Tag: cloud manager

How to Register for Sierra Wireless AirLink Management Service (ALMS)

Similar to other router manufacturers, Sierra Wireless provides a cloud management solution called AirLink Management Service, or ALMS for short. Configure, monitor, and track all your devices in one location. Before you can begin utilizing ALMS for your device, there’s a few steps you need to take, regardless of whether you have an existing account or not. Of course, if you’re a new Sierra Wireless user, you may not know the process of setting up a new ALMS account and registering your device(s). In an effort to make this easier for customers, we’re going to review the process in this blog. 

How Do I Create a New ALMS Account?

Start by going to https://www.sierrawireless.com/complete/register/ and select New ALMS Account. 

You’ll then be prompted to select your Location.

Review the details on what’s required to create an account. Click Continue at the bottom when you’re ready, then click Sign Up at the following page.

The next page will be a form you’ll need to fill out to create your user account. Enter your email address, a unique password, your first and last name, and company, if applicable. Lastly, check the boxes if you would like to allow Sierra Wireless to use your personal data for marketing profiling, and if you’d like to receive future communications from Sierra Wireless. 

Note that by signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use so be sure to read this before proceeding. You also agree that you are informed that your personal data is processed in accordance with the User Information Notice. You may also review this before proceeding. 

Click Sign Up when you’re ready. 

Shortly after you sign up here, you will receive an email confirmation. Click the “Sign Up Account” button in this email to continue the account setup. Note that the link will expire in 24 hours. 

This should take you to a Sierra Wireless page confirming that an account has been created. You will now be redirected to the ALMS login page where you will enter the email address and password you entered earlier. The next screen will have you confirm your signup request. Fill in the required information and then click the “Confirm Sign Up” button at the bottom of the page. 

At this time, should you be interested in connectivity, you’ll be prompted to add your billing information. Click “Finish” next and the page should show that it is “Finishing Up.” After a moment, you should be logged into your ALMS account and be taken to the Dashboard page.

Where is My Account UID?

Now that you’re logged into your newly created account, you’ll need to access the unique identifier (UID) assigned to it from Sierra Wireless. Click on the three horizontal lines at the top right and select “My Account.” On the next page, click “Administration” at the top. Provide this text string to your Sierra partner and they’ll complete the account setup process.

What Do I Need to Register My Sierra Wireless Device in ALMS?

At this point, you just need to register your hardware. Go to the “register” tab and fill in the required information, which you can obtain from the bottom label of your device. 

ALMS supports both current generation and legacy AirLink gateways and routers. For current generation hardware you will need the device’s serial number (for ES, GX, LS) or serial number and IMEI (in the case of the ES450, GX450, MP70, RV50/RV50X, RV55, LX60 and LX40). For XR Series routers and other devices running AirLink OS, you will need the device’s serial number and registration code. This information is printed and bar coded on the device label. ALEOS devices (ES, GX, LS, RV, MP and LX) also display this information in ACEmanager. 

For legacy devices (Raven, PinPoint and MP with ALEOS 4.0.8 firmware or newer) you will need the ESN or IMEI. They are printed and bar coded on the bottom label and displayed in ACEmanager.

For more information about how to configure your gateway to use ALMS, please refer to the dedicated Gateway configuration page.

Also check out our video instructions below.

Need more assistance? Contact the 5Gstore team Monday through Friday.

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How Digi Remote Manager Ensures Efficient IoT Device Management

The number of IoT devices has been increasing. As the technology evolves, it challenges businesses to adapt and maintain efficiency in their networks. However, managing these devices effectively and securely requires quite a bit of work. What are businesses to do if they cannot rely on a team of IT professionals? This is where Digi Remote Manager (Digi RM) can be of assistance. As a cloud management service, it’s supplying businesses with the tools they need to configure, deploy and manage assets securely.

What Is IoT Device Monitoring?

IoT device monitoring is the cornerstone of efficient IoT management. It enables businesses to monitor vast numbers of deployed IoT devices and analyze billions of data points. This proactive approach serves two critical purposes: deriving actionable insights from devices and processes and ensuring the devices function seamlessly. With IoT monitoring, organizations can scale their deployments confidently, knowing they can track every device, monitor performance, receive security notifications, gain insights, and perform predictive maintenance.

