Sidus Link Pro - Network Requirements and Wi-Fi Setup

Overview

Sidus Link Pro talks to Sidus One and Sidus Four over Wi-Fi. The hardware can either broadcast its own network (AP mode) or join an existing network (STA mode). This article covers when to use which, and what your network needs to look like for stable, low-latency control.

If you only use Sidus Bluetooth fixtures, you do not need any of this. Pair directly over Bluetooth - see Getting Started with Sidus Bluetooth.

The Two Modes

AP Mode (Access Point)

Sidus One or Sidus Four broadcasts its own Wi-Fi network. Your iPad joins that network directly. No router involved.

Best for: On-set work, location shoots, anywhere there is no existing Wi-Fi or you want a clean isolated link.
Pros: Simple, fast and one piece of gear to connect to.
Cons: The iPad cannot use the internet at the same time. Range is limited by the transmitter's antenna.

STA Mode (Station)

Sidus One or Sidus Four joins an existing Wi-Fi network as a client. Your iPad joins the same network. Both devices talk through the router.

Best for: Studios, venues and stages with house Wi-Fi.
Pros: The iPad keeps internet, the network can extend across a large space and multiple iPads can connect to one transmitter.
Cons: Only as reliable as the host network. RF-noisy venues need a dedicated router.

Recommended Network Setup

For stable performance in STA mode, the network the transmitter joins should:

Be 5 GHz capable. 2.4 GHz works but is more crowded and slower.
Use WPA2 or WPA2/WPA3 security.
Have multicast / mDNS enabled so the iPad can discover Sidus hardware.
Have client isolation disabled on the SSID the iPad and transmitter share.
Use a dedicated router for the rig if possible. Avoid hotel / venue guest Wi-Fi for live show control.

For permanent installs, a small Wi-Fi 6 router on the same subnet as your iPad and Sidus hardware is the most stable setup we have tested. Stage and concert techs typically run a dedicated router that does nothing else.

Switching Between AP and STA

On Sidus One: Tap the Mode button to switch. The status LED changes to indicate which mode is active.
On Sidus Four: Use the front-panel display and encoder to select Network > Mode and pick AP or STA.
On the iPad: Join the corresponding Wi-Fi network in Settings > Wi-Fi.
Open Sidus Link Pro and follow Connecting Sidus One to Your iPad.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Together

Sidus Bluetooth and Sidus Wi-Fi share the iPad's radios but use different links. You can have:

iPad on Sidus One Wi-Fi (AP mode), with Sidus BT fixtures connected over Bluetooth in the same scene.
iPad on house Wi-Fi (STA mode), Sidus BT fixtures still connected.

This is how a single scene can drive a mixed DMX + CRMX + Sidus BT rig from one iPad.

Troubleshooting

iPad sees the transmitter but cannot patch: Client isolation is blocking the connection. Disable client isolation on the SSID.
App connects then drops: Check that the network is on a stable channel. 2.4 GHz is often too noisy on stage.
Cannot find Sidus Four on the network: mDNS / Bonjour is blocked. Enable multicast or use AP mode.

If you are still stuck, see Common Connection Issues.

Need Help?

See Getting Help & Support for the fastest way to reach the Aputure team.