Trixology

WeatherCat => WeatherCat iOS Clients => Topic started by: Blicj11 on February 24, 2015, 07:04:38 PM

Title: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on February 24, 2015, 07:04:38 PM
Grand:

All of sudden I am no longer able to connect via dyndns or directly to my static IP address either from my iPhone or iPad. I had the phone company out today and they verified they are not blocking any ports and the Internet is running fine. The ports are being forwarded correctly. The desktop WeatherCat client works. I have shut down my router for 5 minutes and brought it back up again. I have rebooted WeatherCat and verified that the WeatherCat server is running on port 49254. I don't know what else to try.

Any ideas?
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: The Grand Poohbah on February 24, 2015, 07:30:04 PM
There are a few things that you can check although I suspect you've already done this:

Change the settings on your iOS device to "Local" to verify that you can get any data.
Change the settings on your iOS device to the trixology-test address to verify that you can get data over the Internet.
Inspect the router administration page to verify that a private fixed IP address is still assigned to your host computer.
Inspect the host computer Network settings panel to verify that the private fixed IP address is being used.
Inspect the router settings to verify that the port range 49250 to 49254 is assigned the the private fixed IP address.
Wave 3 stalks of daffodils over your iOS device and say "Spring to life and bring me data!" three times.

Okay, may the last suggestion is a little far out, but I hope it made you smile. A smile can help. :)
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on February 24, 2015, 09:02:36 PM
Ha ha! Thanks for the laugh; I needed it.

Alas, I have already done all of those things. I know the port forwarding is working because the WeatherCat OS X client works. The static IP address is working for other applications that use it. The internal IP address assigned to the iMac running WeatherCat is correctly assigned.

I have tried everything I can think of except the daffodils and they are in short supply during the winter.

It appears that something internal is blocking the IOS client from seeing its target. If anyone can think of anything else, please let me know.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: WCDev on February 24, 2015, 10:18:14 PM
Can you connect OK to trixology-test.dyndns.org? If that's fine, it's likely something internal to your network.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on February 25, 2015, 04:43:11 AM
Can you connect OK to trixology-test.dyndns.org? If that's fine, it's likely something internal to your network.

Yes, I can get the your test site fine. The puzzling thing is that the static IP is working great for other applications and the WeatherCat client is working find as well, which means, as you say, something in my internal network is wonky and I cannot figure out what it is!
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 01, 2015, 07:16:57 AM
Well, I ran out of ideas. So in desperation I deleted the WeatherCat iOS app, reinstalled it and it works like a champion. So now I am a certified WeatherCat iOS app expert.  :)
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: LesCimes on March 03, 2015, 01:55:41 AM
Deleting and app from iOS is, actually, a fairly common recommendation for solving app problems. There isn't much else one can do within iOS; it is pretty tightly "sealed" though I have heard that the determined can work their way into the inner workings of iOS. Glad your problem is resolved.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on March 06, 2015, 04:51:23 AM
I've had this same problem for a couple of months now. Local works fine, trixology-test works fine, my own ip does not work. This is after using WeatherCat without difficulty since its initial release. I've deleted the port forwarding entry on my router and redone it from scratch without any success. I've also tried all the other suggestions given here, except the daffodils, because I don't want to get caught picking my neighbor's flowers. WeatherCat either endlessly continues, "checking the connection..." or hangs entirely and I have to  force quit it. Uninstalling and reinstalling WeatherCat will usually give me at least one clean connection before the problem resumes, but tonight even that won't work. This might have started about the time that we had a power failure and I got a new IP address when the modem reconnected, but usually when this happens, I just plug in the new address and everything is fine. I'm at a complete loss....
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 06, 2015, 07:18:07 AM
First of all, welcome to the forum kmatley. And we are in the same boat. Deleting and reinstalling the iOS app gave me an Internet connection for about a day and now I am back to no connection. I tried again to delete it and reinstall. This time that did nothing. There is obviously something in the local network preventing the iOS app from connecting but for the life of me, I cannot figure out what it is. The iOS apps worked flawlessly for me for a long time and I have not changed anything in my network setup. Frustrating ins't it?
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on March 06, 2015, 04:46:02 PM
Thanks for the welcome. I've been a lurker for a long, long time so it surprised me to see that I've only now just made my first post.

