightly flattened and deformed.

For example, I used a power cable of the PVA brand, which just has a cross-section of 2.5 sq. mm. At the other end of the cable there is a plug, which I will later connect to any socket with a voltage of 220 (V).

The load phase and zero are connected to terminals (L) and (N) on the (Output) side, respectively.

To make it easier to connect the load, I connected a socket to the relay output.

By the way, terminal covers not only have a protective function, but also act as clamps for power wires or cables.

This is how everything turns out beautifully and neatly. Sonoff relay connected.

As a load, I connected an LED lamp, described in one of my articles.

Here is a simple example of a Sonoff relay wiring diagram for a group of lamps.

By the way, it is not necessary to use only a lamp or a group of lamps as a load. You can safely connect any other load to the output terminals, not exceeding the rated current of 10 (A). And if you still need to control a load with a current value above 10 (A), then you can connect it to a contactor, and use a relay to control the coil of this contactor.

In this regard, we can add that when using a contactor, you can control at least a single-phase load, at least three-phase, at least alternating current, even direct current.

It will look something like this.

Thus, the scope of application of Sonoff relays is very wide and varied. It can control at least one light bulb, a powerful single-phase electric heater, a three-phase electric motor, etc. It all depends on your needs and requirements.

Now let’s look at all the possibilities for controlling the Sonoff relay in more detail.

I will not open the relay and look at its structure; there is already plenty of information on this matter on the Internet - look at the relevant resources on electronics. And judging by the reviews, the performance of the relay is quite decent. By the way, if anyone is interested in knowing, the relay is assembled on the basis of the famous Chinese microcontroller ESP8266.

Load management via phone via Wi-Fi network

Before I talk about controlling the relay via Wi-Fi, I will say that it can also be controlled manually. To do this, there is a small recessed black button on its body. So, when you press it briefly, the relay turns on, and when you press it again, it turns off. Moreover, for this it is not necessary that the relay be connected to a Wi-Fi network - control will also be carried out in Offline mode.

But besides this, the button also contains other functionality, which I will discuss below.

To implement the ability to manage load via Wi-Fi and the Internet, you need to install the eWeLink mobile application on your phone. This application can be found for both Android and iOS devices. To make it easier to find the application, you can use the necessary QR codes on the packaging.

For Android devices, the eWeLink application can be downloaded for free from Google Play and installed on your phone without any problems. The program interface supports Russian.

For iOS devices, this application is available in the App Store. I have not tried to download and install this application on an iPhone or iPad, so if you have tried this application on iOS devices, please post your results in the comments.

After installing the eWeLink application, you will need to immediately register by indicating your country and your email address. In this case, the phone must be connected to the Internet.

After this, a verification code will be sent to your email (valid for 30 minutes), which must be entered in the appropriate “Email code” line. On the same page you must enter a password to log into your future account (at least 8 characters).

By the way, letters reach the mail services Mail.ru and Mail.yandex.ru (Yandex mail) without problems. But as far as I know, letters with a verification code do not always reach the Gmail.ru mail service (Google Mail), so please take this into account.

Then you need to pair the relay and router by long-pressing (for 5 seconds) the same button on the switch body, after which the green LED on the relay will blink. Check the box for the first connection mode and click “Next”.

Now you need to select our Wi-Fi network from the list and enter its password. To avoid having to enter a password every time, you can check the “Remember password” checkbox. Click “Next”, after which the search for our device and its registration will begin (it took me no more than 2-3 minutes).

After successful pairing, the relay automatically transmits data to the Chinese cloud (Amazon AWS or Coolkit), which makes it possible to control it via the Internet. But I will return to this a little later.

As you can see, our relay is now displayed in the list of all devices (for now it is the only one in the list, but others will appear in the very near future).

When the relay is online, the green LED on its body is always lit. As soon as the LED starts blinking, it means the connection with the router or the Internet is lost. It is precisely by this indicator that it is convenient to determine whether the relay is online (Online) or not (Offline).

While I was testing this device, I did not notice any problems with network loss. The device is always online and responds stably to control commands.

Now you can try to turn on the relay via your phone. To do this, click on “Relay 1”. A red message immediately appeared indicating that the eWeLink application needs to be updated, although the update is not displayed on Google Play.

We go to the device settings (three dots in the right corner) and see that the application has the current version 1.5.2, and a newer version 1.5.5 is available. Click on the “Download” icon and the application update begins. After the update, the red inscription disappears, and in the settings we can see the new current version 1.5.5.

Remember!!! The main condition for the relay to work is the availability of Internet access.

If Internet access suddenly disappears, the green LED on the relay body will start blinking, and the application will display Offline mode on its tab, i.e. not available for management.

So, to turn on our “Relay 1”, you need to enter it and click on the round virtual button in the center of the screen. Moreover, you can control the relay from the general list of all devices by clicking on the corresponding small button (on the left). In general, whatever you like.

When the relay is in the off position, the button is white with a gray background around it. When the relay is turned on, the button changes its color to green, and the background around it becomes blue.

In addition to the banal principles of control, you can set the time for turning the relay on or off using a timer by setting the appropriate date and time for its control.

What was surprising was that the relay operates according to a given timer even when it is offline, which means that all specified timer programs are stored directly in the relay’s memory.

Click on the “Add timer” button and go to the timers settings page. Each timer is configured to either turn the relay on or turn it off. There are two options for setting the timer:

single (one-time triggering on a given date and time)
repeated (periodic triggering on a given date and time, including indicating specific days of the week)

In addition to the countdown timer, there is a countdown timer. Very necessary functionality for certain purposes. It is configured similarly to a direct timer, only with the possibility of a single operation.

In addition to the forward and reverse timers, there is a cyclic timer in the “Settings” tab (three dots in the right corner).

In this tab you can configure various options for relay operation cycles. I won’t talk about this in detail, because... Everything here is simple and intuitive.

The total number of configured timers, including the cyclic timer, can be no more than 8. And be careful, because when different timers overlap each other, none of them may work!!!

Also in the settings you can specify in what position the relay will remain if the 220 (V) power supply is suddenly turned off. There are three options here. By checking the appropriate boxes, you can choose that when the 220 (V) power supply reappears, the relay can either turn on, turn off, or remain in its original state.

By the way, this is a very convenient feature. Just remember about the nuance that, when the 220 (V) power disappears and reappears, for some reason it always turns on, even when it is in the original state off. Imagine that you are not at home, the voltage in the network “blinked” a little and the controller independently turned on the chandelier. Such an incident will not happen here, because... in this case, everything can be customized to suit your needs.

In addition to the above, all your connected devices in the eWeLink application can be grouped together and combined in various scenarios.

Is it possible to control the relay from several phones at once?

Can! Naturally, in this case, you need to install the eWeLink application on each phone.

There are two options here. The first option is to log into the eWeLink application with the same name and password from different phones and control the relay.

The truth is, if you log into the application on one phone, and then at the same time log into the application using the same username and password, but on another phone, then an error will occur on the first phone and the application will automatically exit. In this case, the second phone remains in the application and can be used to control devices.

At the same time, I would like to note that when controlling a relay from one phone, its status is displayed almost instantly on all phones that are connected to it.

Load management via the Internet

In addition to controlling the relay via your phone via a Wi-Fi network, it can also be controlled via the Internet from anywhere in your location, i.e. absolutely from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access.

So, to control the switch via the Internet, you need to log into the same eWeLink application using your name and password that you specified during registration. And then everything is by analogy. It’s the same application, the same settings, the same control buttons, etc., the only difference is that you are not at home within the coverage area of your Wi-Fi network, but at a distance of hundreds and thousands of kilometers from home.

A little about the cloud.

But still, you will not be able to control the relay without the Internet, because... control occurs not through the local network, but through the Internet, i.e. the same Chinese cloud that I mentioned above. And it doesn’t matter whether control is via Wi-Fi or the Internet, control access is always via the cloud, and to access the cloud you need Internet access.

In this regard, various craftsmen have already figured out how to untie this device from the Chinese cloud or make control only through a local home network. For those interested, this information can be found on certain resources.

By the way, if you need a similar device, but with the additional function of radio control from the remote control, then you can order the Sonoff relay RF version.

If you want to control the load where there is no Internet network at all, then you can use the Sonoff version G1 relay (GSM/GPRS with SIM card support). This manufacturer also has relays with temperature and humidity sensors Sonoff TN10/TN16 and two-channel (for controlling two independent loads) relays Sonoff Dual.

In general, the manufacturer Sonoff has many different devices, I will tell you about some of the most interesting and significant ones on the pages of my website, so subscribe to the newsletter so as not to miss interesting releases.

