Set Up your Photon

Step 1: Install Particle CLI:

If you are a Windows user:

You need to download Particle Windows Installer. This installer can install everything you need automatically.

If you are a Mac/Linux user:

First, you need to download Node.js from here. Then, open your terminal, and type $ npm install -g particle-cli This command will install Particle CLI to your computer.

Step 2: Set up Your Particle Account.

If you haven't created a Particle account, click here to create a new account. After you have an account, open your terminal/command line and type $ particle login, then follow the instructions to log in to your Particle account.

Step 3: Connect your photon using the USB

Connect your particle device to your computer.

Step 4: Get the Mac Address of Your Photon

In your terminal, run $ particle serial mac to get the photon’s mac address (must be in green listening mode)

Step 5: Register Your Device to Duke Open

Register your photon at https://dukereg.duke.edu/. (You will need to login with your NetId).

Step 6: Claim and Set up Your Photon

In your terminal, run $ particle setup and then CAREFULLY follow the instructions on the screen. You may need to press the SETUP botton of your Photon at the beginning so your computer can recognize it. When selecting Wi-Fi options, be sure to use DukeOpen and choose none for suriecty settings. You should be good to go after it finishes that. You’ll know it’s connected when it is breathing blue.

Please note: If you are in a place where more than one Photon is being set up or if you’re experiencing errors with the particle setup command, please refer to steps 4-6 of the following guide to set up your device: https://gitlab.oit.duke.edu/colab/IoT-Tutorials/blob/master/PhotonSetupGuide/PhotonSetupGuide.md

Step 7: Dive Into Projects

Visit https://gitlab.oit.duke.edu/colab/IoT-Tutorials and https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/sparkfun-inventors-kit-for-photon-experiment-guide to learn more about your Photon, view IoT project ideas, and try some of your own!

Got questions? Need help on a project? Visit us at office hours, Studio Nights, ask a question in our Slack group, or come to an IoT Roots course at the Co-Lab.