Connectivity zones

Learn how to place Border Gateways and Mesh Gateways in a Site to ensure connectivity between the Wildfire Sensors and the Silvanet Cloud.

Plan connectivity

Use the Plan Connectivity tool to add Border Gateways and Mesh Gateways to the Site. When adding a Gateway, the Planning tool creates a connectivity zone identified by an irregular blue pattern on the map. This zone shows the range of the Gateway based on several factors including:

• Site topology

• Expected range of the gateway

• Installation height

Areas outside the blue zone do not have direct Line of Sight to the Gateway.

Add Border Gateway

First add a Border Gateway to ensure connectivity to the Internet. Find a location that is at the edge of a forest and, ideally, has access to a mains power supply. Then you add the Mesh Gateways to build up a Silvanet Mesh Network.

Place your first gateway by clicking on the map at the desired location. If you already know where your Border Gateway should be placed, start by placing your first gateway at this location.

Border Gateway added

Ensure at least one Border Gateway per mesh network. If you create a site with several Border gateways, account for them manually.

1. Select Connectivity Mesh, then select Add Gateways. A Gateway icon appears on the map.

2. Place Gateway on the Map where you plan on locating it (based on requirements).

3. In the Edit Gateway form, set properties:

   1. Name: Identify the Gateway with a name.

   2. Gateway Type: Options include Border Gateway, Mesh Gateway. Choose Border Gateway

   3. Installation Height: Options include 3m Standard, 5m Pole, 10m Tower

   4. Network: Options include Unknown/TBD, Cellular, Satellite

   5. Power Type: Options include Unknown/TBD, Solar, POE

   6. Location: Latitude and Longitude is set automatically based on where the Gateway was placed on the map.

4. Save the project.

Add Mesh Gateway

Extend Mesh Network coverage by placing Mesh Gateways within the blue zone (connectivity zone) of an existing Gateway.

Mesh Gateway added

1. Select Connectivity Mesh, then select Add Gateways. A Gateway icon appears on the map.

2. Place Gateway on the Map where you plan on locating it (based on requirements).

3. In the Edit Gateway form, set properties:

   1. Name: Identify the Gateway with a name.

   2. Gateway Type: Options include Border Gateway, Mesh Gateway. Choose Mesh Gateway

   3. Installation Height: Options include 3m Standard, 5m Pole, 10m Tower

   4. Location: Latitude and Longitude is set automatically based on where the Gateway was placed on the map.

4. Add additional Mesh Gateways as required.

5. Save the project.

Building a resilient Mesh Network

To build a resilient mesh network, we advise that each gateway should be in line of sight with at least 2 other Gateways, when possible.

Deleting Gateways

If you need to delete one or all Gateways, see How do I delete Gateways from a Deployment Plan?

Estimated network coverage

After placing the Border and Mesh Gateways on the map, the Planning tool estimates the network coverage. When reaches a high enough coverage percentage, it is indicated by a Sufficient Coverage message.

Network coverage indicator

Connectivity threshold - 95%

When connectivity reaches 95%, this is considered a threshold for acceptable coverage in a Site.