ASIAir not working in station mode with some devices.

Aztaloth

I have an ASIAir that I love but it is making me pull my hair out (or would be if I had any left).
I can connect to it from any of my devices if I am connected directly to the device through Wifi. However when I put it in station mode I have some trouble. My MacOS and iOS devices can still connect just fine. These include an iPad, iPhone, and a Macbook pro.

However the computer I need to connect to it with is my Windows 11 laptop. I am running the ASIAir app through Windows Subsystem for Android. Like the other devices, if the computers wifi is connected directly to the ASIAir it works. However if I am connected over Ethernet or through the ASIAir in station mode with my home network it will only see the ASIAir about 1 in 20 times. Sometimes I can use the IP to connect directly, but this doesn't always work either.
I thought it could be the fairly strict firewall and filtering settings I have on my home network so I tried it over at my parents house using their basic home network and have the same issue.

I have tried using station mode, I have tried using direct connection through Ethernet to my home network. I even tried a completely different windows 11 computer.

As a test I also tried a few different android apps that would access my local network and none of them have any issues.

Is there an issue with the Android app an station mode that I have missed? A conflict with the Windows subsystem for Android? Am I just missing something really basic?

I know I can connect directly, and at my house or a dark site that is fine. However, my most important use case will require both the ASIAir and the computer to be connected to the home network.

As an aside, I also tested using Bluestacks and am having the same problem.

Corsair

Aztaloth
It sounds like there's something going on with the Windows 11 laptop if it works for other devices.

What model ASIAIR do you have?

When directly connecting the ASIAIR via Ethernet cable to your home network - the ASIAIR doesn't need to be in Station Mode. Can you test this particular method again but without the ASIAIR in Station Mode? i.e.

In the ASIAIR - forget any known WiFi networks and turn off Station Mode.
Connect an Ethernet cable from the ASIAIR to the router connected to your home network.
Go to the admin portal page of your router and check that the ASIAIR shows up as an Ethernet connected device. Make a note of the IP address it has allocated to the ASIAIR. In fact - tell it to always allocate this IP address to the ASIAIR.
Using your MacOS and iOS devices connected to your home network (NOT the ASIAIR WiFI) test to see if you can access the ASIAIR via the ASIAIR App.
Using your Windows 11 laptop connected to your home network (NOT the ASIAIR WiFi) test to see if you can access the ASIAIR via the ASIAIR App (running via Windows Subsystem for Android and running via Bluestacks 5).

Let's focus on getting this working first before trying station mode.

franco

Aztaloth

I use Vysor. I have an android phone but I think it works for Apple.

Aztaloth

Corsair

Thank you for your reply. I disabled Station mode and did correct directly to my network via ethernet. All devices except the Laptop and Windows Desktop see the ASIair. So same situation.

I was able to connect to it using the IP address from the laptop. However I disconnected and tried reconnecting and it will no longer connect. All my iOS and MacOS devices can still connect flawlessly.

So to be clear on my order of operation this time:
Disabled station mode
Connected ASIAir directly to my network switch through ethernet
ASIAir was found by all iOS and MacOS devices on network. Was not seen through the ASIAir App on either Windows 11 machine
Connected using Windows 11 Laptop by using IP address.
Closed app on Win11 Laptop and re-opned it. Could not connect this time even when using the IP address
Verified that all iOS and MacOS devices were still able to connect.

I am really at a loss here. It almost seems like an issue with the Android app especially sinc I have tested it using Bluestacks as well. However I don't have an android phone or tablet to test with to cut out the computer side of things. Also to be clear I have tried this with 4 different windows machines and two separate networks in total and the problem has persisted across them all.

Corsair

Aztaloth
Hmmm. When I have my ASIAIR connected to my network via Ethernet:

I use Bluestacks 5 on my Windows 11 laptop to run the ASIAIR App
I use Bluestacks 5 on my Windows 10 desktop to run the ASIAIR App
I use my Android phone as well as my iPad to run the ASIAIR App

In all 3 situations it works for me.
Three questions:

What model ASIAIR do you have and what firmware are you running?
Where did you get the ASIAIR App from that you run on the Windows machines you have tested?
Have you tested on machines running Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Aztaloth

Corsair

I have a 32 GB plus model Running the most current firmware. I’m not at home right now, so I can’t look and verify the version. I did attempt to revert to the original firmware and redo the upgrade and the problem persisted.

I actually do not have access to any windows devices. So I haven’t been able to test that. I have a 256 GB version on the way for my second telescope. And I’m wondering if that will have the same issue or not

Aztaloth

Corsair
Also I downloaded the app through the link k. The ZWO page.

Corsair

Aztaloth
I'm assuming you meant to say you don't have access to any Windows 10 devices since you have a Windows 11 laptop?

You did say you tested with 4 different windows machines...

