Synapse SimplySNAP User manual

The instructions in this guide provide a basic overview for quickly getting results from a SimplySNAPlighting
solution. They are intended to get you up and running quickly, and should be used for initial testing and proof of
concept operations. There are several ways to commission a SimplySNAPsolution, and we recommend that
before you attempt a full installation, you review these options in the SimplySNAPUser Guide available at:
help.synapse-wireless.com/Lighting/
Installation Overview:
lConnect the site controller and turn it on
lLog in to the site controller
lConduct a system census to discover lights
lConfigure and place lights
lControl the lights
Once these steps are complete, you'll have a good feel for how a full installation will work and behave, and a
clearer picture for how you'll want the full installation to be configured.
System Requirements
lSynapse Wireless SimplySNAP Site Controller
lSynapse Wireless light controllers
lLaptop or tablet running the Google Chrome browser
6723 Odyssey Drive // Huntsville, AL 35806
[phone] // synapse-wireless.com
©2008-2017 Synapse Wireless, All Rights Reserved. All Synapse Wireless products are patent pending. Synapse Wireless the Synapse
Wireless logo, SNAP, and Portal are registered trademarks of Synapse Wireless.
SimplySNAP
Qu i c k In st al l Gu i d e
116-071514-003-J-0

Lighting System Configuration Overview
ASimplySNAP lighting solution consists of a SimplySNAP Site Controller and some number of lights equipped
with Synapse Wireless light controllers, and potentially sensors and/or switches.
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The SimplySNAP Site Controller serves as the hub of control and communications for managing the lights that
make up the lighting solution.
NOTE: In most of this document an SS420 site controller is used for illustration. The SS450 has extra
antennas for cellular service but is otherwise identical.
help.synapse-wireless.com/Lighting/ |Page 3

The SimplySNAP Site Controller
The site controller serves as the heart of your lighting solution, allowing local control with or without the internet.
The site controller can work alone or with other site controllers to unify the lighting controllers into a
SimplySNAPlighting solution.
Buttons on the SimplySNAP Site Controller
There are three buttons on the site controller. The button closest to the antennas, button one, clears the
SimplySNAPdatabase. Button two resets the username and password to the default settings, and the third
button is inactive and not used. (Buttons must be held down until the front panel LEDs change color before a reset
will take effect.
Setting up the SimplySNAP Site Controller
The first step in installing a SimplySNAP lighting solution is to physically install the light fixtures, lighting controllers
and sensors, which can then be configured by accessing the user interface of the SimplySNAP site controller.
These instructions assume that you have already installed the lights and lighting controllers that will make up
your SimplySNAP lighting solution and you are now ready to set up the site controller.
NOTE: For more detailed instructions, including usage and configuration information, please download the
SimplySNAP User Guide from http://help.synapse-wireless.com, or refer to the installation guide included
with each lighting controller.
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To install the SimplySNAPsite controller:
1. Unpack the SimplySNAP Site Controller.
2. Attach the included antennas to the site controller as
shown. Synapse Wireless-provided antennas will have
white dots at the base of the antenna that denote the
type. One dot is a "SNAP"antenna, two dots is for a "Wi-
Fi" antenna, and three dots are for the "CELL" antennas.
This notation is also reflected on the front unit label of
the site controller.
3. Plug the provided power supply into the barrel
connector and then into an 110VAC outlet. When the
SimplySNAP Site Controller powers up, orange LEDs
will light up for approximately 30 seconds while the site
controller software starts up. Once this is complete, the
orange LEDs will turn off and the site controller will be
ready to use.
If you're installing a site controller that includes a cellular
modem, you'll also need to set it up. Detailed instructions for
configuring cell modems are included in the SimplySNAPUser
Guide.
help.synapse-wireless.com/Lighting/ |Page 5

