Border Gateways Installation Guide

Table of Contents

• Step-by-Step Installation
  • 1. Select and Install the Device
  • 2. Select Mounting Location
  • 3a. Border Gateway Generation 3 Installation
    • Mount to Trees
    • Mount to Metal/Wood Poles
  • 3b. Border Gateway Generation 2 Installation
    • Mount to metal/wood poles
    • Mount Border Gateways to trees
    • Solar panel for Gen2 Border Gateway
    • Mounting guidelines
    • Solar Panel Mounting steps
    • Connect Border Gateway Gen2 to Ethernet (PoE)
  • 4. Final Check

Silvanet Border Gateways serve as the central uplink in your LoRa mesh network. They bridge the connection between forest devices and the internet via LTE-M or Ethernet (Gen 3 only). Proper installation ensures stable performance and communication. This guide walks you through the full installation process, from mounting to network verification.

Before you begin make sure you have your plan "Set to Deploy" status with the Border Gateway

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Select and Install the Device

• Open the Silvanet Deployment App
• Select your Site
• Select the Border Gateway and Tap “Install Device”
• Use NFC or scan the QR code on the device to register it
• Choose Border Gateway, and follow on-screen steps to link it to your Deployment Packet

2. Select Mounting Location

Choose a spot with:

• Good line of sight to the sky (for LTE-M connection)
• Ideally clear surrounding for LoRa coverage
• Sturdy pole or wall for mounting

3a. Border Gateway Generation 3 Installation

Deployment Scenarios

The Gen 3 Border Gateway can be deployed using the supplied PoE (Power over Ethernet) to connect to a mains power supply. The solar panels must be connected to the Border Gateway.

The Gen 3 Border Gateway can also be deployed using solar panels only without use of the PoE.

1. Mount to Trees

  When mounting the Border Gateway to a tree, ensure the tree is stable, healthy, and unlikely to be removed.   It should withstand typical windstorms.

• Choose the mounting location: Select a position about 3 m above the forest floor. Secure the ladder to the tree with a safety strap, and have an assistant stabilize it.     

• Prepare the area: Clear branches and obstructions at the mounting height so the solar panels receives full sunlight. Remove a small patch of bark with an axe or chisel where holes will be drilled, this helps the gateway hang vertically.     

• Drill and secure the top brackets: Using the printed template (Mounting-brackets-spacing.pdf), drill two pilot holes 70 mm apart with a 6 mm bit, then enlarge them with a 10 mm wood bit to a depth of 6–7 cm. Hammer the treenails through the top loops of the brackets into these holes.     

• Drill and secure the bottom brackets: With the top brackets fixed, use them as a guide to drill the bottom holes to the correct depth. Hammer in the treenails to secure the bottom loops. Confirm the brackets are firmly attached and immovable.     

• Attach the devices: Clip the Border Gateway and solar panels onto the mounting brackets. Locks may be used to secure them.    

• Connect power: Attach the supplied cables from the solar panels to the Border Gateway. If available, Power over Ethernet (PoE) can be used by connecting a PoE injector to mains power.

  

2. Mount to Metal/Wood Poles

  If a 60 mm (2.3 inch) wooden or metal pole is available, the Border Gateway and   solar panels can be securely mounted using the provided U-Clamps.

• Attach U-Clamps: Position  the U-Clamps around the pole and through the mounting bracket. Hand-tighten the bolts to hold the bracket loosely in place.     

• Secure brackets: Adjust the mounting bracket to the desired height and orientation, then tighten the nuts with a 17 mm wrench. Do not overtighten, as this may damage the bracket.     

• Install solar panel brackets:Repeat the same steps for the solar panel brackets. Ensure the Border   Gateway faces the Silvanet Mesh Network and the solar panels are angled toward the sun (ideally aligned with noon sunlight).     
• Mount devices: Clip the Border Gateway and solar panels onto their brackets. Locks may be used to secure them.     

• Connect power: Attach the supplied cables from the solar panel to the Border Gateway. If available,  Power over Ethernet (PoE) can be used by connecting a PoE injector to mains power.to the mains.     

   

3b. Border Gateway Generation 2 Installation

Deployment Scenarios

The Gen 2 Border Gateway can be deployed using the supplied PoE (Power over Ethernet) to connect to a mains power supply. The solar panel must be connected to the Border Gateway.

