How to Whitelist a Friendship Lamp on a Shared Network

Some shared or managed networks block smart devices unless a network administrator manually approves them.

This is common in:

• Dorms and college campuses
• Hospitals
• Assisted-living communities
• Apartment buildings
• Workplaces
• Hotels
• Other shared Wi-Fi environments

The network administrator may refer to this process as whitelisting, registering a device, or adding a device by MAC address.

Before requesting whitelisting

Confirm that the network:

• Supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
• Allows smart or IoT devices
• Can register devices that do not have a web browser
• Allows the device to reach the internet after registration
• Does not require the lamp to accept terms on a browser sign-in page

Whitelisting does not guarantee compatibility if the network blocks the online services the lamp needs.

Find the Lamp ID

The Lamp ID is a 12-character number printed on the label on the bottom of the lamp.

It may contain numbers and letters.

Take a clear photo of the label before contacting the network administrator.

Some network administrators may use the Lamp ID as the device’s MAC address or may ask support to confirm the correct network information.

SAMPLE FRIENDSHIP LAMP ID/MAC ADDRESS:

Ask the network administrator to register the lamp

Provide the administrator with:

• The 12-character Lamp ID
• A description of the device as a Wi-Fi-connected smart lamp or IoT device
• A note that it requires 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
• A request for internet access without a browser sign-in page

You can use this message:

I need to connect a Wi-Fi smart lamp that does not have a web browser. It requires a 2.4 GHz connection and cannot complete a captive-portal sign-in page. Could you register or whitelist the device using its Lamp ID or MAC address and allow it to access the internet?

The administrator may need to tell you which network name to use after the device is approved.

Connect the lamp after it has been approved

Once the network administrator confirms that the lamp has been registered:

1. Open the Friendship Lamps App.
2. Begin WiFi Setup.
3. Connect the lamp to the approved 2.4 GHz network.
4. Enter the network password if one is required.
5. Allow the lamp a few minutes to finish connecting.

If app setup does not work on the managed network, try the Advanced Setup Guide using a web browser.

Networks with browser sign-in pages

Some shared networks require users to:

• Enter a room number
• Enter a student or employee login
• Accept terms and conditions
• Complete a browser sign-in page

The lamp cannot open or complete those pages by itself.

The network administrator must register the lamp in another way, usually by its device information.

Using a personal hotspot instead

A personal hotspot may work when the shared network cannot support the lamp.

The hotspot must:

• Have an active mobile-data plan
• Broadcast a 2.4 GHz connection
• Allow connected devices to access the internet
• Stay powered on whenever the lamp is being used

Dedicated hotspot devices sometimes need to be activated before they provide internet access, even when the Wi-Fi network name is visible.

Using a Filimin Bridge

A Filimin Bridge may be another option when there is access to:

• An active Ethernet port
• A nearby power outlet
• Permission to connect personal networking equipment

The bridge connects to the network through Ethernet and creates a connection for the lamp.

Some facilities do not allow personal bridges or routers, so ask the network administrator before using one.

See the Bridge Setup Guide for more information.

If the lamp still will not connect

Ask the network administrator whether the network blocks:

• Smart or IoT devices
• Device-to-internet communication
• Unknown devices
• Long-running connections
• Devices without browser authentication

You can also test the lamp on a personal hotspot. If it connects successfully to the hotspot, the shared network is likely still restricting it.

Contact support

Contact our support team if you need help identifying the lamp’s device information or confirming what to provide to the network administrator.

Please include:

• Your Lamp ID or a photo of the label on the bottom of the lamp
• The type of facility or shared network
• Any instructions or error messages provided by the network administrator
• The color or light pattern the lamp is showing