WisGate OS User Manual
Overview
This document describes the functionality of the WisGateOS in detail. The interface builds on top of OpenWRT and all gateway products of the RAK72xx line share it. It gives instructions on configuring WAN, the LoRa Packet Forwarder, and MQTT Bridge. It explains how to do system monitoring, update the firmware, and reset the device. Last but not least, it provides information on using the Built-in LoRa Server. This guide functions as a reference for several products with similar functionality. Thus, some sections will apply to certain products and not others.
Gateway Start-Up
Make sure all the antennas are connected before powering the Gateway.
For RAK7258 and RAK7268, use the included adapter. RAK7249 and RAK7289 come with a PoE injector, which you need to connect to the grid on one side and to the gateway on the other (Ethernet cable not included).
The gateway comes configured in such a way that you can use either the Ethernet port or the Wi-Fi in AP mode to connect to the Management platform.
In both modes, you can access the Management UI via a web browser pointing to the IP address of the gateway (check your router DHCP list). Alternately, the IP Address (192.168.230.1) is preconfigured as the one to use to access the device provided you are directly connected to it.
Wi-Fi AP Mode
By default, the gateway is configured to work in Access Point (AP) mode. It has the following parameters:
- Wi-Fi: SSID: RAK72XX_xxxx (no password is required to connect via Wi-Fi)
- Web UI: Connect via a browser to the IP address assigned to the gateway which is
192.168.230.1by default. You should see the login window, as shown in Figure 1. Use the credentials below:- UI user: root
- UI password: root
WAN port (DHCP IP) mode
Connect the Ethernet cable to the port marked ETH and the other end to your router. Use the same credentials for the Web UI as for AP mode.
Figure 1: Login PageWeb Management Platform
After you have entered the correct credentials, you can start exploring the configuration and monitoring interface of the gateway.
Status
This is where statistics about the Gateway behavior can be monitored in real time.
Overview
The page consists of several areas where you can see the overview of some metrics and basic information about the gateway upon logging in the browser displays the page shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1: Overview Page- Received: Shows the total number of uplink LoRa messages received by the gateway. Here are displayed not only messages from devices connected to the gateway directly but from any device that is within the coverage of the gateway and transmitting LoRa messages.
- Transmitted: Shows the total number of downlink LoRa messages sent by the gateway.
- Active Nodes: Shows the number of active LoRa nodes within the LoRaWAN gateway's coverage. Those that have sent no data for more than 10 min are discarded from the count.
- Busy Nodes: Shows the number of busy nodes within the LoRaWAN gateway's coverage (Nodes with an average message spacing of less than 100s.).
- Duty Cycle of the LoRa Channel: The graph represents the Duty Cycle load by frequency channel (Data is kept for the last 12 hours). The minimum resolution along the time axis is 100s. Each value is an average of over 100s. The values are color code – green to red, low to high.
- RSSI & SNR: These graphs show how many of the total amount packets have an RSSI/SNR value within a certain range. This is also shown in a pie chart to the side of the graphs.
- Uplink Traffic: The field shows the packet per minute rate as a function of time and airtime(s) per minute as a function of time. Above the graphs, you can see the color-coding of the different Spreading Factors, where the actual height of the values is a sum of all the packets overall spreading factors for the time sample.
- Downlink Traffic: Shows the packet per minute rate as a function of time and airtime(s) per minute as a function of time. Above the graphs, you can see the color-coding of the different Spreading Factors, where the actual height of the values is a sum of all the packets overall spreading factors for the time sample.
- System: Shows some basic information about the gateway such as hostname, model, serial number, firmware version, local time, uptime of the gateway, load average, and GPS location.
- Memory: There are bars in this section that show how much is the Total Memory Available, Free and Buffered Memory is.
- LoRa Network Server: You can see the statistics for your network server. The number of associated LoRa Nodes, Uplink, Downlink, Received Join, and Rejected Join, those types of packets all have a numerical value associated with them. Additionally, you can check the Uptime and whether you have the MQTT Integration running.
- Network: Shows parameters and status for IPv4 network interface that is active in the gateway. Some of the parameters are Type, Interface IP, Netmask, Gateway, DNS1, DNS2, etc.
- Cellular: This shows the connection status of the gateway’s cellular together with the corresponding Network ID and the parameters of the Sim card (ICCID, IMSI, Phone number). (optional)
- Wireless: Shows parameters and status for the Wi-Fi. Some of the parameters are connectivity status, signal strength, and IP addressing parameters for both AP and Client interfaces.
- Dynamic DNS: The field shows the Dynamic DNS configuration if configured, otherwise, there will be a message saying There is no service configured.
LoRaWAN Packet Logger
This is where a log of the LoRa messages is shown in real-time. There are several options for filtering as well as the possibility to download the statistics in a file. There is also a message summary: Total, Uplink, and Downlink.
