Power supply and Internet deployment scenarios

The Border Gateway can be deployed in various scenarios based on power supply, internet connectivity and location.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)-ready router

In a setup using a Power over Ethernet (PoE)-ready router, the Border Gateway obtains a power source from a PoE enabled Internet router. Using the supplied PoE Adapter is not required. The solar panel acts as a backup power supply.

Border Gateway connection: Connected to the router with a single Ethernet cable.
Router type: Cable or ADSL router that includes support for PoE.

Feature	Description
Internet connectivity	The Border Gateway is connected to the Internet router using an Ethernet cable.
Power supply	The Border Gateway uses the PoE and an Internet connection provided by the router. In this setup, a separate PoE Adapter is not needed.
Backup	In case of power failure or loss of Internet connectivity through Ethernet, the Border Gateway can use its built-in 4G/LTE-M (or 2G/GPRS) mobile radio or its satellite connectivity. In case of a power failure, backup power is provided by the solar panel.

Router without PoE support

In a setup with a router that does not support PoE, the Border Gateway is connected to an Internet router such as a cable or ADSL router. It uses the supplied PoE Adapter.

Important

The Border Gateway requires a PoE Adapter (Injector) that provides a voltage range of between 36V and 57V. The PoE must be IEEE 802.3af compliant.

Border Gateway connection: Connected to the POE Adapter with an Ethernet cable.
PoE Adapter: Plugged into mains power supply.
Router: Connected to the LAN-port of the PoE Adapter with an Ethernet cable.

Feature	Description
Internet connectivity	The Internet router connected to the PoE Adapter provides Internet connectivity.
Power supply	The PoE Adapter plugged in to the mains provides the power supply for the Border Gateway.
Backup	In case of power failure or loss of Internet connectivity through Ethernet, the Border Gateway can use its built-in 4G/LTE-M (or 2G/GPRS) mobile radio or its satellite connectivity. In case of a power failure, backup power is provided by the solar panel.

Warning

When using the built-in Ethernet connection, this setup is supported only in combination with PoE. The solar panel does not provide enough energy to support Ethernet connectivity of the border gateway.

Router with mains power

In this setup, the Border Gateway is deployed in a location without a fixed-line Internet connection (without a router) but does have mains power. It uses the supplied PoE adapter.

Border Gateway connection: Connected to the LAN-port of the POE Adapter with an Ethernet cable.
PoE Adapter: Plugged into the mains power supply.

Setup without router but with mains power

Feature	Description
Internet connectivity	Provided by the Border Gateway's built-in 4G/LTE 2G/GPRS radio.
Power supply	Powered by the PoE Adapter plugged into a mains power supply.
Backup	In case of power failure or loss of Internet connectivity through Ethernet, the Border Gateway can use its built-in 4G/LTE-M (or 2G/GPRS) mobile radio or its satellite connectivity. In case of a power failure, backup power is provided by the solar panel.

No router or mains power

Often Internet connectivity and a mains power source is unreliable in remote locations. Border Gateways deployed in these locations have neither fixed-line Internet connectivity or a reliable power supply. However, the Border Gateway can use its solar panel for a power supply. It uses mobile radio connectivity (if available) or a satellite uplink (to send fire alert signals to the Silvanet Cloud).

Border Gateway connection: No connection to any router or mains power supply.

Setup without router and without mains power

Feature	Description
Internet connectivity	Provided by the Border Gateway's built-in LTE-M 2G/GPRS mobile radio, if a mobile tower is accessible. Otherwise, it uses a satellite uplink.
Power supply	Powered by the solar panel which charges the Border Gateway's internal energy storage. However, depending on the amount of sunlight, data transfer might be limited.
Backup	In case of power failure or loss of Internet connectivity through Ethernet, the Border Gateway can use its built-in 4G/LTE-M (or 2G/GPRS) mobile radio or its satellite connectivity. In case of a power failure, backup power is provided by the solar panel.

Backup (loss of power supply/Internet)

Normally, as a fallback, the Border Gateway supports several methods to ensure uninterrupted Internet connectivity. If the Border Gateway loses Internet connectivity and/or power supply, the solar panel and satellite ensures uninterrupted Internet connectivity.

Important

Should the installation location of the Border Gateway have neither a mains power supply nor access to a mobile network (4G/LTE 2G/GPRS), the Border Gateway can still transmit minimal messages to the satellite. However, messages are restricted to fire alerts only. This scenario is applicable, for example, where natural disasters like thunderstorms or earthquakes bring down Internet connectivity.

Loss	Backup
Loss of mains power supply	The solar panel provides a backup emergency power supply. The solar panel charges the internal batteries and allows the mobile data connection to be used.
Loss of Internet connectivity (Ethernet)	Due to loss of power or network failure, the mobile data connection (4G/2G) is used.
Loss of Internet connectivity (Ethernet and Mobile)	Satellite uplink functions as an emergency backup. In this situation, only Fire alarms are sent. As the system runs in power saving mode, no other sensor data can be transmitted.