Device Tracking: The app tracks devices by their IP address. You would need to set a static IP address for each device you want to track. This is necessary because if the device’s IP address changes (which can happen with DHCP), the app won’t be able to track it properly.
Port Scanning: The app checks whether the specified devices are reachable on the network by attempting to connect to a specified port. Closed ports are often used for this purpose. When a device is connected to Wi-Fi, the port, although closed, will respond in a certain way (usually by refusing the connection), indicating the device is present. If there’s no response (like the device is off or disconnected from Wi-Fi), it’s assumed to be away.
It’s important to note that the reliability of this method can vary based on several factors, like network configuration, device settings (some devices may turn off Wi-Fi to save power), and the accuracy of the IP address configuration. Additionally, with the increasing use of random MAC addresses by smartphones for privacy, tracking based on IP might be less reliable unless fixed IP addresses are assigned to devices.
Hey @balmli, pleased that you are taking over the development of the app!
I use non-purpose Smart Presence to detect the general readiness of IP devices on the network with a Fritzbox. So analogous to the ubiquity function. Works very well.
Just as a hint for you that there is more potential in the app that can be expanded in the future
I am using the app for a while now with good results, but since the update to 0.6.2 today it seems that my phone is not being noticed anymore on connecting to WiFi.
The flows I use work fine with the test button but when connecting/disconnecting from WiFi nothing happens anymore. My flows aren’t changed in any way and my IP address is still fixed and correct defined in the app config.
Is there something wrong with the update or do I need to reconfigure something? Please help, because I use smart presences for controlling my lighting every evening! Now it just stays dark
And yes, delay is 900s (unchanged after update of the app).
I will try to remove and add the flows and see if that makes a difference. If not I will send a diagnostic report to you.