Does Panel Due support a password or PIN for access?

mrehorstdmd · 23 Apr 2018, 03:31

My printer ends up at Maker Faires and similar events a few times each year and I like to restrict access to the controls to keep curious fingers from stopping the machine or doing other silly things. Does the Panel Due support any sort of restricted access control like a password or PIN number entered via the touch screen?

Thanks!

Phaedrux · 23 Apr 2018, 03:43

What about securing it behind a plexi window with a key?

mrehorstdmd · 23 Apr 2018, 03:55

That sort of thing is always an option. I was considering having it fold down and latch to protect it during transport which would have the added benefit of keeping it out of sight and away from curious fingers when the machine is on display.

dc42 · 23 Apr 2018, 07:41

Adding an optional PIN code is on the PanelDue firmware wishlist. It may make it into the next firmware version.

dc42 · 23 Apr 2018, 07:58

Thinking about this further, I can see a few options depending on how secure users want it to be:

PanelDue always starts up normally. There is a Lock button on at least one of the pages, probably the Print page. If you press it, then any attempt at entering data will be met by the PIN code popup. When data input is not locked, the PIN code can be changed on the Setup page.

If you forget your PIN, all you need is to power down/up or reset PanelDue, then you can set a new one on the Setup page.
If you use PanelDue at an exhibition or meetup, you need to remember to press the Lock button every time you power it up.

If a PIN code has been set, then PanelDue starts up in Locked mode. You will need to enter the PIN code to do data entry. If you forget your PIN code, or someone maliciously changes it while you have PanelDue unlocked, you will not be able to reset it without uploading some special firmware to PanelDue.
A compromise between the above two. PanelDue starts up unlocked (giving you a chance to change the PIN if you forgot it), but after a few seconds it goes into Locked mode if a PIN has been set.

Comments/suggestions/other possibilities?

mrehorstdmd · 23 Apr 2018, 11:14

I think option 1 would accomplish the desired access restriction without the danger of getting the machine into an unusable state.

With option 2, if you were locked out of the machine at an exhibition, it would be especially troublesome to have to flash firmware in order to regain access to the machine. Some people might want this level of security...

What if there were a PIN in one of the config files, or even its own config file? If the PIN/file is present on boot up the machine boots in locked mode and you have to enter the PIN via the panel to unlock the machine. If the PIN/config file is not present, the machine operates normally without requesting a PIN. If you forget the PIN you can either read it from the config file or delete the config file to gain access to the machine via the panel.

Once you have entered the PIN to unlock the machine it would remain unlocked until you hit the lock button again, or cycle power. Hopefully that wouldn't interfere with resuming a print after a power failure. That would enable you to set up the machine and demonstrate its operation at an exhibition without having to reenter a pin that times out.

I think that would provide the needed access control without requiring firmware flashing in the event of a forgotten PIN or a malicious actor.

T3P3Tony · 23 Apr 2018, 12:44

@dc42 I think option 4 should be the default. Most people will never set a pin. Those that do are setting it for a reason and the ability to power down the paneldue and power it back up again to reset the pin makes it too easy to bypass.

Having a normal firmware update remove the pin seems to be a good compromise.

dc42 · 23 Apr 2018, 14:39

@t3p3tony said in Does Panel Due support a password or PIN for access?:

@dc42 I think option 4 should be the default. Most people will never set a pin. Those that do are setting it for a reason and the ability to power down the paneldue and power it back up again to reset the pin makes it too easy to bypass.

Having a normal firmware update remove the pin seems to be a good compromise.

Did you mean option 3? I didn't give an option 4.

Having a normal firmware update remove the PIN when the firmware version doesn't change is not easy on PanelDue version 3, because the PIN would be stored in the user flash area, which does not get erased or rewritten by a firmware update.

Danal · 24 Apr 2018, 00:45

Non ideal, but very quick, idea until PIN firmware comes out:

Get an 8 pin connector of any sort. Plug/socket pair. Mount one half on the chassis. Wire 4-in 4-out on the chassis mounted part, 'interrupting' the cable leading to the Panel. Wire 4 jumpers inside the other part, preferably a plug shell. That part is now the "Key". When plugged in, all 4 wires have continuity. When unplugged, all 4 wires are interrupted.

Unplug and pocket the key when you are walking away, or not paying attention, or whenever you'd have invoked the PIN lock.

Plug the key back in when YOU want to use the panel. The panel reacts very will to being "hot plugged". Syncs itself, etc.

Again, not ideal... but quick and easy to implement RIGHT NOW if someone needs it.

Danal · 24 Apr 2018, 00:47

Or, put one of these:

https://www.google.com/search?q=key+switch

In the power line leading to the panel. Same idea...

jackatom74 · 24 Apr 2018, 01:19

Hey I am new here, My first printer was a kit that I upgraded to a smoothie board. My second printer I built from the ground up (1m delta) with duet wifi, panel due, and smart effector. Duet wifi is amazing in comparison to the smoothie. I just got done installing panel due, was fiddling with it during a print and accidentally hit the home button, then frantically started pushing buttons to stop it, LOL end state, I crashed the effector, but only seemed to have broke stuff i can reprint easily.

I would like to vote for any type of screen lock please. Possibly disable certain functions during a print.

Is there any literature on what other buttons in panel due are for, "Start_Network"

DC42, thank you for all you do, it amazes me how active you are, and I am in awe with all of the tech I use that you have designed. hopefully one day I get to shake your hand.

dc42 · 24 Apr 2018, 06:40

@jackatom74 said in Does Panel Due support a password or PIN for access?:

Is there any literature on what other buttons in panel due are for, "Start_Network"

If you mean the (up to) 4 buttons on the right hand side of the Control page, they are the first 4 macro files in the /macros folder of the SD card. So they can be set up to do whatever you want. See https://duet3d.dozuki.com/Wiki/Setting_up_macro_files_for_common_tasks.

Danal · 24 Apr 2018, 13:37

@jackatom74 said in Does Panel Due support a password or PIN for access?:

DC42, thank you for all you do, it amazes me how active you are, and I am in awe with all of the tech I use that you have designed. hopefully one day I get to shake your hand.

I don't think he sleeps...

Hergonoway · 2 May 2018, 08:17

Can't wait this feature, I've put a plexi on the screen while I display my printer, but it's so dumb