Titan – Configuration: WAN

/in , /by

The WAN section refers to everything related to the 2G/3G route configuration, from the connection status, network configuration parameters and supervision of the connection.

WAN: Status

This screen shows the general status of the router:

  • Public IP: WAN IP address (address of the GPRS/3G connection) if available
  • GSM Module: indicates the manufacturer and the router’s internal GSM module model
  • Network (2G/3G): indicates if the current WAN connection is using 2G (GPRS) or 3G
  • RSSI: indicates the signal strength. 0=none, 31=maximum
  • Internal Temperature: shows the internal processor’s temperature (it does not indicate the outside temperature. To find this out, a Temperature Sensor peripheral device can be connected to the router)

Titan-Manual - WAN Status

WAN: Basic Settings

This section assists with the configuration of the WAN (2G/3G) connection parameters. We will need to know certain information about the SIM card such as the APN, login and password. Our network provider should provide we with these.

  • Enabled WAN: select this to allow the MTX-Router-Titan to activate the 2G/3G device.
  • Session Time: indicates the time in minutes that the 2G/3G connection should be active. If the value is “0”, it means that the connection is active all the time. If a value greater than 0 is specified, the number specifies the number of minutes during which the connection will be active following an event such as an SMS message being received or a missed call. Go to the configuration “Other > SMS Control” to activate and configure these events for when a number greater than 0 is specified.
  • APN: operator APN. Consult our GSM provider for this.
  • Username: operator Username. Consult our GSM provider for this
  • Password: operator Password. Consult our GSM provider for this.
  • Call center: call center number. Usually *99***1#
  • SIM pin: if our SIM card has a PIN number, it should be specified here.
  • Authentication: the method of authentication. Usually PAP
  • Network selection:
    • auto: the router will use 3G when 3G coverage is available, and 2G in the event that there is no 3G coverage
    • 3G: the router will use 3G networks in every case. If there is no 3G coverage, it will not change to 2G
    • GPRS: the router will use 2G networks in all cases
  • DNS1 and DNS2: DNS servers for domain name resolution. It is recommended that those belonging to Google (8.8.8.8 and 4.4.4.4) are used, or whatever our provider gives we
  • Remote management: if activated, we will be able to access the router’s web configuration remotely via the public IP address (indicated in WAN>Status)
  • Remote TCP Port: indicates the TCP port for remote configuration. For example, if the value is 8080, the URL of the configuration will be http://x.x.x.x:8080. The standard default port is 80, but if we wish to use NAT to the TCP80 port in an ETH device (IP camera, PLC), we will need to change it, for example, to 8080

Titan-Manual - WAN Basic Settings

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Once the configuration is finished, click “SAVE CONFIG” to save the changes. Remember that the router should be restarted for the changes to take effect.

WAN: Basic Settings, Utilities

The utilities that we can find at the bottom of the “WAN > Basic Settings” screen allow we to select the main and secondary GSM operators when using a Global SIM card. (A Global SIM card allows we to connect to several network operators that are available. For example, in Spain, we would be able to connect to Movistar, Vodafone or Orange).

  • Strong scanning: scans the GSM stations for all available network operators. This action uses a significant amount of processing poour and therefore can take up to 4 minutes. On occasion, it may be necessary to try the process again. If successful, a list of the detected BTS will be shown, indicating the operator’s name, its code, its availability and the type of network (2G/3G). This could be very useful in helping we decide the best operator to use in a particular place.

Titan User Manual - WAN Basic Settings Utils

With Strong Scanning, 3G connectivity is lost during the process and therefore we recommend using the Ethernet interface to carry this out. Because of this, “Strong Scanning” has two buttons – “start process from Ethernet” and “Start process from 3G”.

If the process is carried out using Ethernet, press this button and the results will be shown on screen once finished.

If the process is carried out using 3G, press this button and after five minutes, the device will reset itself. We will have to return to the screen manually and press the “See last results” button in order to see the results.

  • Light scanning: this carries out a similar process, but only those operators that are available for our SIM card are identified. 3G connectivity is not lost during the process, which could last up to 2 minutes, meaning that it is ideal when carried out remotely via 3G.
  • Choose operators: this allows we to choose the GSM operator and the secondary operators. It can only be used when a Global SIM (allowing connections to several operators) is inserted. The default setting is “Automatic”.

