Managing devices

A device is added to a site from Cloud, using the device's own web interface to complete the handshake, or from Pharos Designer or Pharos Express.

Every route needs one thing: an outgoing internet connection on each device's Ethernet port. If your network restricts outbound access, see Network requirements.

With Pharos Designer or Pharos Express:

Pick whichever route suits you — the result is the same.

Adding a device from Cloud

This route needs access to the device's local web interface.

1. Start in Cloud. On the site's Devices tab, select Add device on the right of the screen.

2. Name the device. It does not have to match the device name set in Designer, though it usually makes sense for it to.

3. Copy the device key. A device key is generated. Select it to copy.

Note

Keys are valid for seven days from creation. Cloud rejects an older key and the device will not connect. To generate a fresh key for a device, follow Replacing a device.

4. Open the device's web interface. Select Connect under Cloud on the Home page.

5. Paste the key. Put it in the box and select Set Device Key.

6. Wait for provisioning. The status changes to Connecting, then Connected. This can take a few minutes. Once it completes, the web interface updates with site-related information.

7. Check the site. The device now shows as Online on the site's Devices tab.

With Pharos Designer:

Adding a device from Designer

Designer has the integration built in, so a device can be added to a Cloud site without leaving the software.

1. Enable the Cloud feature in project Features.

2. Choose the site. Near the top of the Project Properties tab, select the Cloud site option to Choose site….

3. Sign in. Enter your Cloud credentials, then choose your site from the list.

4. Read the status column. In Network view, the Status column shows each device's Cloud state.

Icon	Meaning
Solid blue cloud	Associated and active in your Cloud site
Hollow cloud	Previously associated, not currently active
Greyed out	Devices exist in the site but you are not signed in

To sign back in, select the hollow cloud icon beside the issues icon. A solid icon means you are signed in.

5. Add the device. Select Add device to Cloud at the bottom of the device Properties tab in Network view. The connection status dialog appears.

If the button is disabled, either the device has an incorrect network setting — the issues dialog will say which — or it already exists in the Cloud site. In the second case you can upload to it, or use Disconnect device from Cloud if it belongs to a different site.

6. Confirm. Once the device has been added, Add device to Cloud becomes disabled and the device shows as Online in Cloud.

With Pharos Express:

Adding a device from Express

Express uses the Configure Cloud helper, reached from the Cloud icon in device Properties.

1. Enter your Cloud URL. Open the Configure Cloud helper and give it the address of your portal. A valid URL is required to continue.

2. Sign in. Enter your username and password. If the account has two-factor authentication enabled, you are prompted for a code — see Signing in.

3. Choose your site from the list of those available to you.

4. Commit the configuration. The helper summarises the changes it will make. Commit them to save the configuration into the project.

5. Add the device to the site. The device reports whether it is already connected to the site. If it is not, device Properties offers a single-click option to add it — supply a name for the device as it will appear in the site.

Note

This only works if the account you signed in with holds the permission to add a device to that site. See User permissions.

6. Confirm. The device then reports that it is connected. If the device is already online in a different site, Express says so rather than moving it.

Once connected, you can see the device's status directly in Express and upload project files to it remotely. When uploading, a toggle controls whether the file transfers to the device immediately or only lands in Cloud.

Note

Express remembers some of these details to make later sign-ins quicker, but you have to sign in again each time you open Express or open a project.

Device status in Cloud

Where the portal has a published supported devices list:

For more on supported firmware, see Supported devices.

Replacing a device

Replacing keeps the site entry and swaps the hardware behind it.

1. Select the device using the circle to the left of its name in the device table.
2. Select Replace from the options for the given device.
3. Copy the device key to the new device and paste it in, the same way as when adding a device.

The device name is retained. Everything else the old device reported is discarded and replaced by the new device's information.

Important

Settings related to the device are retained where possible, but if the device type has changed, tasks and actions associated with it may become invalid. Check the Tasks tab for conflicts afterwards.

Removing a device

1. Select an offline device using the circle to the left of its name.
2. Select Remove from the options for the given device.

The device is removed from the site and stops trying to connect to it.