Service Information
Diagnostic Device Hardware & Windows®

Number: AHW-17-16

Subject: VAS 6154 Diagnostic Interface – WLAN Performance
Optimizations

Date: Dec. 7, 2017

Supersedes VHW-16-15 due to additional optimizations.

1.0 - Introduction
The performance of a VAS 6154 on the dealership’s wireless network (WLAN) depends on many
variables. These include different WLAN types, speeds, security features etc., and operation in a wide
range of dealership environments, e.g.: building materials, workshop layout and electrical construction.
If a VAS 6154 fails to connect intermittently, is slow to connect or consistently loses connections, various
optimizations can be applied to improve its performance on the WLAN. Carefully review all section
topics that follow, then check & determine applicability.
ATTENTION:
•

The following optimizations are best performed by personnel with specific working
knowledge of the dealership WLAN, and are familiar with VAS 6154 components, its
initial setup and use.

•

Personnel who do not have specific working knowledge of the dealership WLAN or do
not understand the following information should ask a qualified person for assistance.
This information may be revised at any time. Always check ServiceNet for the latest
version.

•

2.0 – Optimizations
Prerequisites:
 Dealership wireless network type is known: DHCP or Static IP – dual-band or single band.
 Diagnostic device plugged in to power adapter and booted to Windows desktop
 Initial VAS 6154 set up performed per the Initial Setup Guide document (posted on ServiceNet)
 WLAN Module plugged-in to VAS 6154 diagnostic interface
 VAS 6154 docking station and USB-Y cable on hand

2.1 – Windows WLAN Power Management
Windows may automatically turn off WLAN functions when no network traffic is recorded by the diagnostic
device after 20 minutes. This feature can be disabled as follows:
(cont.)
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property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
1. From the Windows desktop, go to: Start > Control Panel > Device Manager
2. Expand the Network adapters category, and then double-click the applicable wireless adapter:

Note:
The wireless network adapter illustrated
here is an example only! Adapter brand
names and types vary between devices.

3. Select the Power Management tab:
4. Uncheck the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power function, select OK, and
then Close all open windows:

Page 2 of 9
© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.2 – VAS 6154 Power Management
VAS 6154 power management functions can be disabled from its Web Interface as follows:
1. Connect single end of USB-Y cable to base station and double end to available USB ports on
diagnostic device, and then plug in the VAS 6154 with connected WLAN module into the base station:

.......
2. From the Windows desktop, open Internet Explorer and manually enter the following IP address in
the browser’s address bar:

http://192.168.1.69

(optional: http://vas6154-dock):

3. Select the Power Management main category:

4. Deactivate the Power-saving mode and Automatic shutdown functions as illustrated (select No),
and then select Accept:

Page 3 of 9
© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.3 – Change Communication Frequency
The frequency band at which the VAS 6154 communicates can be optimized for the dealership wireless
network and its operating environment, e.g.: physical barriers like walls and ceilings, above or below grade
and potential for electrical interference. Be aware of the following pros-and-cons and decide accordingly:
•

A dedicated 2.4GHz connection has better range and barrier capabilities than a 5.0GHz
connection, but tends to be slower, less stable and more prone to microwave and other
electrical interference.

•

A dedicated 5.0GHz connection tends to be faster, more stable and less prone to electrical
interference compared to a 2.4GHz connection, but has poorer range and, in some cases,
worsened barrier capabilities.

If a VAS 6154 exhibits frequent connectivity issues at the default 2.4GHz setting, i.e.: does not connect
sometimes or disconnects, and the technician users proximity to the wireless access point is
relatively close, we suggest switching to the 5.0GHz frequency band, OR select to automatically toggle
between the two (dual-band network only).
Prerequisite:
 VAS 6154 connected to base station with active web Interface session (Ref. Section 2.2).
1. Select the Connectivity main category and WLAN Infrastructure subcategory:
2. Scroll down and select the 5GHz frequency band, OR toggle 2.4GHz / 5GHz (if supported), and then
select Accept:

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© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.4 – Assign Static IP Address to VAS 6154
When starting GFF in WLAN Infrastructure mode, quicker network connections to the VAS 6154 may be
obtained when it is assigned and operates exclusively with a static IP address, and a “network host
name” is added to the interface software.
A static IP and its related addresses must be assigned by the dealership Systems Administrator or
IT Professional responsible for the dealership network.
ATTENTION:
The assignment of a static IP address, subnet mask and gateway information MUST be
coordinated with, and recorded by personnel qualified to do so as mentioned above. These
addresses cannot be randomly created and applied.
When all required addresses are known, proceed as follows:
Prerequisite:
 VAS 6154 connected to base station with active web Interface session (Ref. Section 2.2).
1. Select the Connectivity main category and WLAN Infrastructure subcategory:
2. In the IP settings category: Deactivate DHCP (select No), and then enter the assigned
static IP address, Network mask and Gateway information:
Then select Accept:

3. Close the web interface session and proceed to Section 2.5.
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© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.5 – Add Static IP Address & Host Name to Interface Software
Prerequisite:
 Static IP address etc. must be assigned to VAS 6154 (Ref. Section 2.4)
1. Record the serial number from the VAS 6154 module on a piece of paper, and then add the prefix
VAS6154- in front of the recorded serial number. Example: VAS6154-5100885
Note:
A dash ( - ) must separate the prefix from the serial number! An underscore ( _ ) should NEVER be
used.
The number created above will be entered as a network hostname in the following procedure.
2. From the Windows desktop, go to: Windows Start > All Programs > XS_D_PDU_API_OS
3. Select: VAS6154-Static-Devices.ini

An editable VAS6154 Device Management .ini “Notepad” document is displayed:

(cont.)

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© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
4. In the - - - - - - begin of VAS6154-Static-Devices.ini - - - - - - section, below the example text, type
in the network hostname created in Step 1 - Page 6 in brackets as illustrated below:

Type in the VAS 6154 hostname

Notes:
• The hostname must be typed-in in brackets [ . . . . ]
• A semicolon ( ; ) must NOT precede the typed-in hostname.
• The hostname illustrated above is an example only! All VAS 6154 serial numbers are different!
•

Warning: An underscore ( _ ) should NEVER be used.

5. In the - - - - - - begin of VAS6154-Static-Devices.ini - - - - - - section, below the example text,
confirm that the network hostname created above appears in brackets.
6. Type in IpAddress= followed by the dealership-specific network static IP address below the
hostname as illustrated below:

Type in the static IP address: The equal sign ( = )
must appear before the address.

7. Save and close the .ini Notepad document.
Notes:
• A semicolon ( ; ) must NOT precede the typed-in static IP address.
• The static IP address illustrated above is an example only! All dealership-specific static IP details
are different!
When configured as described above, the interface software will automatically locate and connect
to the VAS 6154 whose hostname (serial number) was entered in the .ini. This essentially “pairs”
the VAS 6154 with the diagnostic device, and the two should be used together at all times.
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© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
2.6 – Enable Roaming
Roaming is helpful if you have multiple Wireless Access Points located through-out your dealership which
have the same SSID. It allows the VAS6154 to automatically switch to another WLAN access point if the
connection quality is poor.
Note: You should verify with your IT specialist if your network is configured in this manner.
Prerequisite:
 VAS 6154 connected to base station with active web Interface session (Ref. Section 2.2 above).
1. Select the Administration main category then the Roaming subcategory.
2. Place a  in the Activate Roaming Box.
3. Leave 15 as the default Roaming threshold (SNR).
4. For the List of channels (comma-separated). Leave this entry blank unless you consult with your IT
specialist.
Note: Within a large infrastructure it can be advantageous to narrow down the WLAN channels. Please
check with your IT specialist for which channels are appropriate for your dealership.
5. Click Accept.

2.7 – Prevent Communication disconnects during diagnostic sessions
Two suggestions exist if communication is being broken during a diagnostic session.

(cont.)
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© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.

Service Information
Suggestion 1: The workshop's WLAN coverage needs to be improved/upgraded.
We recommend checking and, if necessary, upgrading the WLAN network so that its signal strength is
practically identical in all areas. The reason for this is that ODIS breaks off communication with the VCI
if the connection signal strength is yellow. A green connection must be guaranteed at all times in order
to be able to work with the VCI without any problems.

Suggestion 2: Leave vehicle doors open during the diagnostic session.
It is possible that the vehicle doors may interfere with the WLAN connection between the VAS6154 and
tester. Specifically if you’ve already noticed less than 4 bars of signal strength to the VAS6154. If possible,
we recommend leaving the vehicle doors open during vehicle diagnostics.

Page 9 of 9
© 2017 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual
property rights of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this
document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these
materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.