ELK-7TS (new Touchscreen) IP address oddities

[Ira]

I started a new thread on the Elk Support Forum (on the ELK company website) about some issues I'm having when trying to set up a new ELK-7TS touchscreen and ELK-POE47TS PoE/LAN adapter for an M1G. Really odd to me. Just wondering if anyone here might know what's going on. Here's what I posted...

I'm trying to set up an ELK-7TS (using the ELK-POE47TS for power and hardwired LAN connection). I did the manual setup for the details of the M1G.​

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I couldn't find a way to set up a static IP address for the 7TS. When I checked the log on my firewall (which is also my DHCP server), I saw that the 7TS was trying to get an IP address from the DHCP server. The DHCP server is set up to assign reserved IP addresses based on device MAC addresses. Unknown MAC addresses are blocked, so the 7TS DHCP request was blocked/denied.​

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Another thing I noticed was that every time I rebooted the 7TS, it started up with a different MAC address, and each one was a lot different than the others.​

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Is there a way to assign a static IP address on the 7TS (which is my preferred solution)? If not, is there a way to keep the 7TS from changing its MAC address every time it starts? Allowing any unknown MAC address to obtain an IP address via the DHCP server is a huge security risk, so I can't do that.​

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Any other suggestions on how to use the 7TS and POE47TS with a static or reserved IP address?​

 

[Ira]

In case anyone else hits this problem...

Elk Support said there is currently no way to specify a static IP address, gateway, etc. on the 7TS, but they are looking into providing that. I also found that there was a MAC address displayed on one of the "WiFi settings" panels, and it didn't change at every reboot. I set up a reserved IP address on my DHCP server for that MAC address, then rebooted the 7TS. Again, it tried to connect via a different/new MAC address which was blocked.

I tried connecting via WiFi, but that failed. Every time I entered my access point password, it failed with "invalid password".

I disconnected the POE47TS ethernet/PoE adapter and connected a 12VDC power supply. This time, the access point accepted the password, and I got the 7TS on my LAN. I was also able to connect to my M1G.

At this point, I'm waiting to find out if/when Elk will provide support for entering a static IP address via the 7TS. Elk Support didn't know why the MAC address changed for the hardwired interface every time I rebooted, but they are researching it. I found out that the 7TS is using the Android OS under the covers, and it has an option to randomize the MAC address (like my iPhone can), but that "feature" should be disabled (and it is hidden) on the 7TS.

 

[Mark S.]

I had as similar experience setting up my 7TS. I don't remember every problem I had, but I do recall it took a few reboots to get it to connect via wifi. Although I prefer hardwired connections, I have not yet purchased the POE adapter. I also had a big issue doing the resync - it would basically lock up and crash on me, repeatedly. Persistence finally got it done. In my experience, the software was very very flakey. Lots of lockups and disconnects/reconnects. The next day I would find it disconnected again. It was so unreliable that I have not yet mounted it for use. It sits in my basement, hoping that future software updates will fix it.

After reading your posts, I thought I would try to set the 7TS with a static IP address. I updated the software to the latest (1.0.402). Then I simply used my Unifi router to change the existing DHCP IP address to a static one of my choosing, and then reconnected. The 7TS accepted the new IP address and it seems to work fine. Not that it helps you, but thought I would share.

I don't recall any issues with the MAC address. But can't you turn off your MAC restriction, set your static IP address via your router, then turn your MAC restriction back on once it is connected via the MAC that works?

 

[Ira]

I had as similar experience setting up my 7TS. I don't remember every problem I had, but I do recall it took a few reboots to get it to connect via wifi. Although I prefer hardwired connections, I have not yet purchased the POE adapter. I also had a big issue doing the resync - it would basically lock up and crash on me, repeatedly. Persistence finally got it done. In my experience, the software was very very flakey. Lots of lockups and disconnects/reconnects. The next day I would find it disconnected again. It was so unreliable that I have not yet mounted it for use. It sits in my basement, hoping that future software updates will fix it.

After reading your posts, I thought I would try to set the 7TS with a static IP address. I updated the software to the latest (1.0.402). Then I simply used my Unifi router to change the existing DHCP IP address to a static one of my choosing, and then reconnected. The 7TS accepted the new IP address and it seems to work fine. Not that it helps you, but thought I would share.

I don't recall any issues with the MAC address. But can't you turn off your MAC restriction, set your static IP address via your router, then turn your MAC restriction back on once it is connected via the MAC that works?

I consider a static IP address as one that is hardcoded on the device and doesn't rely on or use the DHCP server at all. I got the 7TS on my LAN by using its WiFi interface and, on my DHCP server, creating a "reserved IP address" for the WiFi MAC address of the 7TS that doesn't change. So the WiFi connection is not using a static IP address.

I saw your previous posts about the problems you were having, so I expected some problems when I bought this. It's for a new home that won't be ready for a few months, so I am hoping that it is more reliable by that time. It's running Version 1.0.238 build 182 and Firmware 2.0.14, so I guess I'm already back-level.

 

[Ira]

Elk Support said there is a problem with the POE47TS adapter, and that it is responsible for telling the 7TS to disable the random MAC address generator. They have a fix, but it requires the adapter to be programmed at the factory. They will replace my adapter with a new one that has the fix on it once they get them in stock.

 

[Ira]

Elk has replacement POE47TS adapters available now. If you are having the problem I described above, you can contact Elk Support to get a RMA number. You can then send your adapter back to Elk and they will send you a replacement. I sent mine back today, so waiting for the replacement.