Another twist. After my last reinstall of WeatherCat, I've found that if I click the home button to close the WeatherCat window while it is in its checking settings hang, when I return to the app it gives me readings, but the readings I get are those of the trixology-test site, not mine, even though the network setting has my address selected.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: The Grand Poohbah on March 06, 2015, 07:57:02 PM
The iOS apps worked flawlessly for me for a long time and I have not changed anything in my network setup. Frustrating ins't it?

This is frustratingly mysterious as the iOS network connection code has been unchanged for the past two releases. What about DynDNS. Could that be the culprit?

It would be helpful, as a test, if someone could try to "connect" to your server using one of the iOS apps from outside your network. Has that been tried?
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: The Grand Poohbah on March 06, 2015, 08:08:49 PM
Another twist. After my last reinstall of WeatherCat, I've found that if I click the home button to close the WeatherCat window while it is in its checking settings hang, when I return to the app it gives me readings, but the readings I get are those of the trixology-test site, not mine, even though the network setting has my address selected.

Here's another one: If I change the URL for the Internet connection to something totally bogus and return from Settings, I get a "Checking..." message. Then, while the "Checking..." message is showing, I press the Home button to return to the Home screen and tap WeatherCat again. The "Checking..." message goes away and is replaced by, get this, a valid and current set of readings for the original URL. It will continue to update periodically as if the URL was correct. Feature or bug? (Don't-cha just love this stuff? It's almost as good as an Inspector Rebus mystery.)
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 07, 2015, 12:08:07 AM
What about DynDNS. Could that be the culprit?

No, because every other app I use that goes through dyndns.org works fine. Also, in my WeatherCat iOS app I have now replaced the dyndns entry with my static IP address and it still won't connect.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: WCDev on March 07, 2015, 07:21:33 AM
Have you tried a restart of the iPhone?
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 07, 2015, 07:49:02 AM
Just tried a restart of the iPhone. Alas, no joy.  :(
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on March 08, 2015, 10:28:07 PM
I tried removing the URL for my network and substituting a bogus one. When I quit and restart WeatherCat it takes me back to the trixology test site.

I'm trying to think what might have changed when this problem started. Although I don't remember for sure, it might have been after updating from iOS 8.1.1 to 8.1.2. I'm on 8.1.3 now so if a problem was introduced with the iOS update it's still there.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 09, 2015, 05:43:44 AM
What router are you using? Mine's an Apple Time Capsule.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on March 09, 2015, 09:06:28 PM
I'm using an ASUS wireless router. I've had it about a year and there weren't any problems until a couple of months ago.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 09, 2015, 09:48:40 PM
Dang it. I was sure we were using the same router and that would narrow down our search.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 12, 2015, 10:59:25 PM
I upgraded to iOS 8.2 but that did not unlock the mystery.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: WCDev on March 12, 2015, 11:12:33 PM
I'm assuming a router reboot doesn't help?
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 12, 2015, 11:16:44 PM
Correct. Dang it.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 15, 2015, 05:34:21 AM
Tonight both iPad and iPhone apps are working perfectly. The only thing I did was reinstall OS X (10.10.2) due to a problem with my iMac going to sleep. Just happened to try the iOS apps and they are working fine. I'll check them again tomorrow and report back.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on March 16, 2015, 05:01:07 PM
Kmatley, are you using Yosemite?

I have now gone through the weekend with the iOS apps working every time I check. They started working after I reinstalled the OS X. This might be worth it for you to try. I had a backup of my iMac in case this went wrong, but I just followed the instructions and the OS X reinstalled, preserving all the data and all my settings.

Here is how you do it in Yosemite (and Mavericks):
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on April 12, 2015, 08:36:14 PM
While my ability to connect through the iOS client is up and down, I thought I would post an update. A couple of days ago I upgraded to iOS 8.3 and OS X 10.10.3. After restarting everything, I can once again use the iOS apps (both of them). It appears to me that the connection time is faster under iOS 8.3.

