NetBotz 700 Series | Wireless Network (Coordinator / Sensors)

Issue:
Process for how to setup and manage a wireless sensor network.

Product Line:
NetBotz Rack Monitor 700 Series
- NetBotz Rack Monitor 750 (NBRK0750)

Environment:
NetBotz Rack Monitor 700 Series
NetBotz Wireless Sensors

Resolution:

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Connecting the Wireless Sensor Network
The wireless sensor network is made of a host NetBotz appliance, a coordinator, routers, and end devices.

• The host appliance (700 series NetBotz Appliance) collects data from the wireless sensor network and generates alerts based on sensor readings.
• The coordinator is connected directly to the host appliance via USB.  It reports data from the sensors on the network and provides available firmware updates to the wireless network.  Each wireless sensors network must have only one coordinator, which is connected to a USB Type A port on the NetBotz Appliance.
• Routers extend the range of the wireless sensor network.  Routers pass information between themselves and the coordinator, and between the coordinator and end devices. Routers are optional.  In a data center environment where obstructions are common, routers are recommended if sensors are more than 50 feet from the coordinator.  Each router is powered by an AC-USB adapter, not directly connected to the NetBotz appliance.
• End devices monitor attached and internal sensors and send data back to the host appliance through the network.  End devices are powered by batteries.

INFO! A wireless network can have a total of 47 wireless end devices (Routers/Sensors). To fully disable wireless communications the coordinator can be physically removed.

The following devices can be configured on the wireless network:

Wireless Device	Part Number	Network role
USB Coordinator & Router	NBWC100U	Coordinator when connected to the appliance OR Router when powered by an AC-USB adapter
Wireless Temperature Sensor	NBWS100T	End Device
Wireless Temperature & Humidity Sensor	NBWS100H	End Device

IMPORTANT! Wireless sensors have a maximum, line-of-sight range of 30.5 m (100 ft).  In a data center environment where obstructions are common, a range of 15 m (50 ft) is typical.

The order in which you configure your wireless sensor network and apply power to your wireless devices is important:

1. Select the coordinator and routers: Choose the USB Coordinator & Router that will become the coordinator.  Note the extended address of the coordinator.  Choose one or more NBWC100Us to become routers.
2. Mount the sensors.  Choose the locations for the routers and end devices.  Do not power the routers or end devices at this time.
3. Power the coordinator first.  Connect one NBWC100U (USB Coordinator & Router) to a USB Type A port on the NetBotz appliance.
4. Power the routers: Connect each router to an AC-USB adapter, not the NetBotz appliance.
5. Power the end devices: To preserve battery life, do not power the end devices until after the coordinator and the routers are powered.
   HINT! If you have more than one sensor you are adding to the network, you may want to only turn ONE on at a time and configure the labels with the location information in the web interface.  If you enable more than one sensor, you will need to look physically on the sensor to see the extended address to properly label them.
6. Continue below to Configuring a Wireless Sensor Network.

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Configuring a Wireless Sensor Network

1. In the Web UI, go to the Wireless tab, and click ADD.
2. Select one of the following options:
   • Add Detected Sensors
     1. Select any automatically detected device, or use the Search field to find the MAC address for a specific end device.  You can enter a name for any selected device in the Name field.
     2. Click ADD to add all selected devices to the Wireless page, or click CANCEL to close the window.
   • Add Sensors Manually
     1. Click Choose File to navigate to a CSV file saved on your computer, or type the MAC address of the device in the MAC Address field.  You can enter a name for any selected device in the Name field. INFO! The CSV format for each device should be MAC address, optional name.
     2. Select Add another to add more than one device, or click Delete to remove a device.  You can enter the name or MAC address of a specific device in the Search field to highlight it.
     3. Click ADD to add all listed devices to the Wireless page, or click CANCEL to close the window.

Published for:APC Belgium