Arduino WiFi Mac 0:0:0:0:0:0

Using Arduino Networking, Protocols, and Devices
#1

Hi,

I'm new to the arduino world. I am trying to build a board game (like a wireless arduino chess game - Wireless Arduino Powered Chess - YouTube). To do this, I need my arduino to communicate with a webserver. I am using an Arduino Uno R3 (Atmega328 - assembled), and I borrowed an Arduino WiFi Shield from my friend. I am also on OS X Mountain Lion.

When I run the code from the Arduino Startup guide page to scan the network (http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/ArduinoWiFiShield), I get this in my log

Initializing Wifi...
MAC: 0:0:0:0:0:0
Scanning available networks...
** Scan Networks **
number of available networks:0

My understanding is the WiFi shield already has a MAC address. Why is it printing 0:0:0:0:0:0? I connected a LED pin to the WiFi shield and the shield was able to turn that on, so I know there is communication happening between the arduino Uno and the WiFi Shield. Can anyone give a suggestion on why the communication is not working properly? Also, I want to demo my project at school, but the school's WiFi network is WPA2 Enterprise. I believe that the Arduino WiFi Shield will not be able to connect to it. Should I switch to bluetooth and have my arduino Uno communicate to my laptop through bluetooth and then communicate to a local server instead? I'd like my board game to be able to stand alone.

#2

My understanding is the WiFi shield already has a MAC address. Why is it printing 0:0:0:0:0:0?

The address that is being printed there seems to depend on actually connecting to a network.

I connected a LED pin to the WiFi shield and the shield was able to turn that on, so I know there is communication happening between the arduino Uno and the WiFi Shield.

Actually, that didn't tell you anything.

Can anyone give a suggestion on why the communication is not working properly?

Perhaps there are no routers broadcasting anything for you to pick up when scanning. Depending on your router configuration, you may not be broadcasting an SSID. I don't let my router do that.

Should I switch to bluetooth and have my arduino Uno communicate to my laptop through bluetooth and then communicate to a local server instead? I'd like my board game to be able to stand alone.

I guess that depends on your definition of standalone. Without a router, the board game won't do anything. So, that's hardly standalone.

If you mean "without another computer involved", that's still not useful, as there is some reason to be using WiFi. Presumably that is to talk to another computer.

#3