This article describes how to set up Sierra Wireless AirLink RV50 device to work with Ignition SMS Notification module. In such a setup, the purpose of AirLink RV50  is to send and receive SMS messages. Essentially, it is going to be utilized as an SMS gateway. 

Example scenario:

• Ignition picks up information from a PLC that the water temperature is too hot. 
• Ignition sends an SMS message via AirLink RV50 to contacts assigned to that alarm. 
• The message is received and subsequently acknowledged by a contact via SMS.
• The acknowledgement SMS message is sent back and received by Ignition via the AirLink device.

General Notes

AirLink RV50 and Network Security 

The security settings covered here are basic steps to secure the AirLink RV50. Inductive Automation is not responsible for the security of your AirLink RV50. You should take the time to configure and test the current and other security measures as appropriate to your network.

Inductive Automation tested this router as a device that sits inside a network. Therefore, it needs to be configured to act simply as another device on the network, not as a router or DHCP Server, etc. In the tested configuration, AirLink’s sole purpose is to handle SMS traffic. 

Configuration and ACEmanager 

To access the modem’s configuration information and be able to change it, you will be accessing what is called the ACEmanager, which can be accessed via Ethernet, USB or Serial connection. This document will only cover Ethernet access. The recommended browser to use is IE or Firefox; using the Chrome browser has been known to result in unexpected behavior. 

Setup Steps 

The sections below should be followed in the order listed to setup the AirLink RV50. Note that any change that is made usually requires a reboot of the router/modem, which can be done through the ACEmanager. Follow the instructions below, and reboot at the end. 

1. Configure default Ethernet connection 

First connect the RV50 directly to your computer and follow the instructions in the AirLink RV50 manual to connect to the device. Default Ethernet settings for access are as follows:

Device IP Address: 192.168.13.31 
Port: 9191
Username: user
Password: 12345

This should be as simple as changing your computer’s LAN settings to DHCP, then connecting to the AirLink’s ACEmanager using a Web browser pointed to the URL of http://192.168.13.31:9191.

2. Update the firmware

Check if the your AirLink’s firmware is up-to-date. 

Check the firmware version of your AirlLink RV50. You can see the ALEOS version shown at the very bottom of the page: 

Alternatively, you can check the firmware version by clicking the “Software and Firmware" button in the top horizontal menu, or on the Status / About page of the ACE Manager (see the “ALEOS Software Version” property).

Check the most recent firmware version available from Sierra Wireless

Go to the Sierra Wireless AirLink RV50 Firmware Packages page and check if the firmware installed is the same version as the newest RV50 ALEOS firmware available. As of this writing, the current version is RV50 ALEOS 4.9.0. If the firmware on your AirLink RV50 is not the latest version, download the newest firmware.

Update the firmware 

With the firmware downloaded, follow these instructions to install it: 

1. Click the "Software and Firmware" button in the top menu of the ACEmanager.
   A popup window will open.  
2. Browse to the firmware file downloaded in previous section, select the file, and click the "Update" button. The update runs automatically.

The Airlink RV50 user manual also covers how to upgrade the firmware easily.

3. Set up the AirLink to be on a network 

The ACEmanager will be accessed to change the LAN and other settings so enable it to be accessed via an existing network. After the firmware upgrade, you should still be able to access it via the default Ethernet settings. 

LAN > Ethernet settings

Go to the LAN tab, Ethernet option, and change the following: 

• Device IP: your IP address
• Starting IP: your IP address + 1 on the last octet. 
  The last octet must be set to a number greater than what the Device IP is set to.
• Ending IP: your IP address + X on the last octet. 
  If DHCP Server Mode is disabled, setting this should not matter; however, set it to the Device IP or higher. 
• DHCP network mask: 255.255.0.0 or 255.255.255.0 depending on your network.
• DHCP Server Mode: disable 
  Airlink RV50 has a built-in DHCP Server. This must be disabled. If it is not, it may cause network issues, creating conflicts on existing IP addresses already assigned. 

