What "zero configuration" means

Traditional remote access to observatory equipment requires network configuration: assigning a static IP to the observatory PC, opening firewall ports, setting up port forwarding on the router, and often a dynamic DNS service. This works, but it's a setup burden, and it can break when the router or ISP changes something.

The zero-configuration network feature removes that barrier. You register your devices using your Lunaticoastro account credentials, and the system handles finding a connection path automatically, without any network configuration on your part.

This feature is currently available for DragonFly controllers and the SOLO CloudWatcher Android Widget.

How the connection is established

The two supported devices work differently here, because a DragonFly connection is two-way (control commands and sensor data flow both directions), while the SOLO CloudWatcher Widget only needs to pull one-way weather data.

DragonFly: direct local, then direct external, then relay

Because DragonFly needs a two-way connection, the system tries three methods in order of preference:

1
Direct local network connection Uses local network addresses: fastest and most reliable. Works when both devices are on the same local network.
2
Direct connection via external (router) IP Connects directly over the internet using the observatory's public IP address. Fast when available, no relay overhead.
3
Relayed connection via Lunatico servers If both direct methods fail, traffic is relayed through Lunatico infrastructure, with the server sitting in the middle sending messages back and forth. Higher latency: use direct access where possible.

Relayed connections carry a processing cost and are not intended for extended periods, so expect them to be limited in time in the future. Lunatico recommends using direct access whenever possible. A local observatory computer that you can remote-desktop into remains the most reliable solution for intensive imaging sessions.

SOLO / CloudWatcher Widget: always relayed

For the SOLO CloudWatcher Android Widget, there's no tiered attempt at a direct connection: the system simply sits "in the middle" at all times, so your weather data is available from anywhere. See the Android Widget setup guide for details.

Setting up at the observatory

  1. Download and install DragonFly firmware 4.x via drag-and-drop in MainDragonfly.
  2. Install Dragonfly software 5.0 on the observatory PC.
  3. Open the Controller settings and enter your Lunaticoastro account credentials.
  4. The DragonFly registers itself with the zero-configuration service and waits for incoming connections.

Connecting from a remote location

  1. Install the same version of Dragonfly software on your remote PC.
  2. Open Dragonfly Main and go to Configuration.
  3. Enter the same account credentials used at the observatory. The system matches devices by the same key (email) and name, then click OK to start connecting.
  4. Set the network timeout to 1000 ms as a starting point (increase if connections are unstable).
  5. Set the refresh period to 500 ms or higher.

Troubleshooting: A log window shows the connection process as it happens. If something looks wrong, that's the first place to check—capture a screenshot of it before contacting support.

ZeroConf CloudWatcher SOLO connection settings screen
Connection settings—SOLO
ZeroConf CloudWatcher SOLO connection established confirmation
Connection confirmed—SOLO
ZeroConf device list showing CloudWatcher and SOLO
Device discovery list
ZeroConf CloudWatcher SOLO connection step 3
Connection step 3

A note on reliability

For unattended imaging sessions—where you need the connection to hold reliably over hours—Lunatico recommends having a PC physically at the observatory that you can reach via standard remote desktop (RDP, TeamViewer, or similar). The zero-configuration feature is most useful for occasional monitoring and minor adjustments, not as a primary connection for long unattended sessions.