ProtoPie Connect for Desktop vs. Embedded Systems
There are two different types of ProtoPie Connect.
- ProtoPie Connect for Desktop
- ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems
See how the two types of ProtoPie Connect differ from each other.
| Features | ProtoPie Connect for Desktop | ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Run environment | Desktop app | Terminal |
| Operating system | macOS & Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux ARMv7, and Linux ARM64 |
| User authentication | Login via ProtoPie Enterprise with an editor role | License file per machine |
| Offline | No, login requires a connection with ProtoPie Enterprise | Yes |
| Latest prototypes | Yes, ProtoPie Connect always uses the last saved prototypes | No, manually add the last saved prototypes |
| Switch network IPs | Switch IP networks in the desktop app | Add flags to the launch script to launch the ProtoPie Connect server with a particular IP network |
ProtoPie Connect for Desktop
ProtoPie Connect for Desktop is for designers, makers, and engineers to test their prototypes on connected devices and displays using macOS and Windows.
It offers great flexibility in running ProtoPie Connect without thinking about how to set up a separate environment on desktop.
![[object Object]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vidqzkll/production/9b8aeb2056bead44d4edd1b6fd5ee7049d648ccc-2184x1374.png/connect-for-desktop.png?fm=webp)
- Supported Platforms:
- macOS 10.11 El Capitan or above.
- Windows 10 64-bit or above.
- Storage: 500MB or more.
- RAM: 1GB or more.
Logging In to ProtoPie Connect for Desktop
- Enter your ProtoPie Enterprise server URL.
- Click on Connect. You will be redirected to a login page.
- Log in with your known ProtoPie Enterprise account. This only works when you have the editor role.
![[object Object]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vidqzkll/production/d5421986cead3843911a7f2953d088e8096ce2e1-2980x1904.png/loggin-in-to-connect-desktop.png?fm=webp)
You can make use of proxy settings. Click on Proxy Settings to use the system or manual proxy configuration.
![[object Object]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vidqzkll/production/d50592710707cd33feeed3db73972bb1b6ff21bc-2880x1750.png/connect-proxy-settings.png?fm=webp)
ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems
As its name says, ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems is designed to run in embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi. It is a standalone server application running from a terminal.
ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems is for technical designers, makers, and engineers, and IT admins that need ProtoPie Connect its capabilities to work on embedded systems, such as Raspberry Pi.
ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems uses license file-based authentication. As it works in isolated environments, it is very useful for user research and testing purposes.
![[object Object]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vidqzkll/production/61d46d8374bd306cdc2e856db187fe5489b5f597-1980x1244.png/connect-embedded.png?fm=webp)
- Supported Platforms:
- macOS10.11 El Capitan or above.
- Windows 10 64-bit or above.
- Ubuntu 12.04 or above.
- Fedora 221.
- Debian 8.
- Storage: 500MB or more.
- RAM: 1 GB or more.
Installing ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems
1. Uncompress the installation file for each respective operating system.
- Linux/Raspberry Pi: tar file.
- Windows: zip file.
- macOS: dmg file.
2. Move the respective files to the directory of your choice.
- If you want to update ProtoPie Connect Embedded, simply overwrite the existing files with the new ones.
Logging In to ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems
Authentication in ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems happens via a license file.
- One license per machine running ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems.
- No internet connection is required.
![[object Object]](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vidqzkll/production/1a3dcad9f27e316cece2b9927fae9d85d9636961-1980x1244.png/loggin-into-connect-embedded.png?fm=webp)
- Download and run ProtoPie Connect in the terminal. The terminal will print a Device ID.
- Request a license to ProtoPie using that Device ID. ProtoPie will provide license.txt
- Move the license file to the same directory where ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems has been installed.
- Run ProtoPie Connect for Embedded Systems again, and check whether you see the following log message: Licensed to YOUR NAME until YOUR EXPIRED DATE.