Shop Floor Network¶
Machine connectors, energy meters and operator screens need a network connection to send data to Busroot. You can use your site's own Wi-Fi, or a dedicated wireless network with 4G gateway routers that needs no connection to your IT network. Both options work equally well, and you can choose the one that suits your site.
Option 1: your site's Wi-Fi¶
The devices join your existing Wi-Fi network and send data to Busroot over the internet.
Requirements¶
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The Arduino Opta does not work on 5 GHz. If your site has only 5 GHz Wi-Fi, contact support.
- WPA2 with a pre-shared key (PSK).
- Signal strength of at least -80 dBm next to each machine. Check it before installation with a Wi-Fi analyser app on a phone, for example WiFi Analyzer (Android) or WiFiman (iOS).
- Outbound internet access on the ports in Hosts and ports.
What your IT team needs to know¶
- Firewall. Open the outbound ports in Hosts and ports. Your IT team records the firewall details on the installation work order (see Onboarding process).
- MAC address allowlisting. If your network only admits known devices, ask support for the MAC addresses of your devices.
- Device security. Machine connectors only transmit data. They have no interface that can be accessed, and each device has its own unique password.
Option 2: a dedicated wireless network with 4G gateway routers¶
Gateway routers create a separate wireless network for the Busroot devices and send the data to Busroot over the 4G mobile network. Nothing connects to your site network, so there is no IT configuration, firewall change or network cable on your side.
- Each router is supplied pre-configured, with a SIM fitted. It needs only a mains socket.
- One router covers a group of stations within about 30 metres with clear line of sight. Output Industries confirms how many routers you need, and where, from your station layout.
- Place each router high and central, for example on top of a cabinet or on a wall bracket at 2 to 3 metres. Don't put it inside a metal cabinet or behind racking full of metal stock.
- The router needs a usable mobile signal. Check the signal bars on a phone at the intended spot. If the signal is poor, a position near an outside wall, a window or a roof light usually solves it. If not, an external aerial can be supplied.
- Leave the router powered on permanently.
The Installation guide has the full placement and power details.
Cellular connection for a single device¶
Where one machine is out of range of both networks, an Arduino Opta can send its data over its own cellular expansion module. See Arduino Opta cellular connectivity.
Hosts and ports¶
This is the reference for every network connection Busroot devices make.
| Traffic | From | Destination | Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device signals (MQTT) | Machine connectors, energy meters | eu-west-2-1.busroot.com (18.135.102.39) or eu-west-2-2.busroot.com (3.9.14.134) |
1883 and 1885 |
| Busroot web app | Operator screens, displays and PCs | Your Busroot address (given when your account is set up) | 443 (HTTPS) |
You can restrict operator screens so that they can only reach your Busroot address on port 443.
Troubleshooting¶
If a device does not connect, check the following:
- The Wi-Fi SSID and password are correct. Watch for typing errors and autocorrect changes, especially capital letters.
- The last four digits of the device ID printed on the Opta match the device you expect.
- The network is 2.4 GHz, not 5 GHz.
- The network uses WPA2 with a pre-shared key.
- The signal strength next to the machine is better than -80 dBm.
- Whether your network needs MAC address allowlisting.
- Whether your firewall blocks port 1885. If it does, your IT team must open it.
The LED on the Opta shows what is wrong. See LED codes.
FAQs¶
How often do devices send data?¶
A machine connector sends one data packet every 5 seconds. Each packet is no more than 512 bytes.
Busroot records production, but slowly and inaccurately. Why?¶
This is usually weak Wi-Fi. When the signal is poor, Busroot does not receive the regular 5-second updates. It is not an access problem: an access problem blocks the signal completely. Check the signal strength next to the machine.
A station shows as purple in the Pulse Chart. What does that mean?¶
Purple means Busroot is not receiving data from the station. See the Pulse Chart FAQs.