LEGRAND VADDIO RoboTRAK User manual
Complete Manual for the
RoboTRAK
Presenter Tracking System
Document 411-0004-30 Rev. F
August 2022
Contents
Overview 1
What's in this Guide 1
Features 1
A Quick Look at the RoboTRAK System 2
Front of the RoboTRAK IR Camera 2
Back of the IRCamera 2
AQuick Look at the Tracking Lanyard 3
Before You Start 4
Selecting the Installation Site 4
Camera Location 4
Camera Placement – Small Room 4
Camera Placement – Medium Room 5
Camera Placement – Large Room 6
Lighting and IR 6
Installation 8
Don’t Void Your Warranty! 8
Cabling Notes 8
Network Requirements 8
Additional Equipment 8
The IR Camera's Default Hostname 9
Placing the PoE Splitter 9
Pre-Installation Functional Check 9
Connections for Configuring the System 10
Connections for Service 10
Installing the Camera Mount 11
Wall Installation 11
Ceiling Installation 11
Installing the Cameras 12
Turning on the Cameras 12
Camera Status Light 12
Preparing the Tracking Lanyard for Use 13
Lanyard Status Light 13
Initial Device Set-Up and System Administration Tasks 14
Browser Support 14
Initial Device Set-Up Using the Vaddio Deployment Tool 15
Initial Device Set-Up Using the Vaddio Device Controller 16
Manual Access and Initial Device Set-Up 16
System Administration 17
Configuring Access and Other Security Settings 17
Assigning a Hostname or IP Address 18
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Specifying Time Zone and NTP Server 19
Configuring the Tracking System 20
The Tracking Configuration Process 20
About Distance Configuration Files 21
Determining Which Distance Configuration Files to Use 21
Loading the Distance Configuration File 22
Setting the Room Label Information 22
Pairing the Cameras 23
Setting up the IR and Video Camera Lanyard Shots 24
Viewing the Stream from the IR Camera 24
Storing the IR Camera's Lanyard Shot 24
Storing the Video Camera's Lanyard Shot 26
Testing and Fine-Tuning 28
Tuning Cheat Sheet 29
Setting the IR Camera's Home Position 30
Setting the Lanyard Searching Behaviors 31
Setting the Presenter Area and Search Area 32
Adjusting AGC Gain 33
Setting the Tracking Speed: Speed Scaler 34
Setting IRCamera Responsiveness: Tracking Sensitivity 34
Adjusting the Video Camera Window Width 35
Dealing with Stray IR 36
Configuring the Video Camera 38
Setting the Video Camera's Standby Behavior 38
Setting up Macros and Triggers 39
The System’s Predefined Preset Macros 39
Writing and Editing Macros 40
Testing Macros 40
Assigning Macros to Triggers 41
Testing Triggers 42
System Maintenance 43
Exporting the Configuration 43
Importing a Configuration 43
Installing Firmware Updates 44
Operating and Presenting with the RoboTRAK System 45
How It Works 45
Tips for Great Presentations 45
Starting Your Presentation 45
Presentation Controls 46
Lanyard Status Light 47
Quick Reference:How the Cameras Behave 48
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Tips for Handling and Storing the Lanyard 48
Telnet Serial Command API 49
Requirements 49
Usage notes 49
Getting More Information 49
Typographical Conventions 49
About Controlling the Video Camera via Telnet 49
Commands to Avoid 49
Camera Commands 50
camera master tracking 50
camera slave1 preset recall 51
camera master ccu 51
camera master led 52
camera master standby 52
camera master standby config peripheral 53
Communication and Control Commands 53
network settings get 53
streaming settings get 54
streaming ip enable 54
trigger 55
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Commands 56
network ping 56
version 56
camera master recalibrate 56
camera master sensor get 57
system reboot 57
system factory-reset 58
Telnet Information and Session Management Commands 59
help 59
history 59
exit 59
Troubleshooting and Care 60
Fault Isolation 60
Corrective Actions 61
Getting Help 62
Operation, Storage, and Care 63
Index 64
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Overview
This manual covers the RoboTRAK IR camera and presenter tracking system:
nRoboTRAK camera, North America – 999-7270-000B
nRoboTRAK camera, Europe and UK – 999-7270-001B
nRoboTRAK camera, Australia and New Zealand – 999-7270-009B
nLanyard, North America – 999-7271-000
nLanyard, Europe and UK – 999-7271-001
nLanyard, Australia and New Zealand – 999-7271-009
nLanyard with Back Loop Extension, North America – 999-7272-000
nLanyard with Back Loop Extension, Europe and UK – 999-7272-001
nLanyard with Back Loop Extension, Australia and New Zealand – 999-
7272-009
This manual also covers the earlier model 999-7270-000/001/009 RoboTRAK
camera.
