Packet Power
™ Ethernet Gateway Version 3 Product Manual
Copyright 2014 © Packet Power, LLC.
1
Overview
The Ethernet Gateway version 3 is the central Gateway by which all Packet Power
monitoring nodes (environmental and power) communicate. This guide is intended to
provide a high level overview of how to commission a Gateway module. Refer to the support
section of
www.packetpower.com
for additional support.
Introduction to the Gateway
Gateway Placement
: Gateway placement is critical. Gateway module(s) should be located 10-30
meters / 30-100 feet from one or more monitoring nodes (ideally line of site). The network is
designed as a mesh network which means that the signal for distant nodes can be relayed through
adjacent nodes until reaching nodes in good radio proximity to the Gateway. Refer to the Gateway
Placement manual on the support section of the website for additional details.
Locate the gateway at a height above monitoring nodes when possible in a location
with the best line of sight view of monitoring nodes.
Do not locate inside metallic cabinets or directly on metal surfaces
Use the Gateway mounting bracket for optimal placement and signal strength.
Redundant Gateways are advised for any critical environment; additional Gateways
should be placed in midway or in the opposite end of the device constellation when
possible.
Gateway Types
: There are various Gateway models. These include the standard Gateway designed
to communicate exclusively with the Packet Power EMX portal, Modbus TCP/IP output versions
(enterprise and solo), and SMNP output versions (solo and enterprise). All Gateway versions can
communicate with the EMX portal simultaneously (i.e. a Modbus version can provide ModBus TCP/IP
output as well as communicate with the EMX portal simultaneously).
Gateway Facts
: One Gateway can support up to 300 nodes (node count will affect polling time). The
network is self-configuring and will auto recognize new nodes added. Multiple Gateways can be used
within a network for capacity or redundancy and will automatically load balance the nodes.
Updates
: The Gateway firmware is capable of being remotely updated over the network. Consult the
support section of the website for additional details.
Security
: The Packet Power network is designed to be the most secure monitoring system available
with many inherent security features exclusive to the architecture that limit any possibility of
penetration through the wireless nodes onto the host network. Additionally the Gateway can be
equipped with 128 bit encryption. Contact Packet Power for additional details.
