ConnectOS v5 - EoS
End of Support: Technical support for this ConnectOS version has been discontinued and security updates will no longer be provided.
Available features
The following documentation provides an overview of the available features. Depending on the hardware used (HOOC gateway model), not all functions are available.
| Feature | X | XM | XF | XH | XT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile Network | |||||
| WAN (Port 1) | |||||
| WiFi Client | |||||
| Routing | |||||
| LAN | |||||
| WiFi Access Point | |||||
| Secure Remote Access (VPN) | |||||
| I/O’s | |||||
| Modbus RTU | |||||
| USB | |||||
| LoRaWAN | |||||
| Security | |||||
| Extended |
Mobile network
General settings
In the general settings, the mobile data connection can be switched on or off.
APN settings
If APN auto-configuration is enabled, the ConnectOS uses the APN configuration of the SIM card. If the corresponding parameters are not available, or a specific APN configuration should be used the corresponding settings can be made here.
Advanced settings
If the inserted SIM card requires a PIN, it is possible to store a PIN code using the Unlock SIM action. If the SIM card is successfully unlocked, the PIN code entered is saved. A stored SIM PIN can be removed with the action Disable SIM PIN.
Specific applications such as near-border operation of the device (roaming) require the mobile network provider to be fixed. This ensures that the device can only connect to the specified provider.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current state of the mobile network.
WAN
General settings
In the general settings, the mobile data connection can be switched on or off.
The WAN interface can be activated or deactivated in the general settings. If the WAN interface is disabled, the Ethernet port 1 is automatically assigned to the LAN network.
IP addressing
The Ethernet port 1 is defined as WAN port at delivery and obtains an an IP address via DHCP. If required, this IP address can be configured statically. The correctness of the entered parameters is not checked.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current state of the WAN interface.
WiFi client
General settings
The WiFi can be used in either WiFi Client or in WiFI Access Point mode.
WiFi client settings
The WiFi client can be activated or deactivated in the WiFi client settings, provided that the WiFi client mode has been selected. When WiFi Client is activated, the specific parameters such as SSID and password, to which WiFi network the WiFi Client should connect, can be set.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current state of the WiFi client.
Routing
General routing settings
The priority for Internet access can be set in the general routing settings. Disconnected network interfaces are ignored.
This setting does not provide a general failover functionality. It exclusively controls the priority of the Internet access.
Internet access from LAN
The settings “Internet access from LAN “ allow to permit or block connections from devices in the LAN network to the Internet.
Port forwardings
If access to an end device in the LAN network from the WAN network is required, port forwardings can be set up.
Port forwardings should be used with caution, as they represent a potential point to attack the LAN network.
LAN
The Ethernet ports 2 to 4 are available as LAN ports. The VPN uplink (SERA) is connected to all LAN ports.
IP addressing / DHCP server
The IP addressing can be configured statically or dynamically (DHCP). The DHCP server functionality is only available with the static configuration, provided that all interfaces for Internet access are disabled.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current state of the LAN ports.
WiFi access point
General settings
The WiFi can be used in either WiFi Client or in WiFI Access Point mode.
WiFi client settings
In the WiFi access point settings, the WiFi access point can be activated or deactivated, provided that the WiFi access point mode has been selected. When WiFi Access Point is activated, the specific parameters such as SSID, password and radio channel can be set. It is also possible to hide the SSID.
SERA (VPN Uplink)
General settings
The VPN uplink can be enabled or disabled. Furthermore, it is possible to enable the VPN uplink via a digital input of the device. The watchdog monitors the VPN uplink and restarts the device after 4 hours in case of an error.
Advanced settings
If the VPN uplink is to be terminated on customer-specific servers, the corresponding keys must be stored in the *Dedicated VPN servers” option.
Failover
If the failover option is enabled, the VPN uplink is established via the mobile network if the primary Internet connection fails. The check is performed using DNS resolutions. This functionality is only available for devices with mobile network support.
Internet traffic from devices on the LAN network is NOT forwarded via the alternative connection type (mobile network).
Typisches Szenario
- device boots up and the VPN uplink connects to the HOOC Cloud via primary internet connection.
- The primary internet connection fails.
- after about 3 minutes, the device switches to the alternative connection type mobile network.
- the VPN uplink connects to the HOOC Cloud via the mobile network
- The primary Internet connection is operational again
- after about 3 minutes, the connection switches back to the primary Internet connection type
- the VPN uplink is disconnected and reconnects
The failover status is transmitted via MQTT so that the current status can be notified via the HOOC Cloud.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current state of the VPN uplink.
I/O
Digital outputs
The values of the output channels can also be manipulated locally in the ConnectOS frontend. The corresponding option is available for each channel.
If this option is activated, the output value can be changed in the ConnectOS in the status overview (main page).
MQTT communication
For communication to the IO’s and further status information MQTT is offered as interface. The device is preconfigured in such a way that data exchange can take place directly with the HOOC Cloud (Secure Remote Control service). The following topics are available:
| Topics | Beschreibung |
|---|---|
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/input:0 | State of digital input DI1 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/input:1 | State of digital input DI2 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/output:0 | State of digital output DI1 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/output:1 | State of digital output DI2 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/output:0/write | Write digital output DI1 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/output:1/write | Write digital output DI2 |
| hgu/[serial-hooc-gateway]/io/sera:failover | State of VPN uplink failover |
If the Local outputs writable option is disabled, the #/write topics cannot be used. The placeholder [serial-hooc-gateway] is to be replaced with the serial number of the hooc gateway.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current status of the IOs.
Modbus
The communication settings for the RS485 bus can be configured individually. The configuration depends on the devices connected to the bus.
Modbus-TCP - Modbus-RTU Converter
The ConnectOS offers a Modbus TCP to Modbus RTU converter. The functionality can be activated or deactivated. The converter operates as follows:
- Modbus TCP: The ConnectOS operates as Modbus Server
- Modbus RTU: The ConnectOS operates as Modbus Client
The ConnectOS provides further parameters for the configuration of the Modbus-TCP-Client part.
Modbus-RTU - Modbus-TCP-Server Forwarder
The Modbus-RTU - Modbus-TCP-Server forwarder of the ConnectOS offers the possibility to forward Modbus data:
- In the configured polling interval, entries in Definitions Modbus RTU -> Modbus TCP server are polled on the Modbus RTU bus. On value change, the new value is written to the configured address of the defined Modbus TCP server.
- Entries in Definitions Modbus TCP server -> Modbus RTU are polled on the Modbus TCP server at the configured polling interval. Value changes are written to the configured address of the Modbus RTU device.
- Value changes are transmitted at a minimum interval of 15 seconds.
The ConnectOS provides a counter for external connection monitoring. The value increments according to the Poll interval Modbus TCP server and is written to the configured address of the Modbus TCP server.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current status of the Modbus RTU interface.
USB
The power supply of the USB interface can be switched on or off. Furthermore, this interface has no function.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the current status of the USB interface.
LoRaWAN
The integrated LoRaWAN module is based on the Semtec SX1301 chipset. It enables a LoRaWAN connectivity to the HOOC solution (Secure Remote Control Dienst).The devices are delivered pre-configured accordingly. The LoRaWAN functionality can be switched on and off.
The antenna gain must be set depending on the antenna used. For example, when using a +6dBi antenna the value 6 must be entered. Further information can be found in the operating instructions.
When the Watchdog option is switched on, LoRaWAN activity is monitored. If the device does not receive a LoRaWAN packet for more than 4h, the device will be restarted.
Status information
For information and troubleshooting purposes, the status information provides an overview of the LoRaWAN’s current state.
Security
General settings
When deactivating the ‘Reset button’ enabled setting, the configuration mode can no longer be activated using the reset button.
When the ‘WiFi button’ enabled setting is deactivated, the WiFi access point can no longer be enabled or disabled using the WiFi button.
mDNS Settings
By activating the option Announce HOOC Cloud services, service-related information can be can be announced via mDNS, depending on the configuration of the HOOC Cloud.
If the option Announce on WAN is enabled, the information is also announced via Ethernet port 1 and via the WiFi Client.
Extended
Rest
Clicking the Reset entry resets the device to factory settings. All configuration changes are discarded.
Update firmware
We recommend to regularly update the firmware. You can download it from the HOOC ManagementPortal. Go to the corresponding site, then HOOC Gateway -> Configuration.
Please always follow the instructions in the configuration tool and make sure that the power supply is not interrupted during the upgrade process!
Import / export configuration
The device configuration (excl. SIM pin code) can be exported and imported in another device of the same type.
Reboot
The device can be rebooted by clicking on the Reboot element without interrupting the power supply.