Introduction

This article provides detailed instructions for a successful connection to MachineMetrics through a wireless network, including an overview of the required hardware and the necessary prep work for your network and machines. 

Important! If you intend to connect your machines to MachineMetrics through a wireless network, please review this article in detail before attempting your integration. If you plan to integrate your machines via a wired or cellular network, please instead review the articles available for those specific network options. You can find all of our available networking articles here. 

Topics covered in this article

• Preparing Your Network
• Preparing Your Machines
• MachineMetrics Edge Hardware
• MachineMetrics Edge Software

Preparing Your Network

In order to prepare your network please first ensure you have the proper IT access to your network settings. 

Someone within your organization who is familiar with your machine controls should provide the following information for each machine you wish to integrate into your network:

• Static IP Address
• Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway
• (if applicable), DNS Servers.

Make sure that your network's firewall has outbound access to

• *.machinemetrics.com
• *.balena-cloud.io
• *.docker.com
• *.docker.io,
• *.resinio.pool.ntp.org.
• *.amazonaws.com

Outbound access should be over ports 443, 123, and 53.

You will need to conduct some form of wireless mapping to determine whether or not a strong Wi-Fi signal is reaching all of your machines. Ensure that your wireless network can support the number of new devices that will be added with the installation; if not, a subnet expansion will allow you to add more devices, or, if you prefer, you can create an alternative network.

Preparing Your Machines

In order to successfully connect to MachineMetrics through a wireless network, please first ensure that all machines you intend to connect to MachineMetrics are within the range of a sufficient Wifi signal. You can test your signal strength by using wireless mapping, or by using a cellphone that is connected to your wireless network already near one of your machines.

Note: Please test your phone with your cellular signal turned off. Otherwise, you might mistake the quality of your wireless reception for cellular reception. 

If you have a weak signal near a machine you wish to integrate, you may want to involve your IT department to assist in boosting your Wifi’s range, which will require sourcing either a new wireless router or a Wifi extender.

You will need to drill two ¼” holes in the electrical cabinet of each machine in order to accommodate the MachineMetrics Wireless Edge Device’s twin wireless antennae. These are used by the Edge Device to communicate with your network and will be required for a successful connection. 

Upon finalizing your contract with MachineMetrics, you should have been shipped a Wireless Edge Device For each machine you intend to connect wirelessly. Please ensure you have the proper number of Edge Devices to complete your integration.

If you appear to miss any Edge devices, please contact your customer success manager. 

MachineMetrics Edge Hardware