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HotPort 7000 Series Mesh Nodes
September 2010
This hardware installation guide describes how to install the Hot-
Port node safely. The HotPort is intended to be installed by trained
professionals. Be sure to read and understand all installation and
safety instructions before proceeding with the installation.
Staging Considerations
You should set up and test your nodes indoors, on a bench or
table, before installing them. This will allow you to pre-configure
the nodes so that they are all on the same RF channel, etc. You
will use HotView Pro to configure the HotPort nodes and create a
small mesh network. Test the network settings you plan to use.
1. Check to see that all nodes are visible in HotView Pro. If not,
troubleshoot per directions in the HotView Reference Guide.
Planning Your Installation
2. Set the Country Code for your country of operation.
3.
Re-verify that all nodes are visible, and ver-
ify that dual-radio nodes have both radios correctly
meshed.
Warning
: The staging antennas provided with Firetide
outdoor nodes are for temporary use only. They MUST be replaced
with outdoor-rated antennas as soon as the mesh is staged and
operational. The staging antennas are NOT waterproof and NOT
moisture resistant. If used outdoors, the antennas may fail.
Your CD has a copy of Firetide’s Accessory Guide. Contact your
Firetide Reseller for assistance in selecting and ordering outdoor
antennas suitable for your application(s).
Indoor Node Installation
Indoor node installation is straightforward. Firetide recommends
that you power up and configure all nodes on a table or bench
before deployment. Use HotView or HotView Pro to configure your
mesh. Place the unit on a table or shelf. Apply power. The power
LED should illuminate immediately; after about 60 to 90 seconds,
the status LED should switch to steady green.
Note the location of the reset button in the lower right corner of
the rear panel. To reset the unit, apply power and wait until the
unit has fully booted and the status light has come on. Then use
a paperclip to press and hold the reset button until the status LED
blinks.
Positioning Indoor Antennas
The Firetide-supplied antennas are rated for use in dry, indoor
environments. If the antenna is exposed to weather, moisture, or
high humidity, it may fail. Use an approved outdoor-rated antenna
instead.
MIMO technology takes advantage of signal reflections to improve
performance. Antenna orientation affects this. Firetide recom-
mends that you begin deployment with the antennas on each ra-
dio parallel and in the same plane as the node itself.
Depending on performance, you may wish to try other orienta-
tions.
Figure 1. Staging Antennas
Figure 2. HotPort Series 7010 Mesh Node - Front View
mesh radio 1
mesh radio 2
status
power
Figure 3. HotPort Series 7010 Mesh Node - Rear View
Figure 4. Power Supply