By selecting a particular packet (by a single click on the packet), you get an extended window with the detailed metadata for the packet as well as some RF parameters. In addition, there is a graph area below the packets list, where is shown the Air Time for each of the nodes that have packets detected by the packet logger and also the load per frequency channel.
Figure 1: LoRaWAN Packet Logger PageFilter the packets by choosing any of the following:
- Type: Filter the packets by type. By default, all the types of packets are shown. When a certain type is selected, the logger will show only this type of packet and the others will be ignored. The possible options are the following:
- Join Request
- Join Accept
- Unconfirmed Data Up
- Unconfirmed Data Down
- Confirmed Data Up
- Confirmed Data Down
- DevAddr: Filter the packets by the node address. Only packets from the selected node will show in the logger and the others will be ignored.
- Hide CRC_ERR packet: When it is selected, no CRC check error message will be displayed.
System Log
On this page, you can see the complete system logs. It is useful mainly for debugging purposes. The System Log reports both system information and actual data from LoRa frames coming from the end nodes.
Figure 1: System Log PageOn the top right corner, you can find the button there:
- AUTO REFRESH ON/OFF: Depending on the state (ON or OFF), the auto-refresh will be on or off.
Firewall
This section shows only information about traffic on different ports, addresses, etc. It is organized in tables; however, there are no configuration options here, and this is only for observation. There is a dedicated sub-section for the Firewall Settings in the Network section, where you can actually configure rather than only observe. The only actions you can perform here are to Reset Counters or Restart Firewall via the links on the top left.
Figure 1: Firewall PageNetwork
Ethernet Port
This page allows you to set up the Ethernet Port Type. The options are WAN and LAN, and they can be selected via the dropdown menu.
Figure 1: Ethernet Port PageWAN Interface
The first element of this page is the Status field where you (the user) can check statistics about the gateway, such as the Uptime, MAC-Address, TX, RX, and IPv4 Address. You can also configure the protocol to be used for connecting to the network.
Figure 1: WAN Interface PageThere are 2 options for the protocol:
- Static address: Allows you to put a static address that will be used by the gateway.
- DHCP client: The gateway will use the address that the router assigns to it.
When Static address is selected, other settings that can be done:
Figure 1: WAN Interface with Static Address PageIPv4 address: The network address in Internet Protocol version 4.
IPv4 netmask: The subnet mask in Internet Protocol version 4.
IPv4 gateway: The address that will be assigned to the Gateway in Internet Protocol version 4.
Use custom DNS servers: Flipping the DNS switch allows you to enter a custom DNS server address.
IPv6 assignment length: You can assign a part of given length of every public IPv6-prefix to this interface.
IPv6 address: The network address in Internet Protocol version 6.
IPv6 gateway: The address that will be assigned to the gateway in Internet Protocol 6.
IPv6 routed prefix: A public prefix routed to this device for distribution to clients.
Override MTU: You can set the Gateway MTU size (1500 standard).
Cellular Interface
This page is where you can make changes on the Cellular connectivity.
Figure 1: Cellular Interface Page- Status: This shows the Uptime, MAC-Address, RX (received packets), and TX (sent packets).
- LTE network is enabled: A button that enables/disables the interface.
- Enable IPv6: Enables the Internet Protocol version 6 for the Cellular interface.
- APN: The Access Point Name of the SIM provider (filled if needed).
- User: Username used for authorization.
- Password: Password for authorization.
- PIN Code: The PIN code of the SIM Card (filled if needed).
Wi-Fi
This page is where you can make changes in the Wireless connection. Enabling/Disabling the Wireless interface can be done via the blue button at the top. Additionally, you can pick a radio channel or leave it on Autoconfiguration (default). By default, your mode will be Access Point. The available options are:
- Access Point: Only AP will be available for accessing the gateway. When using this mode, you will see a field Wireless Access Point.
- ESSID: This field shows the name of the AP of the gateway. The name can be changed according to your desires. The default name is RAKXXXX_YYYY, where 'XXXX' is the model of the gateway (e. g. 7249), and 'YYYY' are the last symbols of the MAC address of the gateway.
- Encryption: You can choose between the four standards to use to protect the AP - No Encryption, WPA-PSK, WPA-PSK2, or WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK Mixed Mode. The last option is recommended.
- Key: In selecting an Encryption, a Key field will pop up. You must enter a password, which will be used to connect to the AP.
- Hidden: You can hide the AP by enabling this.
Figure 1: Access Point Mode- Client: Only the wireless client will be active. By this mode, you can easily connect the gateway to a wireless network. When selecting this mode, a Wireless Client field will appear.
- ESSID: You must type the name of the wireless network, to which they want to connect the gateway to.