Aztaloth

Corsair sorry about that. I’m on mobile and should’ve paid closer attention. I have tried four different windows 11 computers. My desktop, my laptop, my wife’s work laptop, and another family member laptop. All of exhibited the same behavior on both networks I have tested.

Aztaloth

Corsair I had meant top say I had not been able to test on any Windows 10 machines. Sorry about that.

Corsair

Aztaloth @Tech@ZWO
Well, just tested with my Windows 11 Pro laptop (all up to date with Windows Updates) running the latest version of BlueStacks 5 with ASIAIR App 2.1-10.74.

I also have an ASIAIR Plus 32GB model.

Directly connecting to the ASIAIR WiFi: Worked fine

ASIAIR (Station Mode Off) connected via Ethernet to a travel router (GL.iNET MT-3000). My laptop connected to the Wi-Fi of the travel router: Worked fine

So I'm not sure what's going on for you there since the issue you are experiencing is specific to Windows devices.

I'm wondering - in Windows 11 have you set the Wi-Fi network to be a "Private network"?

Also - are you running BlueStacks 5 as Administrator (right-click on the shortcut, select properties, then compatibility, then tick "run this program as administrator")? In the BlueStacks 5 settings as well make sure you have memory allocation set to 4GB. I also have the "Phone" set to be a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

There's also a quirk I have with BlueStacks 5 on my Windows 11 laptop.

I have found that I have to start up BlueStacks 5 either not connected to any network OR connect to a network that has Internet access. If I connect to the ASIAIR Wi-Fi, for example, before starting up BlueStacks 5 then it BlueStacks refuses to load properly. So try one of those methods as well. Once BlueStacks 5 has started, then go to Windows Wi-Fi and connect to the ASIAIR Wi-Fi, then go back into BlueStacks 5 and launch the ASIAIR App.

Additionally - if you are running anything else such as a VPN or connected to any other network at the same time - make sure you don't do that at the moment.

Tech@ZWO

Thank you for your feedback, I conveyed it to our ASIAIR team.

AndrewV

Hi there. I have found that in bluestacks,5 even the my Asiair shows up in green as available to connect, it won't connect.
The solution I found to it was to connect to it via it's IP address, and then it connects straight away. I have do do this every time. As I have reserved this IP address for the ASIAir in my router, it never changes and is the only way I am able to connect to it via Bluestacks. My Android phone works fine without having to do this, even thought they are using the exact same APK.
Andrew.

Aztaloth

Thank you again. I am going back to the drawing board here. I am going to see about doing a complete factory reset on the ASIair and go from there. I also have a 256gb model on the way for my second rig. So we will see what happens in the next couple days as I test some more.

It is obvious I am doing something wrong or have a glitch in my specific ASIair.

I can’t properly express my appreciation for all the time you have taken to help me.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

Aztaloth

Welp, got in my 2nd ASIAir today and same issue. So obviously I have some configuration wrong somewhere. I will keep digging.

Thanks for the help guys. I really do appreciate it.

Corsair

Aztaloth
Considering you tried four difference Windows 11 computers your issue is going to be:

How you set up the ASIAIR App to run on the Windows 11 computers? and/or
How you have set up the Windows 11 computers to connect to the network? and/or
How you have setup the Windows 11 computers themselves.

Aztaloth

Corsair

I will answer as best as I can. I only have access to 2 of the Windows 11 computers currently so I can only confirm the settings on those. One of the others I borrowed from Family to test, and the other was a my original laptop that had issues with the fan so I exchanged it for the laptop I am using now.

ASIAir app is running though the Windows Subsystem for Android. (Tried bluestack but had a number of things I didn't like there). It has full permissions and the setting to allow access to local network is on.

The Desktop connects to the network over Ethernet. With the laptop I have tried wifi and Ethernet but is usually connected through Wifi.
Network is set to a private network. Windows firewall is using the default settings. I have additional security through my Ubiquiti network but those are all outward facing.

Here is the screen from both devices. Both connected to the same network while the ASIAir is connected to my network via ethernet. The Macbook pro which is a bit out of focus is able to see and connect to the device. But the Windows 11 laptop doesn't see it at all.

Corsair

Aztaloth and if you select "Connect via IP" and enter the IP address of the ASIAIR (which would be assigned to it by your Ubiquiti router - so bring up the admin page of the router, see what IP address it has allocated the ASIAIR, then make it always assign that IP address the ASIAIR) does it connect?

Aztaloth

Corsair I have managed to get it to connect that way a couple times. However only maybe 1 out of every 5 or 6 times if I power cycle everything.

Corsair

Aztaloth hmm. And does the same thing happen if you directly connect the Windows 11 computer to the ASIAIR WiFi?

Again - make sure the ASIAIR WiFi is set to be a Private Network in Windows 11.

Apologies if I'm asking things that have been answered before.

Aztaloth

Corsair
Connecting directly to the ASIAirs WiFi will allow access from the windows11 laptop.