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
- Install the IXagent
- Register and activate the IXagent
- Update LAN settings
- Install the BACnet multiplexer
- What's next?
Prepare the Raspberry Pi
The Raspberry Pi needs to be prepared to use the IXagent.
- 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.
- Contact your IXON account manager or IXON distributor and request the Raspberry Pi IXagent package and an IXagent activation license.
- On the Raspberry Pi, open Terminal.
- Run the following command to download the IXagent onto the Raspberry Pi. Replace
DOWNLOADLINK
with the IXagent package link:wget DOWNLOADLINK
- Unzip the IXagent package. Replace
FILENAME
with the IXagent package file name:unzip FILENAME
- Go to the folder where the IXagent package was unzipped.
- Install the IXagent and its dependencies:
sudo dpkg -i ixagent-*.deb mosquitto-*.deb openvpn-*.deb
- Enable the IXagent:
sudo systemctl enable ixagent
- 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.
- In the IXON Cloud, go to the Portal.
- Open the account menu in the top right corner and copy the Company ID.
- Go back to the Terminal on the Raspberry Pi.
- 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.
- In the IXON Cloud, go to Fleet Manager > Devices.
- 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.
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.
- Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
- In the left menu, go to Network > LAN.
- 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.
- On the Raspberry Pi, open Terminal.
- Go to the location where the IXagent package was unzipped.
- Run the following command to install the BACnet multiplexer service:
sudo dpkg -i bacnet-service-*.deb
- Enable the service:
sudo systemctl enable bacnet-service
- Start the service:
sudo systemctl start bacnet-service
What's next?
The Raspberry Pi is now set up and ready. You can:
- Connect to your machine using VPN, for access as if you are on-site, or connect to your machine using VNC or HTTP for quicker and easier access.
- Download the mobile app for easy mobile access (Android, iOS).
- Configure what is visible in the Portal using custom Main pages, Device cards, or Device pages and even use custom translations.
- Configure what other users can see and do (User management explained) or invite colleagues or customers (Invite a new user).
- Customize your company branding with custom colors, logo, domain, and more (Configure your company identity).
- Add extra machine information with custom fields for a variety of uses.
- Start using machine data with Live data, Historical data, Alarming, or Reporting.
- Supported protocol(s) are listed at the start of this article.
- And much more ...