I'm helping with an embedded device with a web server. The device will be a commercial/consumer item, and that has me concerned, so I would appreciate comments from those of you that have done this.
As you know, the ip address has to be set first (along with subnet & gateway). Most consumers expect to plug a cat. 5 cable into a computer or hub and immediately point the browser to the device and use it. Well, tcp/ip doesn't work like that, even if dhcp is used. So the trend I'm seeing is for a setup program to find the device and allow device configuration through it. Kind of defeats the purpose of the web server, and requires a program for Win, Mac, Linux, etc. Is there an easier way?
I don't want to see the product offered with dip switches (disaster) or a serial port (too much bother).
One other issue I'm concerned about is getting back to the default factory settings. Most devices offer the ability to go back to the defaults, but what happens if that page is p/w protected and the customer forgets the p/w (seen this problem with bios settings)? I don't want to see the customer open the box, but it may not want to provide an easy to use reset button due to security concerns. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Dave