Titan User Manual - WAN Global SIM

Example contained in the screenshot above. We choose the “Main and Backups” option, which forces the indicated GSM operators to be used. The main operator is 21407 (Movistar). If an IP address is not obtained using this network, the process is retried using operator 21043 (Orange), and if this fails, it tries again with operator 21401 (Vodafone). If the third network operator also fails, the router will try to connect to a GSM network automatically.

If we select the “Automatic” option instead of “Main and Backups”, the router will try to select the operator in the order that is stablished in the SIM card’s internal tables. Except for in locations prone to connectivity problems, we recommend we use the “Automatic” option.

The section Wan > Basic Settings > Utils is not available for 4G models.

  • Automatic APN: This new feature will work when we enter the text “auto” in the “APN” field. That is, as indicated in the following figure:

Titan User Manual - WAN Basic Settings APN

When “auto” is specified in the APN field, the Titan router will not use the APN, Username and Password fields in this section, instead, it will look up in the table (which can be consulted by pressing the “Automatic APN “) The appropriate APN, Username and Passwords. This is particularly useful if we intend to send the router to a third party and only have to insert the SIM without configuring anything else.

Although the list of operators has a considerable number of data (apn, username, password) it is strongly recommended to review the list and update it with the desired operators.

The format of the file is very simple:
codigoSim: apn, username, password

The username and password only need to be indicated in those operators that actually use them, not being necessary otherwise.

Failover: in case we are using the Ethernet interface or the Titan router WiFi as an Internet output and it fails, we can configure this section so the Titan router automatically connects to the Internet via 2G/3G/4G.

  • Enabled: activate this box to enable the Failover
  • IP1: IP address for the periodic ping by the used interface (Ethernet or WiFi) to make sure the communications are working
  • IP2: backup IP address for the periodic ping by the used interface (Ethernet or WiFi) to make sure the communications are working
  • Interface: specify the interface being used to access the Internet (Ethernet or WiFi)
  • IP gateway: specify the output gateway IP address used for the Ethernet or WiFi connection
  • Fast recovery: select this box in case we want the 2G/3G/4G connection to end when the Ethernet or WiFi connection is restored. Otherwise it will be connected the amount of time specified in WAN > Basic Settings > Session Time

Important: in case we use the Failover feature we need to make sure to enable the box “WAN > Basic Settings > Enabled WAN” and to enter a value > 0 in the field “WAN > Basic Settings > Session Time.” That value will be the minutes the 2G/3G/4G connection will be enabled in case there is a problem with the Ethernet or WiFi interface.

WAN: Keep Online

On this screen we can configure a PING to ensure the router’s connectivity. If the PING fails on three occasions, the 2G/3G connection will be reset. We recommend the use of this characteristic.

  • Enabled: activate to allow the Titan to periodically send a PING to check the connectivity
  • Ping Server: indicates the server’s IP address where the PING should be sent
  • Period: indicates how frequently a PING should be sent

Additional Notes

  • Once the configuration is finished, click “SAVE CONFIG” to save the changes. Remember that
    the router should be restarted for the changes to take effect

Titan – FAQs and Basic Concepts

/in , /by

If we still have doubts after reading the previous list of benefits, we recommend reading the following FAQs where everything we need to know about the main characteristics of the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices is explained in a detailed manner.

What is the physical structure of the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices like?

Below we have an image of the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini.

What can I do with the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices?

Basically, everything that can be done with a standard router is possible with this device, with the addition of several advanced gateway benefits. For example, we can give Internet connectivity to the devices connected to our Ethernet port, as well as providing NAT to connect via Internet to devices that are attached to the port.

Is it possible to connect WiFi enabled devices to Internet using a WiFi connection?

Essentially, yes. MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini can be used as an Access Point WiFi, and therefore can provide an Internet connection to WiFi enabled devices.

What is offered in terms of serial gateways?

Up to three simultaneous serial gateways can be used, whether they are of the form TCP Client or TCP Server. This means that we can control three or more serial devices.

What about RS232 or RS485 serial gateways?

With the MTX-Router-Titan device, we can have up to three RS232 gateways and one of these can be configured to be RS485. With the MTX-Router-Titan mini device, we can have up to two RS232 gateways, one of which is configureable to be RS485.

