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Version: 5.32

Configuring Gateway

1. Goal​

  • Use your Charge Controller as a network Gateway to forward an existing network connection to other devices
tip

The WAN router and the DLM master function don't have to be configured on the same controller. We recommend to set configure one Charge Controller as the WAN router and another as the DLM Master. This ensures that in case of a defect the system fails only partially.

2. Requirements​

Make sure that

  • The Charge Controllers are connected through Ethernet to an Ethernet Switch
  • At least one Charge Controller has a GSM module and a SIM card
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We'll call the Charge Controller in charge of the Gateway the WAN Charge Controller. For clarity, we'll refer to the non-WAN Charge Controllers as non-WAN Charge Controllers.

3. Option 1: Automatic network configuration​

With automatic network configuration, it's possible for all Charge Controllers that are connected to each other via Ethernet or WLAN to be automatically assigned an IP address/DNS and Gateway with the help of a built-in DHCP server. The DHCP server is then the controller on which LAN parameter Mode for ethernet configuration is activated on DHCP server.

3.1. Recommendations​

If the DHCP server is switched on, assign static IP addresses to the Charge Controllers.

3.1.1. Advantages​

  • A computer connected to the Ethernet switch is automatically assigned an IP address in the same network.

3.2. Configuring the Gateway Charge Controller​

  1. Establish a network connection through GSM
  2. On the Charge Controller you want to act as the WAN router

    Apply the following configuration:

Location in Configuration InterfaceParameterValue
NETWORK > LANMode for ethernet configurationDHCP server
NETWORK > GSMWAN routerOn

LAN konnte Mode for ethernet configuration im WebUI selbst nicht finden.

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This will create a new network for the other Charge Controllers, with the Gateway Charge Controller acting as a router. All necessary parameters (such as the IP address) of the other Charge Controllers in the network will be assigned automatically by the DHCP server.

  1. At the bottom of the Configuration Interface, click , then click to apply the changes

The WAN Charge Controller acts as a DHCP server. The Charge Controller comes with the following default values:

Default value
IP address172.16.23.1
Subnet mask255.255.255.0
Gateway172.16.23.1
DNS172.16.23.1
IP address range set for the non-WAN Charge Controllers172.16.23.100 — 172.16.23.254
IP address range free for static assignment172.16.23.2 — 172.16.23.99

3.3. Configuring the remaining non-WAN Charge Controllers​

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As explained above, we advise against automatic configuration and recommend scenario 2: manual network configuration

  1. Repeat the following configuration for all non-WAN Charge Controllers:
Location in Configuration InterfaceParameterValue
BACKEND > ConnectionConnection TypeEthernet
NETWORK > LANMode for ethernet configurationAuto (DHCP Client)
NETWORK > GSMWAN routerOff
  1. At the bottom of the Configuration Interface, click , then click to apply the changes

4. Option 2: Manual network configuration.​

Here, the network parameters of the individual Charge Controllers are entered manually.

  • To avoid conflicts with the DHCP server, choose an IP address that is between 172.16.23.2 and 172.16.23.99
  • The Gateway and DNS server is the IP address of the DHCP server: 172.16.23.1

4.1. Configuring the WAN Charge Controller​

tip

Make sure to store the values you're changing for later reference, e.g., in an Excel sheet.

  1. Set up an Internet connection via GSM

  2. Apply the following configuration:

Location in Configuration InterfaceParameterValue
NETWORK > LANMode for ethernet configurationStatic
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration IP192.168.xxx.xxx (has to start with 192.168, the rest can be set freely)
NETWORK > GSMWAN routerOn
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration netmask255.255.255.0
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration gatewayleave blank
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration DNS192.168.17.1 (example)
  1. At the bottom of the Configuration Interface, click , then click to apply the changes

4.2. Configuring the non-WAN Charge Controllers​

tip

Make sure to store the info for each Charge Controller for later reference, e.g., in an Excel sheet.

Repeat these steps for each non-WAN Charge Controller:

  1. Apply the following configuration:

Location in Configuration InterfaceParameterValue
BACKEND > ConnectionConnection TypeEthernet
NETWORK > GSMWAN routerOff
NETWORK > LANMode for ethernet configurationStatic
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration IPThe network ID (first three number blocks) must be identical to the WAN Charge Controller.
The last number block can be freely set between 1 — 254.
The last number block must be unique among the Charge Controllers as it's the unique identifier in the network (host ID).
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration netmaskSame as the WAN Charge Controller
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration gatewayEnter the IP address of the WAN Charge Controller here
NETWORK > GSMStatic network configuration DNSSame as the WAN Charge Controller
  1. At the bottom of the Configuration Interface, click , then click to apply the changes

5. FAQ​

5.1. How many Charge Controllers can be connected to a WAN Charge Controller?​

Theoretically, a maximum of 253 Charge Controllers can be connected to one Gateway.