This guide walks through the recommended, video-aligned process for setting up an Alta Labs Route10 and Control (local controller) from a brand-new, out-of-box state.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure:

• Active internet connection via Ethernet (required for firmware updates)
• Alta Labs Route10
• Alta Labs Control Appliance
• Ethernet cables
• A laptop or desktop for setup

Video Walk Through

If you're familiar with our knowledge base articles, you know that we typically do the written article first, followed by the video. However, the video provides the best context, particularly if you're a visual learner.

Step 1: Initialize the Route10 (Power-On Reset + Firmware Update)

1. Disconnect power from the Route10 if you haven't already
2. Connect WAN 1 (far-left port) on the Route10 to an active internet connection
   1. Note that plugging the WAN1 into an existing network with an internet connection will work. If you do this, we advise to have nothing plugged in to any LAN ports during this process, only WAN1 should be connected.
3. Press and hold the reset button
4. While holding reset, plug in power
5. Continue holding until the Alta logo begins “breathing”
6. Release the reset button

Wait approximately 3 minutes:

• ✅ Solid white LED = complete
• ❌ Blinking red / no change = no internet (check DHCP + cabling)

Step 2: Put the Route10 in Place as the Network's Router

1. Disconnect your existing router, if applicable
2. Connect:
   • ISP → Route10 WAN 1
     • We recommend using WAN 1 for initial setup to avoid any potential SFP transceiver issues. You may use WAN 2 if necessary, however, if you encounter issues, our technical support team will ask if you can use WAN 1 for troubleshooting purposes.
   • PC → Route10 LAN 1 (second port from left)
3. Power on the Route10
4. From your connected PC:
   • Navigate to:
     • http://192.168.1.1 (default)
     • OR http://setup.lan
   • If it doesn’t load:
     • Your ISP may already use 192.168.1.x
     • The Route10 will automatically change subnets as a feature of the more modern firmware applied during the Power-on-Reset process
     • Try http://192.168.0.1
   • If that still doesn't work:
     • The Power-on-Reset may not have worked, try Step 1 again
     • Or check to see what subnet your device is being provided and use its gateway IP to access the Route10 initial setup wizard
       • ipconfig / ifconfig
       • Or a LAN scan tool

Confirm Internet Connectivity

Before moving on:

• Ensure the Route10 is successfully connected to the internet
• If not:
  • Complete the built-in setup wizard
  • Configure WAN (DHCP, PPPoE, etc.)

Step 3: Initialize the Control (Power-On Reset)

1. Disconnect PoE to the Control appliance, if you haven't already
2. Press and hold the reset button
3. Plug in Ethernet (PoE power) while holding the reset button
4. Release once the Alta logo illuminates

Wait 4–5 minutes:

• ✅ Solid white LED = ready
• This process is akin to reinstalling an operating system. You could use this time to install switches or APs, if needed

Step 4: Access and Configure Control

Find the Control IP

• Use:
  • LAN scan tools (e.g., Nmap, Fing, Angry IP Scanner)
  • Router DHCP list

• The first 3 numerical values will align with what you discovered in Step 3, either 192.168.1.x or 192.168.0.x, it's the x that we need to find
• If your Control is the only thing plugged in to any of the LAN ports (L1 or L2 with L3 and L4 being empty), x is likely 10. So the IP is 192.168.1.10 or 192.168.0.10.

Setup Process

1. Navigate to:

   http://<control-ip>

2. Enter your administrator email
3. Wait ~1–2 minutes
4. Create your Control account
5. Verify your email
6. Log in

Optional Setup Method (Mobile App)

If you don’t know the Control IP:

• Connect to a preconfigured Alta AP
• Connect your mobile device to that AP's WiFi
• Use the Alta Networks app
• Follow prompts to:
  • Set admin email
  • Create password
  • Access controller

Step 5: Add Route10 to Control

1. Log into Control
2. Go to Network tab

If Route10 appears:

• Click Setup

If it does NOT appear:

1. Open Route10 in a browser
2. Copy the controller URL (remove /site and beyond, the URL should end in ".com")
3. Paste into Route10
4. Click Connect to Controller

Once connected:

• Return to Control
• Click Setup

Step 6: Update Control Firmware

1. Go to:
   • Settings → System
2. Click:
   • Check → Update
3. Wait for completion
   • ✅ LED returns to solid white
   • Refresh page and log back in

Step 7 (Optional): Change Default Subnet

Default subnet: 192.168.1.x

To change:

1. Ensure Route10 is streaming stats to Control
2. Go to:
   • Settings → Networks
3. Modify subnet
4. Wait ~30 seconds

Then:

• Power cycle:
  • Route10 TODO (I don't think this is necessary)
  • Control
  • Any connected devices

Final Verification

Common Pitfalls

• Skipping the Route10 POR firmware step
• Trying to use SFP+ WAN for initial setup
• Proceeding without internet connectivity
• Not power cycling after subnet changes
• Expecting auto-adoption without manual controller linking