The Gen 2 Border Gateway can also be powered using only the solar panel in deployments without access to a mains power supply.

Mount to metal/wood poles

• Mount the gateway: If using a 60 mm (2.3 inch) wooden or metal pole, loosely connect the provided U-Clamps to the Border Gateway, slide it onto the pole from the top (if possible), then tighten the nuts with a 17 mm wrench—firmly but without excessive force.
• Install antennas and solar panel: Attach the LoRa antenna to the top connector, LTE antenna to the bottom, and satellite antenna to the side. Mount the solar panel above the Border Gateway and connect an Ethernet cable to a router if required.
• Test connectivity: Run a connectivity test again to confirm the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet Cloud.

Mount Border Gateways to trees

If the Border Gateway is to be attached to a tree, ensure the tree is stable and unlikely to be cut.

• Select and prepare the mounting location: Choose a tree and secure the ladder with a safety strap, with an assistant stabilizing it. Find a spot about 3 m above the forest floor. Clear branches and obstructions so the solar panel gets good sunlight, and carefully remove a small patch of bark where the device will hang vertically.
• Drill and attach the top loops: Using a 10 mm wood drill bit, make two holes about 70 mm apart and 6–7 cm deep (pilot hole recommended). Hammer the treenails through the top loops of the Border Gateway into these holes.
• Drill and attach the bottom loops: Use the device’s lower holes as templates to drill the bottom pair of holes, then hammer the treenails through the loops to secure the device firmly to the tree.
• Install antennas and solar panel: Attach the LoRa, LTE, and satellite antennas to their designated connectors. Mount the solar panel above the Border Gateway and, if needed, connect an Ethernet cable from a router.
• Test connectivity: Run a connectivity test again to confirm the Border Gateway is connected to the Silvanet

Solar panel for gen2 Border Gateway

After installing the Border Gateway, attach the solar panel to the same pole or tree to provide a backup power supply.

Mounting guidelines

1. Mount on same tree or pole as Border Gateway: Ensure the solar panel is attached to the same tree or pole used for the Border Gateway.
2. Oriented towards sun at 12:00 noon (northern/southern hemisphere): Locate the deployment location towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon. This allows the solar panel to have maximum sunlight irradiation during daylight hours.
3. Protect cable from accidental damage: Ensure the solar panel cable is placed in such a way that it cannot be damaged by human or animal incidents.
4. Mount above Border Gateway: If the deployment location is a public area, the minimum height for both the Border Gateway and the solar panel should be at least 3m above the forest floor with the solar panel mounted above the Border Gateway. A higher deployment allows for better connections to Mesh Gateways.
5. Securely mount the solar panel to pole or tree: Ensure the solar panel is tightly connected to the tree or pole so that it cannot slip or turn during strong winds or other environmental actions.

Solar Panel Mounting steps: 

To mount solar panel to pole or tree:

1. Cut two equal lengths of provided garden wire, each being twice the circumference of the tree or pole.
2. With the solar panel is at ground level, insert garden wire through the holes.
3. Climb the ladder with the panel and place the solar panel on the opposite side of the tree or pole and pull it tight using the top wire, then twist the cable tight. Ensure the panel faces south towards where the sun would be at 12:00 noon.
4. Follow  the same procedure with the lower wire.
5. Twist the two ends of the cables together and bring the twisted cable within the back of the panel.
6. Ensure the solar panel is tight against the tree and pole and cannot move.

Connect Border Gateway Gen2 to Ethernet (PoE)

  If an Ethernet connection is available, use the PoE Injector to connect to a mains power supply. The Border Gateway provides a sealed RJ45 connector to attach   an Ethernet cable to the device.

1. Open the Ethernet connector by unscrewing the cap.

  2. Disassemble the Ethernet connector, including the end cap, sealing ring and housing.

    3. Lead the Ethernet cable through the end cap, sealing ring and housing. Connect the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet socket in the connector.   

    4. Reassemble the connector. Carefully seat the sealing rings in the housing without damaging the barbs, then screw the end cap on the housing and screw  the housing to the connector.   

    5. Connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the PoE and then connect an Ethernet cable (not supplied) from the PoE to an available router.Plug in the PoE to a mains power supply using the provided power cable.   

4. Final Check

Make sure:

• The BG is securely mounted
• The devices appear in the Site Management app

If you encounter any issues during installation or setup, please contact Support for assistance.