How To: Configure iConnect to use hidden wlan SSID

[AlaskaWX]

If you are not afraid to SSH to your iConnect running meteohub Debian lenny and use the Nano editor you can easily configure the wlan interface to connect to a WiFi access point with a hidden SSID. I have been using this configuration for over a year and it has worked flawlessly.

The configuration allows for both wired connections using DHCP and WiFi connections using WPADHCP, either seperatly or at the same time.

To make this configuration, login to your iConnect using SSH and edit the /etc/network/interfaces file like this:

Code: Select all

# generated by meteohub
#
# /etc/network/interfaces
# configuration file for ifup(8), ifdown(8)
#
# mark for modem dialup
# (no dialup)
#
# The loopback interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
#
# The interface used by default during boot
# auto eth0
# netmask, gateway just used in case of static, unused for dhcp
iface eth0 inet dhcp
        netmask xx.xx.xx.xx
        gateway xx.xx.xx.xx
#
auto wlan0
# netmask, gateway just used in case of static, unused for dhcp
# hidden SSID using WPA PSK 
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
        wpa-driver wext
        wpa-ssid "yourHiddenSSID"
        wpa-ap-scan 1
        wpa-scan-ssid 1
        wpa-proto WPA RSN
        wpa-pairwise TKIP CCMP
        wpa-group TKIP CCMP
        wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
        wpa-psk "yourPSK"
        netmask xx.xx.xx.xx
        gateway xx.xx.xx.xx

Be sure to leave your values for wpa-ssid and wpa-psk inside of the double-quotes. Also be sure to place the values in place of xx.xx.xx.xx for your netmask and gateway. If you can't get the wlan configuration to work you can always connect the wired interface to an ethernet port that has DHCP.

Remember if you do this, avoid using the meteohub web interface to configure the network setting as it will overwrite them.

[admin]

Thanks for this interesting hint. Meteohub is from stock not able to handle Wifi without
a visible SSID, so your "hack" is highly welcome and does close a gap for users who need that.
excellent work!