Admin mode
When the Admin-Run-Flash switch is in the "Admin" position, a whole different set of code is run at boot instead of downloading an image from a web server. In Admin Mode, the ESP8266 starts a WiFi hotspot at boot with the device's MAC address in the SSID. Attach to this access point with a phone or other device using the password set in the firmware, and you will get access to the web page below. The default password for the Admin Mode in the firmware is "password123". To visit the admin web page, browse to https://192.168.1.4 while connected to the device's hotspot. The e-ink screen will display a message stating that it is in "Admin Mode" and that the batteries are draining quickly.
The settings in Admin mode are stored on the EEPROM of the esp8266. They will persist through a reboot. They will persist after taking the batteries out and turning the device on. Admin mode settings will even persist after FLASHING THE FIRMWARE. Yes. That is correct. You can flash the firmware of the project, and the Admin settings will remain in the EEPROM. To clear the EEPROM, you must run a special sketch to clear the settings.
The admin mode website allows configuration changes to many device settings as pictured and explained below:
These fields are for the or name (SSID) and password of an access point to attach to in order to contact the wall-ink-server.
These fields are for a second WIFI access point to attach to. The wall-ink display will attach to whichever device has the strongest signal, not in any particular order.
This is the complete URL of where the wall-ink device will get an image to display from the wall-ink-server. It will probably be a php script.
The image key is used to prevent a man in the middle attack on the images presented to the screen. The device has the image key, and the server also has the image key. If someone spoofs the server's IP address and hands the device an image to display, the device will not accept it without the image key. The image key on the server and the client must be the same!
Enable and disable debug mode.
Debug mode turns on the serial port at 115200 baud for debugging purposes. Errors and other information are reported to the serial port. The serial port on a development board prototype is accessed via the USB port, on a 7.5" wall-ink device, you will need to attach a USB to serial adapter. Notice that the screen will display a banner over the image to remind the user that debug mode is active.
Example serial output on a wall-ink device in debug mode:
