Wi-Fi support on Neat devices

Last updated August 1st, 2023

All Neat devices support Wi-Fi, and are compatible with both 2.4 and 5 GHz networks. Users can choose the Wi-Fi option during the setup process.

Neat devices support the following security features:
● WEP
● WPA PSK
● PWA2 PSK
● 802.1X EAP

Note: If a Neat device has wired Ethernet connection to it, it will always use Ethernet. In order to force a Neat device to use Wi-Fi, there should be no wired/Ethernet connection cable physically connected.

NEAT BAR/BAR PRO AND NEAT PAD 

Wi-Fi for Neat Pad

To connect the Neat Pad over Wi-Fi, please use the PoE injector and an Ethernet cable to provide power to the Pad. You can then select the ‘Connect using Wi-Fi’ option and enter Wi-Fi details to connect to the preferred network.

The purpose of the Ethernet cable here is to only provide power from the PoE injector to the Pad; as long as the network socket of the PoE injector is not connected to the wired network, there will be no LAN connection. This is why the Pad status always reports: ‘Connected to Ethernet’ even if there is no wired LAN connection available.

Wi-Fi for Neat Bar/Bar Pro

For the Neat Bar/Bar Pro, the Wi-Fi setup is done through the Neat Pad during the initial setup and pairing process. The Bar/Bar Pro and Pad use a technology called “Wi-Fi direct” to establish connectivity before the Bar/Bar Pro joins the Wi-Fi network. Once the Pad chooses the Bar/Bar Pro to pair with, it transfers the Wi-Fi details (SSID, password, etc) over the Wi-Fi direct connection. The Neat Bar/Bar Pro then connects to the same Wi-Fi network as Neat Pad (as long as no Ethernet cable is connected) and releases the Wi-Fi direction connection to the Pad.

For a step-by-step guide on how to connect a Neat Bar/Bar Pro and Neat Pad to a Wi-Fi network, please see the article How to connect Neat Bar and Neat Pad over Wi-Fi.

NEAT BOARD

Wi-Fi for Neat Board

To connect Neat Board to Wi-Fi, leave the Ethernet cable unplugged so it is not connected to any wired network. You can use the ‘Connect using Wi-Fi’ option during the setup process to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Unlike the Neat Bar/Bar Pro, the Neat Board does not require a Neat Pad to go through its installation process; all the installation steps are done directly on the Neat Board. Neat Pad can be used as a ‘Zoom controller’ or ‘Microsoft Teams console’ for the Neat Board. This means, if you want to add a Neat Pad to use with Neat Board, choose the ‘Add a controller’ option instead. 

Update: Following our Version 20221128 release, Neat level pairing is now available between a Neat Pad and a Neat Board. If the Board is in the Pairing menu (System settings -> Pairing) during the Pad’s out-of-box setup, you will be presented the option to find and pair with the Board. Neat level pairing gives users the ability to control and manage their Board from the Neat Pad in the same way they do for the Neat Bar and Neat Bar Pro.

For more information, visit one of our Understanding Pairing articles for your chosen videoconferencing app: Microsoft Teams or Zoom.

NEAT FRAME

Wi-Fi for Neat Frame

To connect the Frame to Wi-Fi, use the ‘Connect using Wi-Fi’ option during the setup process to connect to a Wi-Fi network. The Frame was originally designed to function over a wireless connection, to connect to a wired network you will need a USB-C to Ethernet Adapter.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

Wi-Fi networks can be more susceptible to varying signal strengths and disruptions and therefore impact real-time audio/video data. For high quality, reliable video conferencing experience, we strongly recommend using wired networks over wireless networks, wherever possible.