Follow these instructions to set up your new gateway. Always set up a gateway before any sensors.
Before you begin: The cards for the gateways and sensors you received should show up in Conserv Cloud before you connect them. If you do not see them, contact the Support Team.
Decide on a Connection
To set up your gateway, first decide whether you are going to use your building's network or if you will use the gateway's built-in SIM card.
If you will use a network, you must attach the gateway to a port using the ethernet cable that is included in your Conserv box. If you have not talked to your IT department about this option before, you may find that you are unable to connect. This will most likely be due to institutional firewalls. Contact your IT department to help you unblock the ports you need to connect your gateway to your wired internet.
If you will use cell service, the ethernet cable is not necessary. Many customers rely solely on the SIM card due to internet challenges or institutional security protocols. However, whenever possible, Conserv recommends that you use the ethernet port because it can be helpful from a network redundancy standpoint.
Evaluate the Gateway Location
Choose a location with strong cell coverage or an Ethernet connection. Conserv’s SIM cards work with most cell providers. The signal strength indicator in the gateway card refers to the SIM signal, not Ethernet or sensor connections.
Depending on the building, you might need to place the gateway above ground, near a window, or centrally to where you place your sensors.
Assemble the Gateway Components
- Screw the included antenna onto the gateway and direct it upwards.
- Attach the included power cord, and plug it into your power source.
- Connect the ethernet cable (optional)
You should see a flashing green light on the upper-left corner of your gateway. The other light next to it will not turn on.
If using an ethernet cable, you should see an orange and a green light in the ethernet port as soon as you connect the cable.
The gateway should automatically connect if you are in an area with good cell service or if the gateway has a hardwired connection to the internet. If, for some reason, it does not connect, the Conserv Support Team can work with your IT team. Before you contact support, check out these gateway troubleshooting tips.
Place a Gateway
Find a location for your gateway that has a good connection before you connect and place your sensors in their final locations. You can check this by looking at the gateway card on the dashboard in Conserv Cloud. For example, this gateway card shows that the gateway is connected via the SIM card and has a "Good" connection.
The "Status" refers to the cellular connection. The different statuses represent the strength of the connectivity. The following table applies to 4G signal levels:
|
RSSI |
Signal Strength |
Description |
|
> -65 dBm |
Excellent |
Strong signal with maximum data speeds. |
|
-65 dBm to -75 dBm |
Good |
Strong signal with good data speeds. |
|
-75 dBm to -85 dBm |
Fair |
Fair but useful, fast and reliable data speeds may be attained, but marginal data with drop-outs is possible. |
|
-85 dBm to -95 dBm |
Poor |
Performance will drop drastically. |
|
<= -95 dBm |
No signal |
Disconnection |
Typically, you can improve your SIM connection if you have the gateway near an exterior wall/window. If you do not have a strong SIM connection, your gateway can still be connected via the ethernet. The gateway card will indicate if it has an ethernet connection or not.
Verify your Gateway’s Status
Ensure that your gateway is online. In Conserv Cloud, you can see your gateway cards on the dashboard. When a gateway is connected, its corresponding card updates to reflect the connection.
This process may take a few minutes, and you may need to refresh the dashboard.
If your gateway is not connected, the card will look like the following image.
If your Gateway is connected, the card will look like the one of the following images.
It is possible for your gateway to say Status Unknown and still be online. See Resolve an Unknown Status for more information.