User Manual

RN131/171 Evaluation Kit User’s Guide
DS50002183A-page 26  2013 Microchip Technology Inc.
FIGURE 2-7: CONNECT TO A SECURE NETWORK
2.4.4 Configuration Using AP Mode
AP mode released as part of the standard firmware replaces Ad hoc mode.
AP mode provides several advantages over Ad hoc mode.
In AP mode:
• The module creates a soft AP network to which Android devices (smartphones
and tablets) can join. (Android devices do not support ad hoc networking.)
• The module runs a DHCP server and issues IP addresses to seven clients, which
is much faster than automatic IP in Ad hoc mode.
• The RN131/171 module supports security, unlike Ad hoc, which is an open mode.
• The module supports routing between clients.
Load the appropriate firmware, version 2.45 or later, to enable the AP mode. Modify the
boot image to version 2.45 to use AP mode. Change the module’s firmware image
using the boot image <value> command. After changing the boot image, reset the
module back to the factory defaults using the Factory reset and reboot commands.
The following firmware images are available from the Microchip website:
• Wifly_EZX-236.img—Ad hoc mode firmware for RN171
• Wifly_GSX-236.img—Ad hoc mode firmware for RN131
• Wifly_EZX-245.img—Soft AP mode for RN171
• Wifly_GSX-245.img—Soft AP mode for RN131
The following sections describe how to use the AP mode with RN Wi-Fi modules, includ-
ing configuring the module to act as an AP, enabling AP mode in hardware and software,
and ending data to the module from a remote host.
Note: RN131/171 module firmware can be upgraded to the latest version through
FTP update. For additional information on FTP update and commands, refer
to “WiFly Command Reference, Advanced Features and Applications User’s
Guide” from the Microchip web site at http://www.microchip.com.
In firmware version 2.36 (ad hoc mode), the auto join feature is enabled to
maintain backwards compatibility. In version 2.45 (AP mode), auto join is dis-
abled and must be explicitly enabled using the set wlan join 1 command.