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Network configuration of optiMEAS devices – local networks, direct connection, LTE modem and access point

optiMEAS devices are configured using the optiCONTROL PC software. The connection can be established via a local Ethernet network or a direct point-to-point connection. If a cloud connection is available, over-the-air configuration via the integrated LTE modem is also possible.

Device Network Setup 1

 

Scenario 1: Device on a local network with a router and DHCP

In many installations, the device is integrated into an existing LAN in which a router/gateway also functions as a DHCP server (e.g. typical business or home routers).
The PC running optiCONTROL and the optiMEAS device are both connected to this router via a switch.

Enable DHCP on the device

  • DHCP can be enabled on the device so that it automatically obtains its IP address, subnet mask and gateway address from the router (DHCP server).
  • Once this data has been configured, a route to the internet is established, and the device can be accessed from any PC on the same local network using optiCONTROL. ​

Fixed IP addresses on the same subnet

  • Alternatively, a static IP address can be configured on the device.
  • It is important that the IP address, subnet mask and gateway belong to the same subnet as the router and PC (e.g. router 192.168.1.1, PC 192.168.1.10, device 192.168.1.20 with subnet 255.255.255.0).
  • The gateway address must point to the router for the internet connection to work.

Scenario 2: Device on the local network with a static IP address

If the device remains on the LAN but is not using DHCP, a static IP address within the router’s address range is assigned.
The PC can communicate with the device directly via TCP/IP using optiCONTROL, provided both are on the same subnet.

Typical procedure

  • Determine the router’s IP range (e.g. 192.168.0.x).
  • Select a free address for the device, e.g. 192.168.0.40, subnet mask 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.0.1.
  • Ensure that the PC’s network interface is also on the same subnet (e.g. 192.168.0.20).

Scenarios 3 and 4: Device on the LAN with the LTE modem enabled

optiMEAS devices have an integrated LTE modem and can therefore establish an internet connection independently.​​

The modem is configured via optiCONTROL (e.g. APN).

Routing‑behaviour

  • As soon as the modem is activated and successfully connected, the device defaults to using the LTE modem as the route to the internet.
  • The gateway connection via the local router is then deactivated for internet traffic; however, the local Ethernet connection for configuration remains possible, provided the IP addresses are on the same subnet.

Local access despite the modem

  • The PC can still access the device via Ethernet, e.g. for diagnostics or updates.
  • To do this, the device’s IP address on the LAN must be on the same subnet as the PC (see Scenario 1/2).

Finding devices even though they are on a different subnet

optiCONTROL can detect devices even if their IP address is on a different subnet to that of the PC.
To do this, optiCONTROL sends a UDP broadcast packet; all optiMEAS devices on the network respond with basic information.

Reconfiguration via UDP

  • These devices are displayed in the optiCONTROL device list, even though they would not (yet) be accessible via TCP/IP.
  • Using UDP communication, the device’s IP address, subnet mask and gateway can be adjusted to ‘bring it into’ the PC’s address range.
  • The optiCONTROL software provides a dedicated dialogue box for this purpose
    Thereafter, normal configuration via TCP/IP is possible again.

Device Network Setup 2

 Scenario 5: Direct Ethernet connection without a router

In many commissioning situations, the device is connected directly to a PC, without a router or switch.
The device is factory-set with a static IP address, e.g. 10.20.30.40 (subnet 255.255.255.0).

Setting the PC address

  • A USB-to-Ethernet adapter is often used, the IP address of which is manually set to the same subnet, e.g. 10.20.30.1 with subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
  • A gateway address is not required in this scenario, as no connection to the internet via this interface is needed.
  • Once this setting has been applied, optiCONTROL can establish a direct connection to the device and carry out the configuration.

Direct connection with modem enabled

  • If the LTE modem is also configured in the device, the device establishes its internet connection via the modem.
  • The point-to-point Ethernet connection to the PC remains available for configuration and diagnostics.

Szenario 6: Gerät als Access‑Point und Gateway

In an advanced configuration, the optiMEAS device can itself act as a network node.
It uses its LTE modem to access the internet and makes this connection available to other users.

Access‑Point‑Function

  • The device can act as an IP gateway for connected devices that are linked via Ethernet or Wi-Fi (using a Wi-Fi dongle connected to the device).
  • These devices are assigned IP addresses from a defined range and use the optiMEAS device as a gateway to the internet.
  • At the same time, access via optiCONTROL remains possible for configuring the device and the connected devices.​

8. Quick checklist for practical use

  • Check whether a router with DHCP is available; if so, enable DHCP on the device or select a suitable static IP address.
  • Ensure that the PC and the device are on the same subnet if direct or local configuration via optiCONTROL is to be carried out.
  • If the LTE modem is enabled, note that internet traffic routes via the modem, but local configuration is still possible via Ethernet.
  • When commissioning the device for the first time without a router, use the device’s factory IP address (e.g. 10.20.30.40) and configure the PC interface accordingly.
  • If the address range is incorrect, use optiCONTROL to locate the device via a UDP broadcast and adjust its IP configuration.