Wireless BB and Static IP with non standard hardware

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IsaacsBeard

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Wannabe Geek

#272783 15-Jul-2020 18:37

Hey all

I am helping a friend out with some networking setup and need some assistance regarding 4G/Wireless BB on spark with a Static IP.

He does work on PLC's for a living and we recently discussed remote access to his PLC's in the field via 4G, using something like an eWon Cosy or TRB140 as the gateway. Plan 1 was to get a 4g sim card on normal mobile data, use the gateway and then use a combo of Dynamic DNS + port forward so he could VNC to a domain name and get a connection to the HMI behind it but after a LOT of reading on these forums it seems like this wouldn't work due to CGNAT issues - is it true you cannot port forward through the normal mobile network in any way?

That leaves us with two options - some type of VPN (the devices can do OpenVPN Client or Server) but since I can't port forward I presume I cant run them as servers and connect as a client, I will need to treat them as clients and setup a VM as the server instead (more cost! he doesn't have a great VM platform as it is, would probably end up doing an azure instance) or Wireless Broadband connections with Static IP instead but we couldn't use the provided hardware (gear has to fit into a junction box so needs to be din rail style) which might cause problems if Wireless Broadband needs landline style authentication and obviously the cost goes through the roof when you are talking double or triple digit site numbers.

Am I out of luck? I saw this https://digitalisland.co.nz/mobile/enhanced-mobile-services/static-ip-address/ in google that looks like it could work but this inst really my area of expertise so I am hoping to find out before I give them a call.

Cheers

nztim

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TEAMnetwork

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#2523714 15-Jul-2020 19:01

paging @hio77

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

snnet

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#2523729 15-Jul-2020 19:50

You can obtain a static IP on 4g wireless broadband for $15/month

If there are many sites there will be a better solution but expect to be on a corporate plan for a private APN or similar

IsaacsBeard

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Wannabe Geek

#2523737 15-Jul-2020 20:05

Unfortunately the device I am looking at doesn't have the ability to specify an APN and I am worried the Wireless BB option with Static IP will require me to authenticate which again the hardware can't do. They are designed for field work

I think my only options if CGNAT is indeed the dealbreaker is to either have a cloud based VPN server or by some miracle find a provider that suits. The hardware does come with its own cloud manage system that can reach behind the gateway to LAN devices but only via HTTP/HTTPS and the HMI's I am connecting to only allow VNC access

Linux

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#2523741 15-Jul-2020 20:11

The static IP will be on the public APN not Corp APN

snnet

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#2523742 15-Jul-2020 20:11

Typically you have to use their wireless router anyway as the front facing equipment, so you'd have to DMZ the gear you have to Spark's provided modem which does support changing APN. This may be more open on a corporate plan.