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Raspberry PI OS IXagent

  • Updated
Supported hardware
Latest version Supported OS Supported protocols
for Live data, Historical data, and Alarming
0.1.15
(May 2022)		 Raspberry Pi OS 11 (Bullseye) (armhf)
(may also work on other Debian-like systems with systemd)		 BACnet/IP
Modbus
OPC-UA
Plain-text TCP

In this article you will be guided through the steps of connecting your Raspberry Pi directly to the IXON Cloud using the IXagent, without requiring additional hardware in the form of the IXrouter, allowing you to remotely access it as if you are on-site.

If you wish to remotely access more devices than just the Raspberry Pi, like an HMI or servo drive, take a look at the IXrouter instead of the IXagent.

Prepare the Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi needs to be prepared to use the IXagent.

  1. Make sure that the Raspberry Pi has an internet connection.

Install the IXagent

Once the Raspberry Pi has an internet connection, you're ready to continue.

  1. Contact your IXON account manager or IXON distributor and request the Raspberry Pi IXagent package and an IXagent activation license.
  2. On the Raspberry Pi, open Terminal.
  3. Run the following command to download the IXagent onto the Raspberry Pi. Replace DOWNLOADLINK with the IXagent package link: 
    wget DOWNLOADLINK
  4. Unzip the IXagent package. Replace FILENAME with the IXagent package file name: 
    unzip FILENAME
  5. Go to the folder where the IXagent package was unzipped.
  6. Install the IXagent and its dependencies: 
    sudo dpkg -i ixagent-*.deb mosquitto-*.deb openvpn-*.deb
  7. Enable the IXagent: 
    sudo systemctl enable ixagent
  8. Start the IXagent: 
    sudo systemctl start ixagent

Register and activate the IXagent

To access your machine remotely, you'll need to register and activate the IXagent.

  1. In the IXON Cloud, go to the Portal.
  2. Open the account menu in the top right corner and copy the Company ID.
    Account
  3. Go back to the Terminal on the Raspberry Pi.
  4. Run the following command to register the IXagent to the IXON Cloud. Replace COMPANY_ID with your company ID:
    ixagent-register.sh COMPANY_ID

The IXagent will now register to the IXON Cloud, where it needs to be activated.

  1. In the IXON Cloud, go to Fleet Manager > Devices.
  2. Click on the New device to activate it with your license code. If you do not yet have an IXagent license code, contact your IXON account manager or IXON distributor.
    IXagent_activation.png

Update LAN settings

Updating the online LAN settings to match the local IP address of the Raspberry Pi will enable you to remotely connect to your Raspberry Pi using its local IP address.

  1. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
  2. In the left menu, go to Network > LAN.
  3. Under Router LAN IP, enter the Raspberry Pi's local IP address.
    • Note that the IXagent does not function as a router. You can remotely only access the Raspberry Pi on which the IXagent is installed.

Install the BACnet multiplexer

If you are going to use Live data, Historical data, or Alarming with the BACnet/IP protocol, it is required to install the BACnet multiplexer service.

  1. On the Raspberry Pi, open Terminal.
  2. Go to the location where the IXagent package was unzipped.
  3. Run the following command to install the BACnet multiplexer service: 
    sudo dpkg -i bacnet-service-*.deb
  4. Enable the service: 
    sudo systemctl enable bacnet-service
  5. Start the service: 
    sudo systemctl start bacnet-service

What's next?

The Raspberry Pi is now set up and ready. You can: