Contents

Overview

Garcia mobile robots with an onboard host option realize their full utility when they are part of a network.  Knowledge of what networking configuration options are available can help one decide what the best approach is when working with Garcia with an onboard host processor. 

Existing Networks

One may choose to have the onboard host join an existing network infrastructure.  This is analogous to adding another computer to an existing lab or office network. 

Garcia robots participating in an established network.

It is recommended to use a static IP address eliminates the question of "what IP address?" that the onboard host can be located at.  Acroname recommends using this approach when working with a mobile robot on an existing network. 

One method to join an network is by using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).  This approach is commonly used on workstations and personal computers, but presents a unique challenge.  The issue is the IP address is dynamically assigned when joining the network.  Although this simplifies things when joining a network, it makes communicating with the robot significantly more difficult since the IP address may be different each time the onboard host joins the network. 

Detailed information for configuring the Gumstix Verdex Pro on a network can be found here . 

Ad-Hoc Networks

One networking option is to have the onboard host participate in a mobile "Ad-hoc" network (MANET).  This configuration does not require any established network infrastructure - computers can join or create a network when appropriate. 

When a onboard host participates in an Ad-Hoc network, it can join an existing Ad-Hoc network, if one with the same name/password exists, or will create one.  Each onboard host should have a unique IP address to prevent any issues. 

Detailed information for configuring the Gumstix Verdex Pro on a network can be found here . 

Ad-Hoc networks can be created to communicate between robots.

Garcia robots with an onboard host are configured by default to start with an Ad-hoc network on startup named "Garcia" and a unique IP address. 

Revision History:

• 2009-07-15: Created to outline and discuss common networking configurations used on Garcia.

Related Links:

How To: Configure a wireless card for the Stargate