It would be interesting if the MTX-Router-Titan devices allowed Internet connectivity (via ETH or WiFi), but oure also capable of picking up and managing a GSM data (CSD) call for Metering applications. Is it possible?

Yes, but with restrictions. The MTX-Router-Titan must force itself to work in 2G mode. In this way, it can carry out the normal functions of the router at the same time that it manages a CSD calls that is received without problem.

I want a router but I need to be able to send AT commands directly to it to be able to send SMS, consult the network coverage, etc. Does the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini allow this?

Yes, both do, and in several ways. We can send AT commands from a serial port or a Telnet connection via IP and even SMS.

I notice that both the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini have a USB port. Could I connect a USB device to the gateway to create a USB gateway; i.e. control a USB device remotely?

If the USB uses the FTDI driver, then yes. For other types of drivers, we must investigate further.

Do the MTX-Router-Titan devices support a Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU gateway?

Yes, it does support this protocol conversion.

Can it also read Modbus RTU devices autonomously to send the data to the cloud?

Yes, it can. The MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices can read Modbus RTU devices, store the readings and send  them to web platforms via a JSON object when there is network coverage.

In other words, the MTX-Router-Titan has the capability of a datalogger and can store data?

It can store many different types of data to send them later to web platforms. Amongst these we have ModBus readings, temperature readings, distance sensors, waveflows, etc.

Temperatures and distances?

Yes. We can directly connect an temperature sensor to a serial port on the MTX device and carry out many things. For example, we can periodically read and send to the cloud the temperatures, we can send an SMS alarm or IP message when the temperature is above or below a pre-determined level, etc. The Maxbotix RS232 distance sensor works exactly the same. The MTX device can periodically send the measurements, or send SMS alarms or IP messages whenever the distance measured is greater than or less than a particular value. Typical applications include grain silos.

Does it work the same for waveflows?

It works in a similar way. The MTX-Router-Titan device can read waveflows (pulse counters for electricity or water meters for metering applications) and send them to the cloud. Several utilities have been incorporated to check the RF link level in the MTX-Router-Titan device’s web configuration environment.

What is meant by the web configuration environment?

All device configurations can be carried out by using the web configuration, i.e. on the devices’ internal webserver.

Is it possible to read or load a complete configuration in the routers belonging to the Titan family? This helps the production process when there is a considerable number of devices to be configured.

Essentially, we can create backups/restorations of complete configurations.

Do the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices have DynDNS?

Yes, they do, and compatible with NO-IP. Also, there is the possibility of using private DNS to send the current IP address, either every time it changes or periodically, to a private server such as our business server.

Can the relays also be controlled?

Yes, they can. The MTX-Router-Titan device has two relays and the MTX-Router-Titan mini device, being smaller, has just one relay. The relays can be changes from a web browser, via SMS, AT commands, Telnet or according to a timetable and even a temperature (high or low) or distance (longer or shorter).

If we talk about a timetable, does this mean that the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini have a real time clock?

Yes, they are synchronized using NTP via Internet using UTC time.

Is there a digital entry to send alarms in case of changes?

Yes, but only with the MTX-Router-Titan mini device.

Can the MTX devices be configured by SMS?

Yes, they can. We can send AT commands via SMS in order to restart the device, change the configuration, find out the IP address, check the network coverage, etc.

I would like to be able to personalize the web configuration environment with my company’s logos and images. Can this be done?

Yes. Users are free to customize the web configuration environment using their logos, headers/footers, etc. We can even choose which menus the final user can see/change.

Do the MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini have an LED indicator light?

Yes, they do. There is also a user-configurable LED that can illuminate in red if the device cannot read the IP address, or if the network coverage is weak, etc.

Finally, can MTX-Router-Titan II, MTX-Router-Titan and MTX-Router-Titan mini devices carry out all the previous simultaneously?

Yes, they can. For example, 3G-RS232 gateways can run alongside a USB gateway whilst allowing a device to connect to the Internet using its Ethernet connection, or giving WiFi connectivity to PDAs, whilst using DynDNS, timed relays, or sending to the cloud readings from water meters obtained by RF868MHz, etc. All this can work simultaneous and in harmony.