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User_Manual_RP3001k.doc
8. Network Operation
Overview
In addition to loading images from CD-ROMs and memory cards, you can transfer files between a computer
your DF-1710 using an ethernet connection, either wired or wireless. Files transferred can be media files such
as images, movies, sounds, etc., or special files which allow the DF-1710’s operation to be controlled remotely.
If your computer is running Windows 95® or later, or Macintosh OSX or later, you can use SMB networking to
simply mount its internal hard drive on your desktop like any other disk, and drag and drop files to and from it.
If your operating system does not support SMB networking, or you are transferring files over the internet, files
can be transferred to and from the DF-1710 using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). To perform FTP transfers, the
DF-1710 continuously runs an FTP “Server” program, which communicates with FTP “Client” programs running
on other computers via a network connection. Graphical FTP client programs are built into Internet Explorer
and Netscape web browsers, and these can be used to transfer files to and from the DF-1710. Dedicated FTP
client programs such as CuteFTP for Windows from GlobalSCAPE Inc. and Transmit and NetFinder for
Macintosh can also be used, and provide some features that browsers do not. Demo copies of Transmit and
CuteFTP are included on your DF-1710’s hard drive and can be downloaded from there to your PC using a
browser. If you continue to use these programs please register them with the vendors to support their
development efforts.
Web browsers have advantages of ubiquity, a graphical interface and the ability to view media and scripts
instantly from within the browser by simply clicking on them. Dedicated FTP clients have the advantage of the
ability to easily delete and rename files and folders on the remote server (the DF-1710). Netscape cannot
rename or delete files on an FTP server, Internet Explorer needs to have “folder view” enabled in its FTP
preferences in order to do this.
Transferring files with either a web browser or an FTP client program is usually a matter of simply dragging file
icons from your computer desktop into the browser or FTP client window. Transfer will start automatically.
Consult your FTP client program’s documentation for further information.
The DF-1710 provides password protection for security. A user name and password must be supplied by the
browser or FTP client program in order to gain access to the DF-1710. You will use the username “df” and the
password “digiframe” to initially log into the DF-1710’s FTP server. See the “Password Security” section of this
manual for details of how to change the default password.
In order for messages to be sent and received correctly, each device on a TCP/IP network has a unique
identifying address, known as its IP address. To transfer content and/or scriptfiles to your DF-1710 (at least
initially), you’ll need to know its IP address. In a large network situation, or a network with a DSL or cable
modem connecting to the internet, IP addresses are usually assigned automatically to individual devices by a
special program called a DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol) server. A DHCP server is often included in
network connection-sharing devices such as routers and DSL or cable modems (but not in most hubs). On
some networks the DHCP server is a component of software running on a file server computer.
When the DF-1710 starts up, it first looks for a DHCP server and if one is found, gets its IP address from it
(unless DHCP Override has been selected in the Network Settings menu). If you’re connecting your DF-1710
directly to a computer, or to a simple LAN without a router, there won’t be a DHCP server, so the DF-1710 will
use its default IP address. In either case, the frame’s IP addresses (one for its wired and one for its wireless
connection) can be viewed by selecting System and Network Information from the Main Menu. Once you know
your frame’s IP address you can type it into your browser or FTP client program’s address field and transfer
files as explained in later sections.
