Standalone mode

Overview

Standalone Mode empowers you to configure your node's network interfaces directly, even without an internet connection to the Barbara Panel. This is particularly beneficial for:

• Offline Deployments: Enables network setup for nodes at customer locations or areas with limited connectivity.
• Independent Configuration: Provides the flexibility to adjust network settings locally without relying on the Panel.

While Standalone Mode overrides Panel configurations, the Panel will still reflect any changes you make locally. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Standalone Mode Enabled: Local configuration takes precedence; utilize the node's interface for network setup.
• Standalone Mode Disabled: Rely on the Barbara Panel for all network adjustments.

This article dives deeper into the benefits and steps involved in utilizing Standalone Mode, equipping you to manage your node's network settings effectively, even in offline environments.

Standalone Mode UI

Standalone UI

• (a) Standalone Mode status (red for disabled or green for activated)
• (b) "Show Credentials" button
• (c) "Enable" button (which will be disabled until the configuration is added)
• (d) "Disable" button
• (e) "Config & Enable" button

Access Standalone Mode

To open Standalone Mode go to the top-middle of your Panel and select the “Advanced Options” button from the “Node Details” menu.

Advanced Options

Scroll down in the “Advanced Actions” menu until you see the Standalone Mode tab.

Advanced Options

Configure & Enable Standalone Mode

To activate Standalone Mode you must press "Config & Enable" button and select an interface from the following options:

• "Any Interface": recommended for both WiFi and Ethernet interfaces.
• "EthX": Any available ethernet interface.
• "WlanX": Any available WiFi/WLAN interface.

Interface options

warning

Once Standalone Mode is enabled, remote configuration of network settings from your Panel will be disabled.

Any Interface

Any Interface selected

Our most flexible, and highly recommended, option. The “Any Interface” configuration will work with any available WiFi or Ethernet interfaces. In this scenario, the connection will be established using the interface IPs provided by DHCP and it won’t need any additional configuration.

tip

Choose this option if you're connected to the same local network as the node and you don't need to adjust the node’s network settings.

Ethernet Interface

Ethernet Interface selected

The "EthX" option enables you to securely configure your node through either a LAN network or a direct connection to your laptop.

tip

The number of ethernet interfaces (eth0, eth1, etc) that appear in this panel depends on the hardware of the node.

There are two possible ways to make this connection:

a) Connecting through a LAN network

tip

Choose this option if you're connected to the same local network as the node and you don't need to adjust the node’s network settings.

1. Configure:

   • IP
   • NETMASK
   • Gateway (optional)
   • DNS (optional)
   • Metric (optional)

2. Press the “Enable” button.

3. Make sure your laptop is connected to the same LAN as the Ethernet interface you’ve selected.

4. Go to the "Networking Card" section and copy the IP address (IP_ADDRESS) of the selected WLAN interface.

5. Open your browser and enter the URL: IP_ADDRESS:4010

6. The network configuration’s local interface should now be displayed in your browser.

b) Direct connection from laptop to node

tip

Select this mode if you’re directly connected to the node via an Ethernet cable.

1. Configure:

   • IP
   • NETMASK
   • Gateway (optional)
   • DNS (optional)
   • Metric (optional)

2. Press the “Enable” button.

3. Connect your laptop to the node using an Ethernet cable.

4. On your laptop, configure Ethernet settings as follows:

   • Disable DHCP
   • Choose an IP Address in the same range as the one the node has configured.
   • Select the same Netmask that is configured in the node.

Laptop Eth config

5. Go to the “Networking Card” section and copy the IP address (IP_ADDRESS) of the selected Ethernet interface.
6. Open your web browser and enter the URL: IP_ADDRESS:4010
7. The network configuration’s local interface should now be displayed in your browser.

WiFi/WLAN Interface

tip

Choose this option if you're on the same local network as the node's WiFi and you need to modify certain WiFi settings.

WLAN Interface selected

tip

The number of WLAN interfaces (wlan0, wlan1, etc) that appear in this panel depends on the hardware of the node.

1. Configure:

   • SSID
   • Password
   • IP
   • NETMASK
   • Gateway (optional)
   • DNS (optional)
   • Metric (optional)

2. Press the “Enable” button.

3. Make sure your laptop is connected to the same WiFi as the WLAN interface you’ve selected.

4. Go to the "Networking Card" section and copy the IP address (IP_ADDRESS) of the selected WLAN interface.

5. Open your browser and enter the URL: IP_ADDRESS:4010

6. The network configuration’s local interface should now be displayed in your browser.

Network Configuration Via Local Interface

Log in to your local network configuration (via local interface) by entering your login credentials, including your username and password.

Local Interface Login

If you don’t remember your login details you can go to your Panel's Standalone tab and click "Show Credentials" to reveal them.

Show Credentials

tip

The Standalone password is automatically generated by the Panel. If you need to reset your password, simply click the "Regenerate" button (highlighted in red).

Show Credentials

Once you enter your correct username and password on the login page, you'll be able to access the local network configuration site. Here, you can configure all the network interfaces that are available on the node, including the interface used for Standalone Mode.

Local Interface

In the local network configuration site you can set the network configuration for any available interface in the same way as in Panel.

warning

Any changes made to the network interface settings locally will be updated in the Panel but only if the node is online.

Disabling Standalone Mode

Once you have finished configuring the network interface settings you can easily disable Standalone Mode by clicking the "Disable" button.

Disabling Standalone Mode

After disabling Standalone Mode, you will see the status "Disabled" with a red circle.

Standalone Mode Disabled

Also, you can resume using your Panel for remote configuration as usual.