Understanding how your Border Gateway will be powered and connected is a crucial part of early site planning. These decisions determine where the gateway can be installed and directly impact power reliability, connectivity, and the long-term stability of your deployment.
Why Power and Connectivity Matter in Planning
Border Gateways serve as the network’s link to the Silvanet Cloud. Each gateway requires both a stable power source and a reliable data connection.
Knowing these requirements before you begin your plan ensures accurate placement in the Silvanet Planning Tool and prevents adjustments later during deployment.
Power Options and Their Impact
Border Gateways can be powered by solar or Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Each option has specific planning implications:
Solar Power
Choose locations with consistent, unobstructed sunlight throughout the year.
Avoid areas prone to shading from vegetation, terrain, or nearby structures.
Ensure the mounting point allows correct panel orientation for your hemisphere (south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere, north-facing in the Southern Hemisphere).
PoE Power
Requires access to mains power and a fixed network cable connection.
Ideal for gateways located near buildings or permanent infrastructure.
The exact fixed location for power and cable routing must be determined before creating your plan in the Planning Tool.
Connectivity Options
Border Gateways connect to the Silvanet Cloud through one of the following methods:
Cellular (LTE-M / NB-IoT): Offers flexibility in location but requires sufficient network coverage.
LAN (Ethernet): Requires proximity to existing infrastructure, this connection point must be known and planned before selecting gateway positions.
When using cellular connectivity, coverage cannot be estimated within the Planning Tool. It should be verified using Telit or Telus roaming maps, or with your local provider if using your own LTE-M or NB-IoT SIM. An on-site connectivity test is recommended whenever coverage maps do not provide sufficient detail.
Integrating Power and Connectivity Into Your Site Plan
When planning your site:
✅ Define each Border Gateway’s intended power type (solar or PoE) before starting in the Planning Tool.
✅ If using PoE or LAN, confirm fixed access point geo locations
✅ Document connectivity assumptions to guide field teams during deployment.
Note: Clearly defining each gateway’s power and connectivity type during the planning stage helps prevent costly rework in the field and ensures a reliable, well-connected network from the start.
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