Digi Remote Manager: A Game-Changer in IoT Device Management

1. Automated Network Monitoring: Digi RM acts as a security officer, tirelessly monitoring networks for disruptions and intrusions. It provides real-time alerts and detailed performance reports, empowering businesses to take swift action when needed.

2. Configuration Management: Unlike other platforms, Digi RM allows configuring all devices at once, making individual changes, and managing specialized configurations in groups. This flexibility ensures rapid and accurate deployment while ensuring device security.

3. Firmware Updates: Keeping devices up-to-date is crucial for functionality and security. Digi RM puts the power of network management in your hands, allowing you to deploy firmware updates and patches efficiently, even in networks with thousands of devices.

4. Detection and Troubleshooting: Digi RM is always on, sending alerts and reports when issues arise. Its remote troubleshooting capabilities enable teams to diagnose, test, and reboot devices remotely, ensuring continuous network health.

5. Edge Computing Integration: Leveraging the power of edge computing, Digi RM enables the seamless integration of Python scripts and third-party cloud services, enhancing network efficiency and reducing latency.

6. Network Resiliency: Digi RM ensures superior network availability, operating at 99.9% or greater. It offers tools for out-of-band management, allowing secure access to devices even during network disruptions.

7. Robust Security Measures: Digi RM employs software-defined protection and Digi TrustFence® to safeguard networks at the highest levels. Its Configuration Manager monitors device configurations and automatically remediates any changes, ensuring network integrity.

Why Digi RM?

Digi RM uses industry-leading cloud and edge tools for rapid device deployment, and easier asset management. With Digi RM, businesses can confidently embrace IoT technology, knowing they have a powerful tool at their disposal to manage their networks effectively and securely. Embrace the future of IoT device management with Digi Remote Manager and elevate your business to new heights of efficiency and reliability.

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Revolutionizing Network Management: A Comprehensive Guide to Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Today, as technology rapidly evolves, traditional networking approaches are proving insufficient to meet the demands of modern applications and services. Enter Software-Defined Networking (SDN), which empowers organizations to take control of their networks like never before. In this article, we’ll delve into what SDN is, why it’s important, and how you can get started with implementing an SDN solution for your applications. Additionally, we’ll explore the different types of SDN solutions available.

Understanding Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Imagine you’re in charge of a big, complex network of computers, like the internet but on a smaller scale. Your job is to make sure that all the computers can talk to each other and share information effectively.

Traditionally, managing this network was a bit like playing with a big box of electrical wires and switches. You had to physically connect the wires and set the switches to make sure data (like emails, videos, or web pages) went to the right places. It was a bit like being a traffic cop at a busy intersection, manually directing the flow of data.

Now, think about SDN as a magical remote control for all those wires and switches. With SDN, you don’t need to touch the physical equipment as much. Instead, you use special software to control how data moves through the network.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Central Control: SDN has a central brain (or controller) that sits in the middle of the network. This brain knows about all the devices and how they’re connected.
  2. Smart Instructions: You can give the central brain instructions using software. For example, you can say, “Send more data to this part of the network” or “Give priority to video calls.”
  3. Flexible Changes: The cool thing is that you can change these instructions really quickly. It’s like telling the central brain to instantly switch the traffic lights at an intersection to make traffic flow better.
  4. Less Hardware: SDN also means you don’t need as much specialized hardware (like those physical switches). The software can do a lot of the work, so you save money and it’s easier to manage.

In simple terms, SDN is like having a remote control that lets you manage your network’s traffic without having to touch all the physical cables and devices. It’s more flexible, efficient, and easier to control, making the network run better and saving you time and money.

Functions of Software Defined Networking

  • WAN failover: When a single SDN router handles many Internet connections and a connection fails, SDNs automatically reroute the traffic to another cellular router.
  • Maintain connectivity: SDNs automate connectivity validation and can reroute to backup Internet connections. With this feature, a single router can support multiple carriers to significantly reduce downtime.
  • Network health monitoring: Intelligently routes network traffic to reduce data usage overages and ensure faster connection.  
  • Customizable: SDN intelligent software controls hardware from many different vendors through a common interface. This allows organizations to monitor their equipment in a way that makes the most sense for the devices.

SDN Components: Layers of Agility

SDN is a revolutionary approach to network management that operates through distinct layers, enhancing network agility and efficiency. Let’s explore these layers and delve into the various types of SDN architectures available.