Establishing a Connection to the Site Controller
The SimplySNAP Site Controller comes preconfigured with the SimplySNAP software so there is no user
installation of software required.
The current version of the SimplySNAP software supports the Google Chrome browser. Other browsers will be
supported in future releases. If you don’t have the Google Chrome browser installed on your device, please
download and install it from http://www.google.com/chrome
Accessing the Site Controller
The SimplySNAP Site Controller supports connections via LAN(Ethernet)and WI-FILAN (Ethernet), Wi-Fi, and
optionally, cellular. The SimplySNAP Site Controller serves as the access point and broadcasts a Wi-Fi SSID
over the air. During installation the Wi-Fi connection is used to establish communications between the controller
and a browser based device such as a computer or tablet. After that, it can be accessed via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, Wi-
Fi, or cellular.
SimplySNAP4.0 introduced stronger out-of-the-box security measures, and a change in default user names and
passwords. Depending on your site controller version, there are two ways to wirelessly connect.
For site controllers running SimplySNAP 4.x
Each site controller broadcasts a Wi-Fi SSID
that will be visible from the network
connections panel of your computer or
tablet.
It will appear in your device's network connections list as SimplySNAP_XXXXXXEphesus_
XXXXXXLevitonNorthStar_XXXXXX where XXXXXX is the specific address of the site controller. This address
is unique to each site controller and matches the last 6 alphanumeric characters of the Ethernet MAC address.
The site controller has randomized passwords for Wi-Fi and the default user, and both are available on a sticker
on the side of the site controller. The SSIDwill be visible from the network connections panel of your computer or
tablet, and can be selected like any wireless network.
When you select the SSID and your computer attempts to connect to the site controller, it will prompt you for a
password to complete the connection.
Enter the default Wi-Fi password (labeled "WiFi Password) provided on the sticker to establish the connection.
When this password is entered a connection is established and will appear in your network settings. This may
also appear as an “Unidentified network” with no internet access.
For site controllers running a SimplySNAPversion prior to 4.0
The SSID broadcast from the site controller should be visible from the network connections panel of your
computer or tablet. It will appear in your device's network connections list as SimplySNAP_XXXXXX where
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XXXXXX is the specific address of the site controller. This address is unique to each site controller and matches
the last 6 alphanumeric characters of the Ethernet MAC address.
When you select the SSID
and your computer attempts
to connect to the site
controller, it will prompt you
for a password to complete
the connection.
Enter the password synapse!wireless to establish the connection.
When this password is entered a connection is established and will
appear in your network settings similar to what is shown. This may also
appear as an “Unidentified network” with no internet access.
Logging In
Launch the Chrome browser and enter HTTPS://192.168.55.1 in the
address bar.
Make sure it is entered exactly as shown. (This is a secure connection to a specific IP address that is the factory
default within the site controller). This connection mimics a connection to an internet access point.
You will receive a warning as shown at right. Click the
Advanced link at the bottom, then click the "Proceed to
192.168.55.1 (unsafe)" link. (This warning is displayed because
the site controller is using an unsigned security certificate.)
The SimplySNAP login page should now appear in your
browser and present you with the login screen for the
SimplySNAP site controller.
Enter the following username:
Username: snap
For site controllers manufactured prior to SimplySNAP4.0, the
password will be qwerty. This password is common to all site controllers prior to version 4.0, and after upgrading
to 4.0 you will be required to change the password on first login.
For site controllers made after version 4.0, the default user password is on a sticker on the case of the unit. This
password (labeled "User") is random and unique to your site controller, so a password change after first login is
not required.
help.synapse-wireless.com/Lighting/ |Page 7

After your first login, if you are prompted to change your password from the default, follow the on-screen
instructions.
Discovering Unconfigured Devices with Census
You'll next want to add a few devices to the system to get a feel for how it works. Again, these instructions are for
getting a quick idea of how easy the system is to configure and use, and not intended to be used for a full
installation. Please consult the SimplySNAPUser Guide for full instructions.
NOTE: Before proceeding, make sure all of your lighting controllers are properly installed and power is
applied.
To access the Census Page, click the Census menu item under Devices in the navigation menu. From there, you
can start a "census" of the unconfigured SimplySNAP devices with your network settings. (Channel, Network ID,
Encryption Settings, Enhanced CRCSettings) These devices will appear in a list to provide you with an easy way
to configure them.
To perform a census of unconfigured devices:
1. Click the Start Census button. SimplySNAP will begin to search for unconfigured devices in your network.
Click the Confirm button in the dialog to start the census or Cancelto dismiss the confirmation dialog.
While the census is running, you can cancel the census in progress by clicking the Cancel
Census button.
2. If unconfigured devices are discovered, you will be presented with a list of the devices. To add a single
device to your network, click the Add Device button to the left of the device you wish to add. To add
multiple devices, click the Add Selected Devices button. To remove an unconfigured device, click the
Dismiss button and Confirm it in the dialog. The new device(s) will appear in a pane on the Lights and
Sensors page.
Any devices dismissed will have to be rediscovered by running another census.
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3. If you have unconfigured devices and want to check for any new devices, click the Re-Run Census button.
4. Once the device is loaded, you can edit it as you would any other device. For more information on editing
devices, please consult the SimplySNAPuser guide.
NOTE: If the lighting controller does not automatically identify its type as part of the census, you can
manually select the proper type using the drop-down menu.
help.synapse-wireless.com/Lighting/ |Page 9

Operations
SimplySNAPis typically installed in environments where it is programmed once and set to run autonomously with
very little interaction. However, it does allow active control of lighting via the user interface.
Activating, Deactivating and Dimming Lights
After a light is entered into the system it is controlled directly from the Lights and Sensors page. Broader control
is accomplished through the use of zones, schedules, and sensors, which are explained fully in the
SimplySNAPUser Guide.
Lights may be switched on and off using the Off and On buttons , while dimming is controlled using the
corresponding slider switch.
Next Steps
You have now completed the SimplySNAP lighting solution introduction. For more detailed information, including
administration and configuration of zones, sensors, and behaviors, consult the SimplySNAP user manual.
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