Step 1 — Network Setup
Case 1 — when a customer network is available, connect both the PC and the instrument (running Essentials L2) to it. The existing network infrastructure handles IP assignment, so both devices end up on the same subnet automatically. In Essentials L2, Use DHCP for Ethernet is selected by default under System Menu > Instrument Settings > Network Setting.

Case 2 — when no customer network is available, connect both devices to a local router that has a built-in DHCP server. The switch takes over IP assignment, giving each device an address and allowing them to communicate directly with each other.  In Essentials L2, Use DHCP for Ethernet is selected by default under System Menu > Instrument Settings > Network Setting.

Case 3 — No switch or network in between
Use a direct Ethernet cable connection between the PC and the instrument, with or without an Ethernet-to-USB adapter. On the instrument, go to System Menu > Instrument Settings > Network Setting, clear Use DHCP for Ethernet, and manually enter a static IP address and subnet mask. The instrument IP address should match the PC IP address for the Ethernet adapter except for the last digit. For example, if the PC Ethernet adapter IP address is 169.254.156.11, enter 169.254.156.12 for the instrument and use the same subnet mask shown on the PC.169.254.156.12 for the instrument and use the same subnet mask shown on the PC.

Step 2 — Verify Network Connection

1. ✓
   Confirm PC and Essentials L2 are on the same networkCheck that both devices share the same IP prefix and subnet mask.

   Essentials L2
   Instrument Settings → Network Settings

   PC (Windows)
   Command Prompt → ipconfig → IPv4 Address & Subnet Mask

   ✅ e.g. both show192.168.0.x/255.255.255.0— ready to proceed

1. 1
   1. Open EasyMatch Quality Central — instrument panelAvailable instruments on the network appear automatically in the instrument panel. Use the Filter icon to filter by instrument model. Use the Collapse icon to minimize the instrument list view.
2.                 
3. 2
   2. Connect to the instrumentIf an instrument is listed with an IP address and no alert icon, it is ready to connect. Double-click it — Quality Central will send a connection request to the instrument and an Enter Access Code dialog will appear on the PC.                                                       
4.                  
5. 3
   3. Get the Access Code from Essentials L2The Access Code is only displayed on the Essentials L2 screen after Quality Central requests it— it does not appear until you initiate the connection in step 2. On the instrument, navigate to: 

   System Menu → Instrument Settings → Network Settings

   The Access Code will now be visible on this screen. Enter it into Quality Central to complete the connection.

    

   

    

6. 4
   4. Enter the Access Code in Quality CentralOnce verified, the connection is established and the instrument window opens in Quality Central, showing:

   📁Workspace / Jobs View— lists all WorkSpaces and Jobs

   📊Measurement View— displays measurements and data views

   

   Use the collapse icons to hide or show WorkSpace and measurement lists for better data visibility.

⚠️ Alert triangle icon — Essentials L2 is running a version earlier than 2026.1. Update to the latest version from support.hunterlab.com before connecting.                                                                        

🔴 No IP address + grayed sync indicator — instrument was previously connected but is currently offline. Only locally saved PC data can be reviewed.                                                                                           

🟢 IP address shown + green sync indicator — instrument is already connected and online.

🔒 License error on connect — the instrument is not licensed for Quality Central.