🛠 Initial Setup of KNOT Gateway HL9

Objectives

This tutorial guides the system administrator through the initial deployment of the KNOT Gateway HL9. It covers physical mounting compliant with IP66 standards, secure power supply via PoE or DC, and basic network configuration to establish LTE or Ethernet connectivity. The goal is to make the gateway operational for outdoor asset tracking.

Required Materials

• KNOT Gateway HL9
• PoE switch or injector compatible with 802.3af/at (18-57V)
• Cat5e or higher Ethernet cable
• Nano SIM card (physical) or activated eSIM profile
• PC with WinBox or SSH access
• Sealing tools if mounting in humid environments

Steps

1. Power Preparation: Ensure your power source meets specifications (PoE 802.3af/at or DC 12-57V). Max consumption is 7W. For outdoor installations, prefer PoE to simplify cabling.
2. SIM Insertion: Open the sealed compartment. Insert the Quectel EG800Q nano-SIM or configure the eSIM profile. Close the cover, ensuring the O-ring is properly seated to maintain IP66 certification.
3. Physical Connection: Plug the Ethernet cable into the RJ45 port. Connect the other end to your PoE switch or injector. Wait 30 seconds for LTE modem and Wi-Fi HaLow initialization.
4. RouterOS Access: By default, the IP address is often 192.168.88.1. Use WinBox or ssh admin@192.168.88.1. The default password may be empty or specified in the batch documentation.
5. WAN Interface Configuration: Access Interfaces. Activate the LTE interface. Configure your operator's APN in PPP > APN. For eSIM, verify the profile is active via the LTE menu.
6. Initial Security: Change the admin password immediately. Disable unnecessary services (Telnet, FTP) via IP > Services to harden the IoT gateway security.

Verification

Verify connectivity by running ping 8.8.8.8 from the RouterOS terminal. Ensure the LTE interface shows a "Connected" status and an acceptable RSRP signal. Check that the Ethernet port is in "Running" mode and the IP address is correctly assigned.

Going Further

Configure the GNSS for position tracking and enable the MQTT service to transmit Bluetooth LE sensor data to a cloud server.