The RoboTRAK system works with free-standing RoboSHOT®series cameras. It is not compatible with
architectural cameras. The video camera is sold separately. Refer to the video camera's documentation
for information on how to connect and configure it.
One lanyard is included with the system. Additional lanyards may be purchased separately. The lanyard
with back loop extension accommodates long hair, head coverings, and bulky clothing.
What's in this Guide
This guide provides information on the following topics:
nInstalling the RoboTRAK system
nInitial device set-up and system administration
nConfiguration and fine-tuning
nPresenting with the RoboTRAK system
nControlling the system
nTroubleshooting and maintenance
For your convenience, installation information is also available in the shorter, limited-purpose
Installation Guide for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System.
Features
nIR-based presenter tracking for medium to large rooms
nDesigned for educators, in consultation with educators – move around, turn your head, invite others
to the front of the room... the camera stays on you
nSwitch between tracking and preset positions
nSimple configuration and administration using the Vaddio web interface
nAdjust the system's tracking behavior to match the presenter's style
nOperational range of 12 to 50 ft (3.7 to 15.2 m), height from 6 to 15 ft. (1.8 to 4.6 m)
nNo belt pack – comfortable, highly wearable design
nTracking lanyard with extension available – back loop can be placed over clothing or hair
nUp to 40 hours of lanyard battery power; 25 hours typical
nRecessed battery disconnect switch for full lanyard power-down – conserve battery life during
storage; no risk of accidental actuation
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
A Quick Look at the RoboTRAK System
This section covers the physical features of the RoboTRAK system:
nIR camera
nTracking lanyard
The RoboTRAK system requires a video camera as well. You can use any free-standing RoboSHOT
camera as the video component of the system.
Refer to the documentation for your RoboSHOT camera for detailed information on connections and
camera control.
Front of the RoboTRAK IR Camera
nCamera assembly – Based on the same reliable hardware as our PTZ video cameras.
nReflective lens – Reduces interference from spurious IR sources. The reflective lens also provides a
simple visual cue that it's not a standard video camera.
nStatus light – Shows the IRcamera's current status. May be turned off in the camera’s web
interface.
Back of the IRCamera
n12 VDC, 3.0 Amp power connector – Connect only the PoE splitter shipped with the camera.
nNetwork – Allows the RoboTRAK™ IR camera to control the video camera, and provides access to
the web interface.
nDIP switches – Factory use only.
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AQuick Look at the Tracking Lanyard
Vaddio recommends purchasing a second lanyard as a spare or for smooth transitions between multiple
presenters.
Alanyard with a back loop extension is available for presenters whose hair, head covering, or clothing
may otherwise cover the lanyard ribbon.
Medallion – Houses charging and control circuitry, switches to standby (low-power)mode when the IR
camera switches to standby.
nButton – On/off switch for IR sources
nIlluminated status light ring – Directs light toward the wearer, not the
audience
nBattery – Rechargeable Li-ion battery; up to 25 hour battery life, roughly
4 hour charging time
nUSB micro-B charging port – Connect the supplied battery charger
nRecessed battery disconnect switch – Allows you to turn off the
lanyard completely to extend battery life
Ribbon – Holds the medallion and contains the IRsources.
nStrand of IR LEDs – Provide a characteristic image pattern that the
camera identifies and tracks
nSafety clasp – Automatically releases under tension
Caution
Do not pinch, crease, or stretch the lanyard ribbon. Do not pull the lanyard ribbon to release the clasp.
Any of these will damage the circuitry in the ribbon.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Before You Start
Ensure that the room is suitable for the RoboTRAK system, and that all the required elements of the
installation are present. This section covers the requirements for a successful installation.
Selecting the Installation Site
Note
Install the cameras with the IR camera directly above the video camera. Other physical orientations are
not supported, as they pose tuning/configuration challenges.
nChoose a camera mounting location that will optimize camera performance. Consider camera
viewing angles, lighting conditions, line-of-sight obstructions, and in-wall obstructions where the
camera is to be mounted.
nEnsure that the camera body can move freely and will point away from the ceiling and lights.
nFollow the installation instructions included with the camera mount.
