Silvanet Border Gateways provide the primary connection between your Silvanet site and the Silvanet Cloud, making them a foundational component of every Silvanet deployment. Correct installation is essential to ensure reliable connectivity, accurate data transmission, and overall system performance.
This article highlights the most common Border Gateway installation mistakes observed during deployments and explain why avoiding them is critical for a stable and fully operational Silvanet network.
🚫 Not Following the Silvanet Deployment App Instructions
What happens:
Skipping or ignoring the steps in the Silvanet Deployment App can result in incorrect placement, incomplete setup, or missed configuration requirements. This often leads to poor connectivity or the need for reinstallation.
Correct practice:
Always follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the Silvanet Deployment App during planning, installation, and verification.
🚫 Not Completing the Connectivity Test Properly
What happens:
An incomplete or incorrectly performed connectivity test may give a false sense of readiness. Issues may only become apparent after sensors are installed, causing delays and additional site visits.
Correct practice:
Ensure the connectivity test is fully completed and passes successfully before finalizing the installation. Please see our article What is a connectivity test and how does it work? for full details.
🚫 Installing in a Different Location Than Planned
What happens:
Installing the Border Gateway in a location that differs from the planned and approved location in the Silvanet Deployment App can lead to poor coverage, failed connectivity tests, or gaps in sensor communication. Even small changes in height or distance can significantly impact network performance.
Correct practice:
Always install the Border Gateway at the location defined during planning. If the planned location is not viable on-site, update the deployment plan and revalidate connectivity before proceeding with installation.
More information here: What Happens If There Are No Trees to Install My Sensors on at the Planned Locations?
🚫 Installing on Unstable Tress or Poles
What happens:
Mounting Border Gateways on unstable trees or poles can lead to device movement or antenna misalignment, resulting in degraded signal quality, intermittent connectivity, or complete device failure if the gateway becomes dislodged or falls.
Correct practice:
Install Border Gateways only on healthy, strong, and stable trees or mounting structures that can reliably support long-term deployment and maintain consistent device orientation.
🚫 Installing Horizontally or Upside Down
What happens:
Incorrect orientation significantly reduces antenna performance and limits coverage area.
Correct practice:
Always install the Border Gateway in an upright, vertical position, as shown in the installation guidelines.
🚫 Deploying with a Disconnected or Unsecured Solar Panel
What happens:
A disconnected or loosely secured solar panel can cause power instability, charging issues, or complete device shutdown, preventing the Border Gateway from operating reliably.
Correct practice:
Always connect and securely fasten the solar panel to ensure consistent power and long-term operation of the Border Gateway.
🚫 Installing in Obstructed Locations
What happens:
Trees, terrain, buildings, or other obstacles can block the signal, preventing sensors from reliably connecting to the Border Gateway.
Correct practice:
Obstructions that are not visible or accounted for during planning, such as rock formations, buildings, or other man-made structures, can block or weaken wireless signals, preventing Mesh Gateways and sensors from reliably connecting to the Border Gateway.
🚫 Placing the Gateway Too Close to the Ground
What happens:
Mounting the Border Gateway below the recommended height of 3 m reduces coverage range, increases susceptibility to interference, and can disrupt the accuracy of the site plan, as the Planning Tool is designed around gateways installed at a minimum height of 3 m.
Correct practice:
Install the Border Gateway at a minimum height of 3 m to ensure optimal coverage, reliable connectivity, and proper alignment with the site plan.
For detailed step-by-step instructions, check the installation guide here:
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