Edbot Chromebook Helper

About

If you're running the Edbot Software on Chromebook, you'll need this helper app to get things working. You'll need it if you're running standalone or on the network.

You can download the Edbot Software from the Google Play store - it's an Android app designed specifically for Chromebooks:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.robotsinschools.edbot

So why do you need to run this helper? Read on for the technical lowdown...

Your Chromebook runs Chrome OS, a Linux derivative. Android apps run in a container within Chrome OS called ARC (Android Runtime for Chrome). This container isolates your Android apps to provide a secure environment. Chrome OS provides a network bridge from ARC to Chrome OS which forwards outbound network traffic to your LAN. However the bridge doesn't forward inbound traffic to your Android app...

This is where the Edbot Chromebook Helper comes in. It listens for network packets destined for the Edbot Software server port (default 8080) and forwards them on to ARC.

Note the helper is a Chromes OS app because it needs access to both sides of the network bridge: Android apps can only access one side. This restricted access creates another problem: Android apps cannot access the LAN IP address of the Chromebook. Enter Santa's Little Helper! On startup, the Edbot Software attempts to communicate with the helper to obtain the LAN IP address and will let you know if the helper is installed and running, so you're all set to go.

Happy coding!