Camera Location
Siting requirements for the IR camera are similar to those for the video camera you use with it.
nClear line of sight to the desired viewable area
nAcceptable camera distance 12 to 50 ft (3.7 to 15.2 m) from area of interest; best performance at 20
to 35 ft (6.1 to 10.7 m) from area of interest
nHeight 7 to 15 ft (2.1 to 4.6 m) depending on distance
nViewing angle as close as possible to the centerline of the tracking area
Camera Placement – Small Room
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Camera Placement – Medium Room
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Camera Placement – Large Room
Lighting and IR
Note
The RoboTRAK IR camera works best in an IR-sterile environment. Natural lighting and halogen lamps
produce enough stray IR to overwhelm the system.
nIf the room has windows, blackout curtains or blinds are required - standard window
blinds admit enough IR at the edges to keep the IR camera from identifying the
tracking lanyard.
nFluorescent or LED lighting is preferred.
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This is a shot from the IR stream of a RoboTRAK camera in an IR-sterile room. Other than the
presenter's lanyard, the room is dark. This is what you should see when you view the stream from the IR
camera. (If the camera is not in setup mode, the image will not include the white rectangle.)
The photograph below shows almost the same shot from the RoboTRAK IR camera as shown in the
previous photograph, but in a different room. The window shades are closed and the room looks dark -
but the IR image shows that the whole room is flooded with IR, and the lanyard does not emit enough IR
to be detected.
This room requires IR remediation.
Certain types of room systems also emit IR, and can keep the tracking system from working properly:
nAssisted listening systems
nIR-based audio systems
nRoom occupancy sensors
Turning any of these off may not be an option. In such cases, cover or remove reflective
objects if possible. IR reflects the same way as visible light – an object that looks shiny to you
also looks shiny to the IR camera.
Contact Vaddio Technical Support for help with stray IR mitigation.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Installation
This section covers installing the mount, functional check, and connecting the camera.
Don’t Void Your Warranty!
Caution
This product is for indoor use. Do not install it outdoors or in a humid environment without the appropriate
protective enclosure. Do not allow it to come into contact with any liquid.
Use only the power supply included with this product. Using a different one will void the warranty, and
could create unsafe operating conditions or damage the product.
Do not install or operate this product if it has been dropped, damaged, or exposed to liquids. If any of
these things happen, return it to Vaddio for safety and functional testing.
Cabling Notes
Note
Do not use pass-through RJ-45 connectors. These can cause intermittent
connections and degraded signal quality, resulting in problems that may be hard to
diagnose. Use standard RJ-45 connectors.
Use Cat-5e or better cable and standard RJ-45 connectors (568B termination). We recommend using
high-quality connectors and a high-quality crimping tool.
We recommend shielded cabling if the cables will be coiled, run tightly with other cables, or routed near
sources of electromagnetic interference such as power lines or fluorescent light fixtures.
Caution
Check Cat-5 cables for continuity before using them. Using the wrong pin-out may damage the camera
system and void the warranty.
Pro Tip
Label all cables at both ends.
Network Requirements
nNetwork connections for both cameras
nHostname resolution
Additional Equipment
nSide-by-side displays – The team or individual tuning the RoboTRAK system will need to see the IP
stream from the IR camera and the live video feed from the video camera at the same time. The
display for the IRcamera is not needed after the system is configured and fine-tuned.
nVaddio Device Controller or other device with wifi access – If you do not have an assistant for
the tuning process, you will need to be able to work with the RoboTRAK IR camera's web interface
while moving around the room.
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The IR Camera's Default Hostname
You will need to reach both cameras' web interfaces to do the initial device setup and to configure the
system for use. If you do not use the Vaddio Device Controller or Vaddio Deployment Tool to access the
IRcamera’s web interface, you will need to point your browser to its default hostname. If this is the case,
copy the default hostname from the label on the bottom of the camera, and keep this information in a
place where it will be available to anyone who needs to work with the camera's web interface. This
information may be required to access the camera for initial configuration, or after a factory reset.
Placing the PoE Splitter
Both connections to the IR camera are from the PoE splitter.
1. Remove the backing from one side of the rectangle of 3M®Dual Lock™ material to expose the
adhesive, and press it firmly against the back of the PoE splitter.
2. Connect the long Cat-5e cable to the Power & Data connector on the PoE splitter.
3. Connect the short Cat-5e cable to the Data Out connector on the PoE splitter.
4. Check the connectors on the short power cable. If one has a
center pin and the other does not, the connector without a
center pin goes to the PoE splitter.
Caution
The short power cable shipped with older systems has two
different connectors. If the connectors on the short power
cable are NOT identical, attempting to connect the wrong end of the cable to the PoE splitter will
damage the connector. (We did this in the lab, and we're admitting it so you can avoid our mistake.)
5. Holding the PoE splitter under the top shelf of the camera mount, route the two short cables through
the cable opening for the upper camera.
