First Connection

This guide walks you through connecting ARIS to your INDI backend and real imaging equipment for the first time.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure:

• Your INDI server is running on a Raspberry Pi or Linux machine.
• Your imaging equipment (mount, camera, etc.) is connected via USB to that machine.
• Your phone/tablet and the backend machine are on the same local network.
• The ARIS backend service is running and accessible.

Connecting to Your Backend

1. Open ARIS and go to the Connection screen.

2. Auto-discovery: ARIS uses mDNS to automatically find backends on your local network. If your backend is detected, it will appear in the list. Tap it to connect.

3. Manual entry: If auto-discovery does not find your backend, tap Manual Connection and enter the IP address and port (for example, 192.168.1.100:8624).

4. If your backend requires an API key, enter it when prompted. The API key is configured on your backend during setup.

5. Once connected, ARIS will display the list of INDI devices available on the server.

Setting Up an Equipment Profile

An equipment profile tells ARIS which devices to use and how they are configured.

1. After connecting, go to Settings and open Equipment Profiles.

2. Tap Create New Profile and give it a descriptive name (for example, “Backyard Rig” or “Remote Observatory”).

3. For each device type (mount, camera, focuser, etc.), select the corresponding INDI driver from the dropdown. ARIS shows all drivers available on the connected server.

4. Save the profile. You can create multiple profiles for different equipment configurations.

5. Apply the profile from the Connection screen to load all your devices.

Tip

Equipment profiles sync across devices via your ARIS account, so a profile you create on your phone will be available on your tablet or web browser.

Verifying the Connection

Once your profile is applied, confirm that each device is connected and responding:

• Mount: The Home screen should show your mount’s current coordinates (RA/Dec) and tracking status.
• Camera: Go to the Imaging screen. The camera status should show temperature and readiness.
• Focuser: The Focus screen should display the current focuser position.
• Guider: The Guiding screen should show the guide camera status.

If any device shows as disconnected, check the USB connection on your backend and verify the correct INDI driver is selected in your profile.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

Problem	Solution
Backend not found via auto-discovery	Use manual IP entry. Ensure both devices are on the same network and subnet.
Connection refused	Verify the backend service is running. Check the port number.
API key rejected	Regenerate the key on your backend and re-enter it in ARIS.
Devices not appearing	Restart the INDI server on your backend. Check USB connections.
Intermittent disconnects	Check Wi-Fi signal strength. Consider using 5 GHz Wi-Fi or a wired connection to your backend.

Caution

ARIS communicates with your equipment over your local network. For reliable imaging sessions, a stable network connection is essential. Avoid congested 2.4 GHz networks when possible.

What’s Next

With your equipment connected, you are ready to capture your first image.