- Encryption: You choose the encryption the wireless network is using. They can choose between four (4) standards - No Encryption, WPA-PSK, WPA-PSK2, or WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK Mixed Mode.
- Key: With selecting an Encryption, a Key field will pop up. You must type the password that is used by the wireless network.
- Below the Wireless Client menu, there is another menu. The first element is the Status field where you can check statistics about the gateway (Uptime, MAC-Address, TX, RX, and IPv4 Address). You can also configure the protocol to be used for connecting to the network.
Figure 1: Client Mode PageThere are 2 options for the protocol:
- Static address: Allows you to put a static address that will be used by the Gateway.
- DHCP: The gateway will use the address that the router's DHCP server assigns to it.
When Static address is selected, more settings pop up:
Figure 1: Client Menu with Static Address PageIPv4 address: The static address in Internet Protocol version 4.
IPv4 netmask: The subnet mask in Internet Protocol version 4.
IPv4 gateway: The address that will be assigned to the Gateway in Internet Protocol version 4.
Use custom DNS servers: Flipping the DNS switch allows you to enter a custom DNS server address.
IPv6 assignment length: You can assign a part of given length of every public IPv6-prefix to this interface.
IPv6 address: The static address in Internet Protocol version 6.
IPv6 gateway: The address that will be assigned to the gateway in Internet Protocol version 6.
IPv6 routed prefix: A public prefix routed to this device for distribution to clients.
Override MTU: You can set the gateway MTU size (Default is 1500).
- Access Point + Client: Both of the previous modes will be available.
- Wireless Access Point: See Access Point configuration to set up AP protection.
- Wireless Client: See Client configuration to connect the gateway to a wireless network.
Figure 1: Access Point + Client ModeAdditionally, you can choose a preferred protocol for the Wi-Fi interface - DHCP client and Static address. The menu is the same as the WAN Interface.
To see how to configure each mode, refer to Wi-Fi Modes Configuration documentation.
Diagnostics
This is where you can perform checks via the built-in tools: Ping, Traceroute, and Nslookup.
You can either enter an URL or an IP Address in the text box and execute the command with the button. Both IPv4 and IPv6 are supported (chosen via the drop-down menu). The results are conveniently displayed in a CLI box.
Figure 1: Diagnostics PageFirewall
The Firewall settings won’t be discussed in detail in this document due to the large variety of settings to be configured. This document will give a simple overview of the interface instead.
The Firewall page has a few separated tabs:
- General Settings: This tab has two fields. The first field is the General Settings tab where general settings can be done: Enable/Disable SYN-flood protection, Drop invalid packets on/off, and Input/Output/Forward settings. The second field is for Zones settings where you can set up separate settings for the zones.
Figure 1: General Settings Tab- Port Forwards: This tab allows you to set up the port forwards. Port forwarding allows remote computers on the Internet to connect to a specific computer or service within the private LAN. In the tab, there is a register with the port forwards that are already set up, and below is a couple of fields to set up a new port forward.
Figure 1: Port Forwards Tab- Traffic Rules: This tab allows you to set up the traffic rules. Traffic rules define policies for packets traveling between different zones, for example, to reject traffic between certain hosts or to open WAN ports on the router.
Figure 1: Traffic Rules Tab- Custom Rules: This tab allows you to execute arbitrary iptables commands which are not otherwise covered by the firewall framework. The rules that will be written is interpreted as a shell script.
Figure 1: Custom Rules TabMulti WAN
In the Multi WAN menu, you can can set a priority for all the interfaces. If highest priority WAN source goes down, other in line will be used to access Internet. In the WAN Source Status, it shows which interface is available.
Figure 1: Multi WAN TabChannel Plan
In the Channel Plan, you can set up the operating frequency of the gateway. These frequency channels are the ones that the gateway will use to both receiving and transmitting from/to LoRa nodes. The first field on the page is for the Region that the gateway is set to. You can also change the region, corresponding to the frequency band for their country. The other modifications that can be done are LoRaWAN Public (on/off), Multi-SF LoRa Channel, Standard Lora Channel, and FSK Channel.
Figure 1: Channel Plan PageThere is also the button Conform to LoRaWAN that when turned off, it will give you a possibility to set up a Radio Configuration for each concentrator.
Figure 1: Switch to Advanced Mode TabLoRa Network
Network Settings
Here, the working mode of the gateway is set up. In the LoRaWAN Network Settings field, you can find the Gateway EUI and set the Mode (Packet Forwarder, Basics Station, and Network Server) and Log Level (Error, Warning, Notice, Info, and Debug). Depending on the chosen mode, the set of available settings change.
Packet Forwarder
- General Setup: All the needed variables for configuration are as follows:
- Protocol: You can choose what protocol will be used by the gateway.
- Server Address: The URL of the LoRa Server (in the example: the EU TTN address).