  1. Infrastructure Layer: At the foundation, we have the infrastructure layer housing the forwarding equipment, including switches and routers that physically transmit data.
  2. Control Layer: The control layer, situated in the middle, orchestrates service requests from the application layer to the infrastructure layer. It acts as a bridge, translating high-level application demands into tangible network actions.
  3. Application Layer: The topmost layer encompasses applications and services running on the network. These applications interact with the network by communicating requests or sharing information.

SDN vs Traditional Network: Diverging Paths

SDN and traditional networks differ significantly in their structure and management:

  • Layered Approach: SDNs segregate network functions across three distinct layers for efficient management. In contrast, traditional networks bundle all functions within a single network device.
  • Management: In traditional networks, each device necessitates individual management. SDN streamlines management by centralizing control through a unified software platform.
  • Dynamic Rerouting: SDNs utilize dynamic software to redirect traffic in case of failures, ensuring continuity. Traditional networks require additional hardware for redundancy.

Types of Software Defined Networking: Adapting to Dynamic Demands

SDN solutions excel at dynamically managing network traffic with intelligence, optimizing performance, and reducing costs. There are four primary SDN architectures, each offering unique advantages:

  1. Open SDN: This architecture utilizes open-source software protocols, such as OpenFlow, to control and direct network traffic. Open SDN emphasizes flexibility and customizability.
  2. API SDN: API SDN employs southbound APIs to regulate data flow for individual devices. This approach allows for more granular control over network elements.
  3. Overlay Model SDN: The Overlay Model creates virtual tunnels that enable multiple isolated networks to run on top of an existing infrastructure. This flexibility is particularly useful for multi-tenancy environments.
  4. Hybrid Model SDN: The Hybrid Model acts as a bridge between traditional networking and SDN. It facilitates a gradual transition by integrating elements of both paradigms, offering organizations flexibility during their journey into full SDN adoption.

Why SDN Matters

  1. Agility and Flexibility: SDN offers unmatched agility, enabling network administrators to adapt and respond swiftly to changing business needs. Instead of manually configuring each network device, they can update policies and configurations across the entire network from a central controller.
  2. Efficient Resource Utilization: SDN optimizes resource allocation by dynamically rerouting traffic and adjusting network paths based on real-time conditions. This leads to improved network performance, reduced congestion, and enhanced user experiences.
  3. Security Enhancement: With a centralized control plane, security policies and threat detection can be uniformly enforced throughout the network. This helps in mitigating security risks and ensuring compliance.
  4. Cost Savings: By abstracting network management and automating tasks, SDN reduces operational costs and minimizes the need for specialized hardware, as network configurations can be managed via software.
  5. Innovation Acceleration: SDN lays the foundation for innovation by making it easier to integrate new services, applications, and technologies into the network infrastructure.

Seamless Remote Cloud Management

One of SDN’s standout features is its capacity for large-scale automation through a unified interface. The integration of cloud management services provides a centralized hub where routers seamlessly synchronize for status checks and updates. This cloud platform also facilitates carrier switching, empowering organizations to embrace connection redundancy via routers with multiple SIM cards from different carriers.

In a nutshell, SDN-driven cloud management offers a suite of benefits:

  • Carrier Switching Support: Effortless integration of connection redundancy via routers equipped with multiple SIM cards from diverse carriers.
  • APN Detection and Connectivity: Automatic recognition of carrier SIM cards and the provision of accurate credentials and firmware loading upon connection.
  • Automatic Router Synchronization: Routers synchronizing with a remote manager cloud portal for device updates and continuous monitoring.
  • Unified Interface: A singular interface for remote provisioning, deployment, automation, and integration of all network assets.

Final Thoughts

Software-Defined Networking represents a monumental shift in how networks are managed and operated. Its ability to increase agility, optimize resources, enhance security, and foster innovation has made it a crucial asset for modern enterprises. By carefully assessing your organization’s needs, selecting the appropriate SDN solution, and following a systematic implementation approach, you can harness the power of SDN to propel your applications and services into a new era of network management. Embrace the future of networking with SDN and stay ahead in the dynamic digital landscape.

Want to learn more about SDN and how routers from Cradlepoint, Digi, and Peplink support it? Contact the 5Gstore sales team today!

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