The following is a screenshot example of the default LAN settings Inductive Automation is using. You should adjust these as appropriate to you network.

LAN > Host Port Routing

After the LAN / Ethernet setup is completed, proceed to the Host Port Routing section under the LAN Tab. 

The router must be set to NOT act as the gateway on the network. 

• Primary Gateway: Disabled 
  Failure to make the above setting may cause devices on the network to cease functioning. 
• Host network subnet mask 2: 255.255.255.0 
• Host network subnet mask 3: 255.255.255.0 

 

4. Disable ACEManager “Over-The-Air”

By default the ACEmanager can be accessed “over-the-air”. The configuration recommended by Inductive Automation suggests this should be disabled for added security in order to prevent external access to the device via the cellular network.

Services > ACEmanager

Go to the Services tab, choose the “ACEmanager” option, and set the Remote Access property to “Disabled”

 

5. Configure SSH Interface

The configuration recommended by Inductive Automation suggests SSH in preference to Telnet.

To SSH into the router from systems that do not have built-in SSH functionality (for example, from Windows systems), use PuTTY or some other SSH Client. See Ethernet section for IP and login credentials.

Services > Telnet / SSH

Make the following changes in the Telnet/SSH section of the Services tab:

• Remote Login Server Mode: SSH
• Default Telnet User: None

 

6. Configure SMS settings

In order to send SMS, it must be enabled. 

Services > SMS

Go to the Services tab, SMS section and set the following:

• SMS Mode: Control and Gateway
• ALEOS Command Password: 12345 
• Local Host IP: IP address of the Ignition Server. 
• Local Host Port: 17342 
• ALEOS Port: 17341

 

7. Configure Port Filtering and Outbound Ports 

Port filtering is used to prevent outbound HTTP and HTTPS traffic over the air from the Airlink RV50.

Security > Port Filtering - Outbound

Go to the Security tab, Port Filtering - Outbound section, and set the following:

• Outbound Port Filtering Mode: Blocked 
• Ports Filtered Ports: 
• Start Port 80 and End Port 0 
• Start Port 443 and End Port 0

 

8. (Optional) Set trusted inbound and outbound IP addresses

Using the ACEmanager, you can set certain static IP addresses as trusted for both inbound and outbound traffic for the modem. If this AirLink will be put inside a network, this option should be considered. Below are the properties to consider, and their functionality as per the device manual:

• Trusted IPs Inbound property restricts access to the modem and all LAN connected devices. You would use the Public IP Address that someone would be accessing Airlink RV50 over the air. 
• Trusted IPs Outbound property restrict access to external networks to IPs in the list.

9. Reboot the device

At this point in the setup, reboot the device. After the reboot, you should also be able to access it via the web interface ACEmanager. 

 

Using AirLink RV50 and Additional Information

Test Sending & Receiving SMS Messages

Test sending SMS messages 

Login to the Airlink RV50 via SSH and use the following basic command to send a test message: 

at*smsm2m="1XXXXXXXXXX This is SMS test message."

Test receiving SMS messages

To see if the Airlink RV50 is receiving text messages, send one to it. Then, go to the ACEmanager, switch to the Services tab, SMS section, and check the Last Incoming Phone Number and Last Incoming Message field. You should see the sender’s number and the message sent. Press Refresh if you do not see them immediately.

 

Troubleshooting Notes

To reset your device back to factory defaults, go to the Admin - Advanced tab and hit the Reset to Factory Default button. The recommended Web browser for  this operation is Microsoft Internet Explorer. This operation has been known not to work as expected when Firefox or Google Chrome are used. If you are having trouble resetting from the Web interface, hold down the reset button on the device for 45 to 60 seconds. You will see the 4 lights flash sequentially. When the device is resetting, all four lights flash yellow then red and then turn green for about a minute before it boots up again.