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Networking

Networking is where you set device identity, manage interface addressing, and configure NetworkTables (NT4) integration behavior.

Identity (Hostname + Team)​

  • Hostname is required. It is used by the UI, APIs, and as the default NT4 publish prefix.
  • Team number is optional. If set, HeliOS derives an NT4 roboRIO host as 10.TE.AM.2.

Examples:

  • 6390 -> 10.63.90.2
  • 6364 -> 10.63.64.2
  • 9180 -> 10.91.80.2
  • 10527 -> 10.105.27.2

If your network supports mDNS, the Web UI is often reachable at:

  • http://<hostname>.local:5800/ (example: http://helios.local:5800/)

If mDNS does not work, use the device IP address (from your router/DHCP leases), or scan your team subnet.

Example scan (replace the subnet with your team number):

# Example team 6390 (10.63.90.0/24)
nmap -p 5800 --open 10.63.90.0/24

Interfaces (DHCP vs Static)​

In the UI, pick an interface from the Interface dropdown, then choose:

  • Dynamic (DHCP): requests a DHCP lease.
  • Static: applies a manual IPv4 override until you clear/change it.

Notes:

  • When Static is selected, the UI requires:
    • Address
    • Prefix (1-32)
    • Gateway
  • When Dynamic (DHCP) is selected and the device has a lease, the UI shows the current lease (address/prefix and optional gateway) so you can confirm what the device actually received.
  • Buttons:
    • Persist changes for identity
    • Apply addressing for the selected interface

NetworkTables (NT4)​

HeliOS can connect to an NT4 server (commonly the roboRIO) and publish/subscribe topics.

Connection Settings​

  • Enable NT4 publishing: toggles publishing from the device to the NT4 server.
  • Enable NT4 subscriptions: toggles subscription reads (required for the Explorer).
  • Emulate Limelight API: exposes Limelight-style NT4 integration data when enabled.
  • Emulate PhotonVision API: exposes PhotonVision-style NT4 integration data when enabled.
  • Server host override: if empty, the UI uses the derived roboRIO host from your team number (when available).
  • Server port: defaults to 5810.

Publish Prefix + Topics​

  • Publish prefix is derived from hostname:
    • If hostname is set: /<hostname>
    • Otherwise: /helios
  • The UI shows the topics it publishes under the prefix, including:
    • <prefix>/info/hostname
    • <prefix>/info/api_url
    • <prefix>/info/ui_url
    • <prefix>/info/streams

Public URLs​

  • Public API URL (optional): a URL you want published for other systems to call the device API.
  • Public UI URL: published automatically by the device from its reported network identity.

Explorer Availability​

The NT4 Explorer implementation still exists in the stack, but the current Settings UI build keeps it hidden.

Treat the Networking tab as the place to configure NT4 connection behavior and protocol emulation, not as a live topic browser.