I don't know how long I will be able to stay connected, but it had been a couple of weeks since I have been able to connect until I upgraded the software. Maybe Apple inadvertently fixed this issue with these releases. I know connectivity is not a problem for most iOS users, but for those of us who have trouble, we remain hopeful that something will allow us to return to the good old days when the Grand Poobah's app connected every time.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on April 15, 2015, 11:58:46 PM
I got frustrated and just stopped trying. Interesting about the software updates. I'll have to try updating my iPhone this evening, and if that doesn't work, I'll reinstall Yosemite.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: The Grand Poohbah on April 16, 2015, 02:15:41 AM
I just finished a correspondence with an iOS client user that was having problems connecting. The connection problem went away after he installed iOS 8.3.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on April 16, 2015, 05:04:45 AM
I got frustrated and just stopped trying. Interesting about the software updates. I'll have to try updating my iPhone this evening, and if that doesn't work, I'll reinstall Yosemite.

Let us know what happens.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: kmatley on April 19, 2015, 03:56:40 PM
I updated?not reinstalled?Yosemite this morning and my connectivity has been restored. Thank you, Blicj11 and GP!
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on April 21, 2015, 02:33:29 AM
I have now gone about 2 weeks with great connectivity. I am keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps we are out of the woods on this..
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: rcnz on May 08, 2015, 06:00:15 AM
Alas: I'm similarly afflicted.

I've had WC OS X/iOS since I got my weather station (4 years+), and am delighted with all Apps.

Running:

iOS 8.3:

  iPhone WC 1.3 (140919)
  iPad WC 2.0 (150221)

OS X 10.10.3

  WC OS X 2.00 Build 4475 (2.0.0)



WC on Mac is faithfully uploading to WU (IAUCKLAN159)

WC iOS receives both trixology-test dyn sites' info OK

When I select Local on the iPad, the "Checking the connection" changes immediately to "Searching for local" -  that screen stays for ages, then the screen displays the internet (trixology) info, while the Settings page stays on Local.

When I select Local on the iPhone, the "Checking the connection" message stays for ages, but the screen displays the internet (trixology) info, but the Settings page stays on Local

This has gone on since around the date of the first post to this thread.

I update my OS X within days of releases; iOS ditto; App updates ditto, especially WX apps. This problem began while Mavericks was running, but didn't coincide with Mavericks' installation.

VERY grateful for any new tips (tried all here to date; haven't deleted/reinstalled WC OS X)

Thanks,

Robin..

Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on May 08, 2015, 09:14:20 AM
It's got something to do with Yosemite, but I can't figure out what. Sometimes, when I reboot OS X, the WC iOS apps stop working and they stay stopped until some subsequent reboot, when they suddenly start working and stay working for long periods of time. It's not every reboot, just some, but it is definitely rebooting that changes the connectivity of the apps. When one connects, all iOS devices can connect. When one cannot connect, none can. That is why I have ruled out the device and determined that it is OS X. Since I reinstalled OS X, the iOS devices have properly connected more often than they have failed to connect. And once they start, they will connect every time, until a subsequent reboot prevents them from connecting. It is very frustrating.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: rcnz on May 08, 2015, 09:45:45 AM
Thanks, Blicj11.

This began before Yosemite, during Mavericks' reign.

Are you suggesting I re-install Yosemite?

I've done many reboots of the Mac, but while they fixed the problem needing the reboot, WC wasn't affected.

STOP PRESS: I've just restarted OS X WC, and both iThingies are back with WC Local!


Perhaps we were too eager to laugh at the daffodils...

Your post prompted me to try a restart of WC, so double thanks.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on May 08, 2015, 09:48:26 AM
Glad to hear it. Don't know why this does not affect all iOS users, but it just seems to be a few of us. I'm curious about the age of your iMac. Mine is a late 2013 model.
Title: Yosemite WiFi is still messed up. (Re: Cannot Connect)
Post by: elagache on May 08, 2015, 10:46:39 PM
Dear Blick, rcnz, and WeatherCat system administrators,

Unfortunately even the current versions of OS X and iOS still has some serious WiFi bugs.  iTunes is unable to maintain connection to either my iPhone or iPad over our WiFi network, when all WiFi devices in the house work just fine.  Rebooting the Mac does help, but after a day or so iTunes will lose the connection again.  Leaving users without this sort of core functionality for so long is really inexcusable.  Apple really needs to get its act together and get is back to the stability of Snow Leopard.