6. Determine the best position for the PoE splitter, then remove the backing from the exposed side of the
3M Dual Lock material and press the PoE splitter into place within the camera mounting shelf.
Pre-Installation Functional Check
If you're installing the cameras where they are hard to reach, you may want to verify functionality before
you install them.
1. Connect each camera in its minimum functional configuration.
2. Connect power. Each camera moves and its status light turns on.
If the cameras turn on, continue with the installation.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Connections for Configuring the System
To configure the system for the room and set up the desired tracking behavior, you will need to view the
IP stream from the IRcamera. Side-by-side displays of the IR camera stream and the video camera
output are strongly recommended.
This is the only time you will need to view the IR camera's stream.
Connections for Service
Video camera sold separately – use with any free-standing RoboSHOT camera. The RoboTRAK system
is not compatible with architectural cameras.
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Installing the Camera Mount
The RoboTRAK presenter tracking system‘s dual wall mount can be used with Vaddio's Offset Drop-
down Ceiling Mount for RoboTRAK, part number 535-2000-045. Contact us if you don’t have the camera
mount you need.
Warning
Do not load the lower camera shelf with more than 30 lbs (13.6 kg). Do not load the upper camera shelf
with more than 15 lbs (6.8 kg).
Wall Installation
Note
You can install the camera mount to a 2-gang wall box or directly to the drywall. If you install the wall
mount on drywall, use the wall anchors provided with the wall mount. If you install it over a wall box, use
the cover plate screws supplied with the wall box.
1. Route cables through the appropriate cable opening in the mount.
2. Attach the mount to the wall, using wall anchors if not attaching it to a wall box.
3. Level the mount and tighten the mounting screws.
4. Check the level again.
Ceiling Installation
For a ceiling installation, you will need Vaddio's Offset Drop-down Ceiling Mount for RoboTRAK, part
number 535-2000-045.
Vaddio does not recommend using a non-offset ceiling mount pole, as the system's center of mass is
significantly forward of the 1" NPT threaded nut. Contact Vaddio if you don't have a suitable ceiling mount
kit.
1. Install the ceiling mount kit according to the instructions provided with it.
2. At the appropriate step, route the cables for both cameras through the pipe.
3. At the appropriate step, attach the dual camera mount to the end of the threaded pipe.
Note
Inverted operation is not supported.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Installing the Cameras
Note
Copy the default hostname from the label on the bottom of the camera, and keep this information in a
place where it will be available to anyone who needs to work with the camera's web interface. This
information is required to access the camera for initial configuration, or after a factory reset.
Caution
Before you start, be sure you can identify all cables correctly. Connecting a cable to the wrong port can
result in equipment damage.
Caution
Check Cat-5 cables for continuity before using them. Using the wrong pin-out may damage the camera
system and void the warranty.
1. Connect the cables from the PoE splitter to the IR camera.
2. Place the camera on the upper shelf of the mount.
3. Attach the camera to the mount using the mounting screw supplied with the camera.
4. Ensure that the video camera's resolution switch and DIP switches (if any)are set appropriately.
Refer to the video camera's manual for this information.
5. Connect the cables to the video camera.
6. Place the video camera on the lower shelf of the mount.
7. Attach the camera to the mount using the mounting screw supplied with the camera.
Turning on the Cameras
Connect camera power.
The cameras will wake up and initialize. This will take a few seconds.When the cameras are ready to
accept control information, the IR camera’s status light is blue and the video camera’s status light may be
blue or red. At this point, the system is ready to configure.
Camera Status Light
In normal use, the RoboTRAK IR camera's status light will provide more useful information than the video
camera's status light.
nGreen – Tracking or waiting at the home position
nBlue – Not in tracking mode (may be at a video camera preset position)
nBlinking green – Searching for the lanyard
nBlinking blue – Not paired or not in contact with the video camera
nPurple – In standby mode or booting
nBlinking yellow – Executing a pan-tilt reset
nYellow – Updating firmware
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Preparing the Tracking Lanyard for Use
You will need all the items from the box that the lanyard was shipped in:
nLanyard
nUSB charger
nUSB charging cable
nFerrite bead
Note
To ensure compliance with FCC regulations, you must
install the ferrite bead as directed in step 1.
1. Snap the ferrite bead onto the charger cable about
2 inches (5 cm) from the connector that plugs into
the lanyard.
2. Make sure the recessed battery disconnect switch
is in the ON position.
3. Plug the charger into a power source, and connect the charger cable.
4. Plug the charger cable into the lanyard.
5. Leave the lanyard connected to the charger until the medallion blinks only occasionally. Charging
may take several hours.
Note
The lanyard is not compatible with chargers for Apple products. Charging does not occur if the lanyard is
connected to an Apple device charger.