You can buy a Sonoff relay here:

Sonoff Basic: https://goo.gl/jXyNm3
Sonoff RF (with radio control): https://goo.gl/TRPqN6
Sonoff G1(GSM/GPRS with SIM card support): https://goo.gl/EkpTdp
Sonoff TN10/TN16 (temperature and humidity sensor): https://goo.gl/MWAL5p
Sonoff Dual (two-channel): https://goo.gl/a7rV56

And by tradition, a video based on the article, where you can more clearly see the configuration and control of the Sonoff relay:

The age of progress and high technology is already persistently knocking on every home. Today, every home has a computer, as well as a bunch of mobile devices: tablets, smartphones, netbooks, transformers (netbooks with a removable touch screen or tablets with docking stations) and other devices. It is not surprising that now many people have the opportunity to control various devices through. Starting from lighting to other household electrical appliances. Such installations are called "Smart House" and were already known in the early 2000s, but became widespread among ordinary users only in our days, when wireless technologies became available to a wide mass of users.

Some general information

It’s worth noting right away that to control the light, TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, microwave oven or any other electrical appliance, we need a special station or relay. They come in different types, with different capabilities and functions. For example, the cheapest devices are made in the form of an outlet with a remote control. That is, you insert the “Wireless socket” into a regular socket (to connect to the power supply). You turn on the pond compressor in the wireless device (for example, sunsun aco review, etc.), and using the remote control you can turn it off or on. Everything is very easy and very simple!

But there are more expensive and advanced devices that allow you to control household appliances through special applications on tablets and smartphones. In this case, the connection can occur both on a local network and remotely via the Internet.

As you understand, it is simply impossible to describe everything in one article, so we will analyze only two types of Smart Home devices. Control computer functions via Android via Bluetooth.

Wireless outlet

The word “wireless” here means that you can connect to it via Wi-Fi and control its operation. Let's look at how such gadgets work, using the example of a device from Edup. This is a Chinese company, but it produces quite high-quality products.

How to use such an outlet?

We connect the device to the power supply (to a regular outlet).
There is a button on the top of the device. Press and hold it until the Wi-Fi indicator starts blinking (if you hold the button but another icon is constantly blinking, then release the button and press briefly again). Thus, we switched the device to search mode for Wi-Fi networks in order to bind to the router.

Now let's move on to the tablet or smartphone (with the help of which remote control will take place). In our case, the application is called Edup Wi-Fi. After installing the application on your tablet, you will have to register.

After that, log into the application using your login. But now there will not be a single device in it: the fact is that you need to add equipment manually, so we exit the application.

Now open the settings of your smartphone (tablet) and go to the “Wi-Fi” section. Turn on the adapter. When the system offers a list of devices available for connection, find your “wireless” outlet and connect to it. The connection we need is called “Wifino1”. After we have connected to the device, we return to the Edup WiFi application.

Here you need to click the “Settings” button, which is located at the very bottom of the screen on the right. Next, click “Initialize Device”. Information about the connected device will be displayed at the top: and its name.

Below you will need to enter the name of your Wi-Fi network in the field. You must enter exactly as indicated in the router, with all symbols, uppercase or lowercase letters, and so on. The name must match absolutely. And, accordingly, enter the password for your Wi-Fi network.

After this, press the “Start” button. The phone will begin sending the necessary commands to the Wi-Fi outlet. All you have to do is wait for the pairing to be completed. When this happens, the indicator on the outlet itself, which was previously blinking, will stop blinking and will remain constantly on.

Now, when you log into the Edup WiFi app again, the “Devices” section will show your wireless socket connected to the router. Opposite the name there will be a button, when clicked, the device will turn on or off. As you can see, controlling your household appliances via Wi-Fi is a fairly simple and fast process.

"Wireless" relay

The second gadget that will allow you to control the lights in your home via Wi-Fi is a relay. This equipment is more powerful and can withstand higher loads. In this case, everything works directly. That is, the relay itself distributes Wi-Fi, to which you need to connect and then launch the corresponding application and control the operation of the relay in the program.

You don't need to make any special settings. The relay is supplied with setup instructions and a disk with the necessary software. In fact, a relay is practically no different from a socket. But if you can control the outlet via the Internet, the relay requires a direct connection via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

There are other options for “Smart Homes” with which you can set up control of all household electrical appliances at once. But the cost of such equipment will be appropriate and affordable to few people.