In this article you will be guided through the steps of connecting your Debian or Debian-like system 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 Debian system, like an HMI or servo drive, take a look at the IXrouter instead of the IXagent.

• Prepare the Debian system
• Install the IXagent
• Register and activate the IXagent
• Update LAN settings
• Install the BACnet multiplexer
• What's next?

Prepare the Debian system

The Debian system needs to be prepared to use the IXagent.

1. Make sure that the Debian system has an internet connection.

Install the IXagent

Once the Debian system has an internet connection, you're ready to continue.

2. Contact your IXON account manager or IXON distributor and request the Debian IXagent package and an IXagent activation license.
3. Copy the IXagent package onto the Debian system and unzip it.
4. On the Debian system, open Terminal.
5. Go to the folder where the IXagent package was unzipped.
6. Run the following commands to install the IXagent. You will receive an error message after executing the first command. That message can be ignored, because the third command will fix the issue.

   sudo dpkg -i ixagent-*.deb 
   sudo apt-get update
   sudo apt-get install -f --fix-missing

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.

9. In the IXON Cloud, go to the Portal.
10. Open the account menu in the top right corner and copy the Company ID.
    
11. Go back to the Terminal on the Debian system.
12. 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.

13. In the IXON Cloud, go to Fleet Manager > Devices.
14. 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 Debian system will enable you to remotely connect to your Debian system using its local IP address.

15. Go to Fleet Manager > Devices and click on your device name.
16. In the left menu, go to Network > LAN.
17. Under Router LAN IP, enter the Debian system's local IP address.
    • Note that the IXagent does not function as a router. You can remotely only access the Debian system 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.

18. On the Debian system, open Terminal.
19. Go to the folder where the IXagent package was unzipped.
20. Run the following command to install the BACnet multiplexer service:

    sudo dpkg -i bacnet-service-*.deb

21. Enable the service:

    sudo systemctl enable bacnet-service

22. Start the service:

    sudo systemctl start bacnet-service

What's next?

The Debian system 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 ...