Edouard
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: xairbusdriver on May 13, 2015, 09:59:02 PM
Just noticed both the iPad and iPhone had "lost connection". I've been 'messin' with WeatherCat on a different Mac last weekend, so I assume that I had done something to cause this. I'll re-boot the mini and see if things return to what passes for normal in my life! [lol]

That seems to have fixed things. [cheer]
Title: My installs okay - for now! (Re: Cannot Connect)
Post by: elagache on May 13, 2015, 11:25:32 PM
Dear xairbusdriver and WeatherCat gadget junkies . . .

Just noticed both the iPad and iPhone had "lost connection".

Since you raised the question, I just double-checked and both my iPhone and iPad connect fine to WeatherCat - at the moment!  I've never had problems, but it could be that Bonjour doesn't work as well with some WiFi setups.  It is odd because Blick has an Apple WiFi access spot if I recall correctly, while I have an old NetGear access point running 3rd party firmware!

Ours is not to reason . . . . .

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: xairbusdriver on May 13, 2015, 11:38:03 PM
Now that I have a site up & running, the iOS app is just not used very much. I tried entering my site's url, but it would not connect. I assume the app doesn't use the data on that web site. That's probably why Stu has his/a url already in the "Internet 1" & "Internet 2" buttons. Unfortunately, the weather at his location is usually much different than mine...  [lol]
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on May 14, 2015, 01:46:17 PM
Stu did not develop the iOS app. It is from the Grand Poobah. Grand has Stu's URL in the app to test the Internet connection. The theory is if they will connect to Stu's site, they should connect to your site, if you have the settings properly sorted on your router.

From The Grand Poobah himself, earlier in this thread:

There are a few things that you can check although I suspect you've already done this:

1. Change the settings on your iOS device to "Local" to verify that you can get any data.
2. Change the settings on your iOS device to the trixology-test address to verify that you can get data over the Internet.
3. Inspect the router administration page to verify that a private fixed IP address is still assigned to your host computer.
4. Inspect the host computer Network settings panel to verify that the private fixed IP address is being used.
5. Inspect the router settings to verify that the port range 49250 to 49254 is assigned the the private fixed IP address.


Number 3 is especially important if you have moved your WeatherCat installation to a new computer.

If you have already done all of these and still no joy, which is what happened to me, you can try reinstalling Yosemite. Something does not play nice for some issuers only between OS X and the iOS app. Nobody knows what it is. For me, rebooting the machine on which WeatherCat runs will periodically cause the iOS app to stop connecting. Several more reboots will eventually cause the app to start working again. For me, during the times when the app will not connect via the Internet, it always connects locally.

Since this started happening to me, I have noticed that it's all or nothing. In other words, if the iPhone app won't connect, neither will the iPad app. If one of them will connect, they will both connect.

During the times when I can't get the iOS app to connect, I use the WU app to see my weather data, or simply go to my site on my iOS device. But what I love about the iOS app, when it's working, is the ability to see the WeatherCat Core data: Station Comms, Good Data and Comms Errors.
Title: Re: Cannot Connect
Post by: Blicj11 on November 30, 2015, 03:11:01 PM
Felix posted something to try in another thread. http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1894.msg17417#msg17417

You might give this a shot if you are still having problems.

My iOS apps are currently able to connect. Every once in a great while they fail. For me, eventually, enough reboots of my wireless router seems to solve the connection problems for the apps. I am using a static IP address for my external applications and DHCP with manually assigned IP addresses for all of my hardware. Therefore, my hardware operates on permanently assigned DHCP connections. This type of connection does not provide the option to renew the DHCP address; I could try changing the manual IP address, but that seems like too much work at the minute.