Appendix A: Internet access for the MR
We often talk about the MR having an Internet access on this manual, so let's clarify this point a
little bit.
First, why should the MR have an Internet access? Well, there are various reasons:
some services, like the NTP time synchronization, the connection to the SCS cloud
software or the FTP synchronization, can't work without that.
if the MR is out in the field (so basically, when you're not configuring but using it), you
can't reach it from your office unless the MR has Internet access.
Now, how to have Internet access? If you read carefully the previous sections, you noticed that
there are two ways to achieve that:
through the Ethernet interface.
through the radio packet service of the mobile GSM / UMTS network (GPRS/EDGE, or
HSPA)
You also remember that you can't use these two modes together (see the note in chapter 4.3.5).
How to test if the MR can access the Internet? There is a ping button in the WebUI (see chapter
4.3.12). A ping is basically a request sent to a Web site, to check if it's available. It's a common way
to see whether you can reach Internet: if you can ping a Web site, you're connected to Internet.
Now, what does really mean “having an Internet access”? That's a little bit more complicated than
the expected. When a MR accesses the Internet, it's a little bit like if it was in a bubble: the LAN (or
Local Area Network). From this bubble, the MR can reach the outside world (Internet) and e.g.
push data to the FTP server, but you can't reach the MR from the outside world. We don't want to
enter into thorough explanations about the WHY you can't reach it. It's a question of IP addresses,
deep understanding of what is a LAN, and other technical details that are not subject of this
manual.
To reach the MR from the outside world you additionally need a software that will allow you to
communicate with the MR. OpenVPN is such a software, and Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is another,
both are implemented as services in the MR.
Let's discuss three possible scenarios:
1. You use an existing DSL or Cable-TV router in a private house. Typically such a router offers the
following features:
share a single Internet connection (i.e. a single public and in most cases dynamic IP
address) to different devices connected via Ethernet cable and/or Wi-Fi connection.
DHCP server to automatically configure the network settings of the attached devices – we
assume DHCP is active.
Result:
•
FTP push service and the NTP service work nicely, but you can not reach the MR to
change parameters. By activating the OpenVPN service, access form the outside world is
possible without any additional settings. To make use of DDNS you have to change the
settings of the router (activate port-forwarding).
•
The SCS cloud software allows to both collect all the data coming from many MR3000 and
to remotely change parameters on the devices.
MR3000CMR3000C_TR_v2.0_rev1.odt
subject to technical change without notice
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