- Server Port Up/Down: These are the ports of the LoRa Server that are going to be used for inbound and outbound traffic.
- Push Timeout (ms): The time delay for the server response after sending uplink data.
- Statistic Interval (s): The time interval of how often statistics are pushed to the server.
- Keepalive Interval (s): the interval of which the gateway send data to make sure that the server is aware that the gateway is online. For example, the MQTT bridge will unsubscribe from the topics after a certain period of inactivity.
- Automatic data recovery: A feature that allows LoRa frames to be stored on the SD card (provided there is one in the slot). If the gateway loses connection to the LoRa Network Server, upon restoring the connection, the buffered messages will be forwarded, so no data is lost. This is done in blocks of 8 (FIFO) until all are cleared from the buffer.
- DGRAM MTU: The size of the maximum transmission unit. Default is 1400.
- Auto-restart Threshold: This variable defines how many times the Keepalive Interval can expire before the Packet Forwarder restarts.
- Is LoRaWAN Network: When NO is chosen, frames that are not compliant with the LoRaWAN specification will be forwarded (in case of a proprietary LoRa Server solution). By default, YES is selected and non LoRaWAN packets are dropped.
Figure 1: General Setup Tab-
Beacon Setup
- Beacon Period: How often the beacon is broadcasted.
- Beacon Frequency (Hz): The frequency of the beacon.
- Beacon Channel Number: This is the channel number of the beacon.
- Beacon Frequency Step: The frequency step between beacon channels (in Hz).
- Beacon Spreading Factor: The spreading factor of the beacon.
- Beacon Bandwidth: The bandwidth the beacon is going to use.
- Beacon Tx Power: This is the transmit power of the beacon.
-
Packet Filter
- Enable White List Mode: Enable/disable the functionality that can filter incoming traffic and only forward packets from certain nodes to optimize bandwidth usage over the backhaul.
- OUI List: A white list filtering option.
- Network ID List: A white list filtering option.
- Enable Auto Filter: Functionality that allows nodes to be automatically dropped following a set of the parameters listed below it.
- Discard Period: A period threshold of discard time for nodes (in seconds).
- Join Period: A period threshold of Statistics on the latest join request (in seconds).
- Join Interval: Time interval threshold of the same device EUI twice consecutive join request (in seconds).
- Join Count 1: Maximum count of join requests allowed during Join Interval.
- Join Count 2: Maximum count of join requests allowed during the Join Period.
Figure 1: Packet Filter Tab- GPS Information
- Fake GPS: You can turn on/off the fake GPS functionality and manually set Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude.
Figure 1: GPS Information TabMQTT Bridge Settings
If you choose an MQTT Bridge option in the Protocol field of the General Setup of the Packet Forwarder working mode, a new field with configuration options will pop up below. The Beacon Setup, Packet Filter, and GPS Information tabs stay the same.
- General Setup
- MQTT Broker Address: The IP address of the Gateway where the MQTT Broker is hosted.
- MQTT Broker Port: The corresponding port (default port is 1883).
- MQTT Protocol Version: You can choose between V3.1 and V3.1.1. There is very little difference between them, and you can refer to the document: Differences between 3.1.0 and 3.1.1.
- Client ID: An ID that is used to associate with the topic. If the field is left empty, a random one will be generated.
- Clean Session: When this function is enabled, the Broker will not store any subscription information or undelivered messages.
- Will Retain: When this function is enabled, the last message published will be retained.
- Qos: You can set the desired Quality of Service level.
- keepalive: The keepalive interval is in seconds. Default is 10.
- Enable User Authentication: This function enables Encryption of the transmitted data. You need to configure the Certificates used to encrypt the data to secure authentication being performed.
- SSL/TLS Mode: When enabled (disabled by default), you can choose between three modes, CA signed server certificate, Self-signed server certificate, and Self-signed server & client certificate, with their corresponding options.
Figure 1: General Setup Tab- MQTT Topic Template Setup: There are two types of templates, depending on which LoRa Network Server Type you have have chosen.
Figure 1: ChirpStack 2.x Topic Template
Figure 1: ChirpStack 3.x Topic TemplateBasics Station
By choosing this working mode, you can configure the gateway to work as a Basics Station with three options: CUPS Boot Server, CUPS Server, and LNS Server. For further information, refer to the LoRa Basics Station site.
Figure 1: Basics Station ConfigurationEach option requires:
- URI: The address of the server to which the gateway is going to connect.
- Port: Corresponding port of the server.
- Authentication Mode: You can choose between the four options with their corresponding fields:
- No Authentication: The server requires no authentication.
- TLS Server Authentication: The server requires a trust file to authenticate.
- TLS Server and Client Authentication: The server requires trust, certificate, and key files for authentication.
- TLS Server Authentication and Client Token: The server requires a trust file and a client token.