Lanyard Status Light
The ring on the lanyard's center button is a status light that aims the light to the sides, so you can see it
while wearing the lanyard.
nBlue – The lanyard is active; the IR LEDs in the ribbon are on and can be tracked
nBlinking yellow – The battery is too low to power the IR LEDs; no camera tracking possible
nGreen or flashing green every 5 seconds – Charging
If the ring is dark, this can mean several things.
If the lanyard
is... And the button's behavior is... It means...
Not connected
to the charger
Lights up blue when pressed The lanyard is ready for use.
Flashes yellow twice when
pressed
The battery is too low to power the IR LEDs.
Remains dark when pressed The battery is completely discharged,
or
the recessed battery disconnect switch is off
(farther from the connector for the charging cable).
Connected to
the charger
Lights up green if the lanyard is
disconnected and reconnected
The battery is fully charged.
Remains dark if the lanyard is
disconnected and reconnected
The recessed battery disconnect is off and no
charging has occurred.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Initial Device Set-Up and System Administration Tasks
Vaddio cameras have a web interface for initial device set-up, administrative control, and operation.
When any Vaddio product is shipped from the factory, there is no admin password and the administrative
controls are not available. This is also true if you restore factory defaults, which returns the device to a
"like new" state. Initial device set-up includes setting the admin password, and may include additional
tasks.
After initial device set-up is complete for both the IRcamera and the video camera, you will need to
complete system administration tasks for both cameras to define how they behave as elements of your
network.
We recommend using the Vaddio Deployment Tool (available as a free download at
https://info.legrandav.com/VaddioDeploymentTool) or the Vaddio Device Controller to locate your
cameras on the network and complete the initial device setup.
Browser Support
This product is compatible with the current versions of these web browsers:
nChrome®
nFirefox®
nSafari®
nMicrosoft® Edge
Older versions of these browsers are likely to work, and other browsers may also work.
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Initial Device Set-Up Using the Vaddio Deployment Tool
The Vaddio Deployment Tool simplifies provisioning and system administration for most products, and
provides a shortcut to each device's web interface.
The screen shots are examples only, and show how to do this for a different product.
To complete the initial device set-up with the Vaddio Deployment Tool:
1. Download and install the Vaddio Deployment Tool if you have not done so already, then open it.
2. Turn on the cameras and other devices in your installation if you have not done so already.
3. On the Find Devices page, click Scan. If the scan does not locate the devices you are setting up, your
computer may be on a different subnet. Return to the Find Devices page and click Advanced and
specify the appropriate portion of the network to scan.
4. In the list of equipment that the scan discovers, locate the devices marked Not Set Up.
5. For each device that you need to work with, click the Not Set Up button and set the admin password
on the device detail page that opens.
The device shows up as unlocked after you set the admin password. You can now access the
administrative web interface to complete system administration and other configuration tasks.
That's it. No complicated procedures for finding all the newly installed devices on your network. You can
find and manage your whole Vaddio deployment from the Vaddio Deployment Tool.
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Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Complete Manual for the RoboTRAK Presenter Tracking System
Initial Device Set-Up Using the Vaddio Device Controller
The Vaddio Device Controller is a stand-alone appliance for working with Vaddio products' web
interfaces.
Unlike the Vaddio Deployment Tool, it does not need to be updated to support new products. For detailed
instructions on installation and use, refer to the Vaddio Device Controller's manual.
To complete the initial device set-up with the Vaddio Device Controller:
1. Be sure the touch-panel is installed on the same subnet as the products you need to work with.
2. Go to the touch-panel's Configuration page and select Scan. You will need to enter the Vaddio Device
Controller's PIN to access the Configuration page.
3. Locate the device you need to work with, and select Use.
4. Select Exit to leave the Configuration page and open the device's web interface.
Note
The first time you access a device at a specific IP address, the Vaddio Device Controller's screen
may remain blank for 20 seconds or more.
5. Complete the initial device set-up.
If the Vaddio Device Controller does not find the camera, verify that the camera is connected to the
network, on the same subnet as the Vaddio Device Controller.
Manual Access and Initial Device Set-Up
If your network does not use hostname resolution, you will not be able to browse to the camera’s
hostname. In this case, connect your computer's network port directly to the camera's network port. Then
browse to the camera’s default IPaddress, 169.254.1.1.
To complete the initial device set-up manually:
1. Browse to the device's default hostname or IP address using HTTPS. This will generate warnings
from your browser.
2. Create a password for the admin login, and complete any other required steps (such as accepting
agreements)for the initial device set-up.
The administrative web interface opens.
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Table of contents
