Installing Border Gateways
Install Border Gateways to either metal poles or trees and with a reliable power supply and Internet connectivity.
Steps
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Ensure you have reviewed the topic Silvanet Border Gateway.
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Once the planned location is found, Scan the QR Code of the Border Gateway to register the Device ID with Silvanet Cloud.
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Attach the Border Gateway to a pole (recommended) or to a tree.
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Attach the antennas.
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Attach the Solar Panel to the same pole or tree.
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If a router is available for use, connect the Border Gateway to Ethernet over PoE.
Attaching Border Gateway to pole
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Loosely connect the U-Clamps to the Border Gateway, then slide the gateway onto the pole from the top (if possible).
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Hand-tighten the nuts, then use the 17 mm wrench to tighten the nuts. Do not use excessive force to prevent damage to the Border Gateway.
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Attach the antennas: LoRa antenna on the top connector; LTE antenna on the bottom connector; satellite antenna is on the side.
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Attach the solar panel to the pole. And if used, connect the Ethernet cable.
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Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud. See Run connectivity test.
Attaching Border Gateway to a tree
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Once a tree has been selected, use a safety strap to hold the ladder to the tree, then with an assistant stabilizing the ladder at the bottom. Locate a position on the tree that is approximately 3 m above forest floor.
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Ensure any obstructions at the deployment height, such as branches, are removed. This allows the solar panel to have good irradiation from the sun to charge the device. Carefully remove a small portion of the bark with an axe or chisel where the holes in the tree will be drilled. This allows the gateway to hang vertically on the tree.
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With a distance between the holes at 70 mm, drill approximately 6-7 cm (2 1/5 inches) into the tree for the top loops. Ensure you do not split the tree or drill on an angle. Use the 10mm drill bit.
Drill a pilot hole first
When drilling into a tree, first drill a pilot hole using a small drill bit (1/4 inch / 6mm) then drill the final hole with the 10mm drill bit. Also, ensure you are using a drill bit for wood. This ensures the wood in the tree does not split.
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Carefully hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Border Gateway into the holes.
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Carefully drill the bottom two holes using the lower holes as templates. Be careful not to damage the Gateway case while doing so. Also, use a drill bit with a sufficient length to ensure the holes are at the correct depth.
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Carefully hammer the treenails through the bottom loops into the tree. Check to ensure the Border Gateway is securely attached to the tree and can not move.
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Attach the antennas: LoRa antenna on the top connector; LTE antenna on the bottom connector; satellite antenna is on the side.
Distance from tree
The antennas should have at least a finger-width distance from the trunk. Also, ensure the satellite antenna and other cables are freely hanging away from the tree.
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Attach the solar panel to the pole. And if used, connect the Ethernet cable.
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Run a connectivity test to ensure the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud. See Run connectivity test.