Connecting the Edge iNode Uplink Interface Through Mobile Broadband

Learn how to connect the Edge iNode uplink interface through mobile broadband.

Mobile broadband is currently supported on the following hardware platform and operator combinations:

• Lanner NCA-1510D with universal LTE modem, which supports AT&T and Verizon micro SIM
• ADLINK MXE-211 with SIMCom SIM7100A mobile broadband module and AT&T

The uplink interface for Ethernet or mobile broadband is selected during boot-up based on the following conditions:

This section describes:

• Connecting the interface
• Adding or removing a custom APN
• Switching the connection from mobile broadband back to Ethernet

Connecting the Interface

To connect to an Edge iNode uplink interface through mobile broadband, follow these steps:

1. Shut down the Edge iNode.
2. Remove the Ethernet cable if connected to network 1 Ethernet interface (eth0).
3. Make sure the SIM your provider issued is installed and the antennae connected.
4. Power on the Edge iNode.
5. On boot-up, the iNode connects automatically to the internet through mobile broadband.

To check the status of the mobile broadband connection, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the command show interface wwan to display the mobile broadband connection status:

If the mobile broadband connection is successful, the output of the command should have up in the STATE column and the IPV4 ADDRESS column should be populated.

You can get more detailed status using show interface wwan --verbose:

The SignalQuality in percent (0-100) under MODEM STATUS indicates the strength of the mobile signal.

Adding or Removing a Custom APN

To add a custom APN, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the set wwan command to enter the set wwan command prompt:
   ShellShell

   > set wwan
   (set wwan) >

3. Use the apn command with the following arguments to add a new APN value:
   ShellShell

   apn --operator-name <operator name> --operator-id <operator id> --name <apn name>

   For example:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > apn --operator-name OP1 --operator-id 123789 --name OPNET

   When a SIM is present, the --operator-name and --operator-id arguments are optional and their values will be read from the SIM. We recommend this method when you know the APN but aren’t sure about the operator ID/name.
   For example:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > apn --name OPNET

4. Use the save command to save the configuration:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > save

5. Use the show command to verify that the configured APN has been added:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > show

   Following is an example:
   

This command is unsupported on some iNodes, and will display the following message:

To remove a custom APN, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the unset wwan command to enter the unset wwan command prompt:
   ShellShell

   > unset wwan
   (unset wwan) >

3. Use show command to see the list of custom APNs:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > show

   
4. Use the apn command with the following arguments to remove the APN for a specific operator-name/operator-id:
   ShellShell

   apn --operator-name <operator name> --operator-id <operator id>

   For example:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > apn --operator-name OP1 --operator-id 123789

   Use the save command to save the configuration:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > save

5. Use the show command to verify that the configured APN has been removed:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > show

   Following is an example:
   

This command is unsupported on some iNodes, and will display the following message:

Enabling and Disabling the Mobile Broadband Interface

The mobile broadband interface is enabled by default and is connected when a SIM is inserted and the corresponding APN has been configured.

To disable mobile broadband interface, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the unset wwan command to enter the set wwan command prompt:
   ShellShell

   > unset wwan
   (unset wwan) >

3. Use the disable command to disable the mobile broadband interface:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > disable

4. Use the savecommand to save the configuration:
   ShellShell

   (unset wwan) > save

   For example:
   

After disabling the mobile broadband, see Switching the Uplink Interface to Ethernet to connect the edge iNode uplink through ethernet.

To enable mobile broadband interface, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the set wwan command to enter the set wwan command prompt:
   ShellShell

   > set wwan
   (set wwan) >

3. Use the enablecommand to enable the mobile broadband interface:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > enable

4. Use the savecommand to save the configuration:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > save

   For example:
   
5. After enabling the mobile broadband interface, reboot the iNode to connect to mobile broadband.

Resetting the Mobile Broadband Modem

Resetting the mobile broadband modem is required when a SIM card is replaced without powering off the iNode.

To reset the mobile broadband modem, follow these steps:

1. Use SSH to connect to the iNode. (Learn how in Accessing an Edge iNode Console Using the Command-Line Interface.)
2. Use the set wwan command to enter the set wwan command prompt:
   ShellShell

   > set wwan
   (set wwan) >

3. Use the modem-resetcommand to reset the mobile broadband interface:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > modem-reset
   Modem is being reset. Please wait...
   Operation successful. Please reboot the device to complete the process.

4. Use the exit command to exit the wwan command:
   ShellShell

   (set wwan) > exit
   >

5. Reboot the iNode for the mobile broadband to connect with the new SIM:
   ShellShell

   > reboot

   For example:
   

Switching the Uplink Interface to Ethernet

To switch the uplink interface back to Ethernet, follow these steps:

1. Shut down the Edge iNode and connect the Ethernet cable.
2. Power on the Edge iNode.

The uplink interface should now be Ethernet.