DJI Dock Provisioning and Set Up

Note: This setup guide is for supported docks. For a full list of supported docks, view our Supported Dock Hardware page. 

Dock setup happens in 4 steps:

1. Gather your Serial Numbers and share with DroneDeploy
2. Set up your Dock DroneDeploy Project if not using an existing project
3. DroneDeploy securely connects your dock to our cloud and to your project
4. Connect your Dock to DroneDeploy on-site using the RC

Let’s break it down. 

NOTE: Prior to DroneDeploy setup, ensure that your Dock has been physically configured and set up correctly. Reference the dock manual for your specific dock and ensure you’re following manufacturer's guidelines. 

1. Ensure you have a permanent location established for your dock. Secure your dock if necessary.
2. Ensure you meet the minimum requirements for power and are receiving power to the dock during setup. 
3. Ensure you meet the minimum requirements for internet bandwidth. We recommend 15-25mb/s minimum upload speeds (not download) for optimal performance. 
4. Ensure you have surveyed your Dock in via Pilot 2 (DJI Docks). You can sign up for a free 14-day trial with PointOne to receive NTRIP credentials to enter on your RC during setup
   
   

1. Serial Numbers:

a. The Serial numbers for your dock and drone are required to properly connect your dock to the DroneDeploy cloud. 

b. Get the serial numbers for the dock and the drone (Note: they are case sensitive). They should look similar to the images below: 

1. 1. 1. Control Module Serial Number (NOT the Plate Serial Number on the dock itself). Image below
         
         
         
         
         
      2. Aircraft Serial Number (on the drone itself). Image below
         
      3. Provide these numbers to your Solutions Engineer or DroneDeploy representative. If you do not know who this is please contact support@dronedeploy.com 

2. Set up your Dock DroneDeploy Project
   

   a. If you haven’t created a DroneDeploy project already, create a project for which you would like to connect your dock. 
   
   b. Provide your DroneDeploy representative with the pilots who you wish to have access to launch Docked flights. These pilots would need Flight access within DroneDeploy, and they would have additional permissions to launch docked drone missions on this, and any other projects they’re added to in the future.
   
   c. Provide your DroneDeploy representative with your preferred Dock name. It could be something as simple as “DJI Dock 1” or “DJI Dock 2”, or a custom name (no special characters). 
   d. Note, at this time, you can only connect your dock to one DroneDeploy project. You can have multiple docks on a single DroneDeploy project. If you plan to move the dock to a new DroneDeploy project, please notify your DroneDeploy representative so we can adjust the dock configuration on the back end. 
   
   

3. DroneDeploy connects your dock to our cloud and to your project.
   

   a. Once we have your serial numbers. We will set up a profile for your dock within the DroneDeploy cloud. This currently happens on the backend and will need to be completed by a DroneDeploy representative. This step allows us to ensure we’re using the same control profiles for your dock as we do with other drones in DroneDeploy. This is also the step where we name your dock with the DroneDeploy cloud. 
   
   b. We will notify you once this step has been completed via email and provide you with MQTT credentials similar to the below: 
   1. MQTT gateway address: ssl://dji-dock-us.dronedeploy.com:8883
   2. MQTT account: <insert here>
   3. MQTT password: <insert here>
   4. Org ID: dronedeploy (Needs to be lower case)
      
      

4. Connect your Dock to DroneDeploy onsite

1. Power on the Dock:
   a. Open the DJI Dock’s electrical cabinet with the triangle / Allen key.
   b. Connect the power cable to a power source.
   c. Engage all power switches from left to right (high position).
   d. Check that the AC power red LED is on
   e. Make sure the dock is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable 

2. Connect the dock and drone to DJI Assistant 2. Make sure the dock and drone are on the latest supported firmware version.
   
   
3. Connect the DJI RC Pro/RC Plus to the debug USB port on the dock using USB cable. It should open DJI Pilot 2 automatically. Click the name below the image of the dock. 

4. Start the DJI Dock configuration process (see the Dock access to Cloud Server video and the DJI Dock User Manual). Skip if you have already done it. Make sure you have accurately set up the dock's position with RTK credentials or surveyed it manually.   
   
   
5. When asked to connect to a cloud service provider, choose Third-Party Cloud Service from the dropdown (not Flight Hub 2). 
   
   
6. Enter the MQTT gateway address as ssl://dji-dock-us.dronedeploy.com:8883. You need to add “ssl://” at the start and the port “:8883” after the given domain. Org ID should be “dronedeploy” and leave the Binding code blank.  

7. Enter the MQTT credentials username and password, and press OK. You should get a modal saying “Binding dock to DroneDeploy. Continue?" if successful. If you don’,t then please double-check the credentials and try again.
   
   
8. Please notify your Solutions Engineer or DroneDeploy representative, so we can confirm the drone is connected on our end.

SUCCESS:

You will know your dock has been configured correctly and connected when you see a green connect icon in the Flight Tab of your project. 

Note: only pilots you have allowed to fly the dock will see this dock selector dropdown on any standard DroneDeploy flight plan: