Tag: License

Understanding Cradlepoint NetCloud Renewals

Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager (NCM) is a cloud-based network management solution that provides businesses with a single pane of glass for managing and monitoring their Cradlepoint networking devices. The platform provides IT administrators with the ability to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot their network devices from a single dashboard, regardless of their location. Without NetCloud, your Cradlepoint router is quite limited in what it can do and how it can be configured. This is why renewing your subscription is so important. Let’s take a look at some common questions about NetCloud renewals to better understand how it works and where you can find assistance. 

  • Why is it necessary to renew my NetCloud Subscription?
    • A Cradlepoint NetCloud subscription offers continued access to software features, updates, 24/7 technical support, and hardware warranty. Without an active subscription, users cannot access firmware updates and have limited control over their device. Learn more about the limitations when your device is not licensed. 
  • When do I need to renew my NetCloud subscription?
    • Cradlepoint sends out reminders about 90 days prior to expiration. It’s best to renew at that time so that there are no disruptions in your management and service. This also gives you time to review the renewal notices for all your devices, allowing for cost budgeting and license prorating, if needed. 
  • How do I renew my Cradlepoint NetCloud subscription?
    • There are three ways to renew your NetCloud subscription. Through the NCM portal, from Cradlepoint’s webstore, or through a registered Cradlepoint partner like 5Gstore.com. It is recommended to renew through a Cradlepoint partner as they will have the most up to date pricing and support.
  • What happens if my NetCloud subscription expires?
    • If your subscription expires without renewal, your device goes into a non-compliant mode and certain features are limited. You have 30 days to renew before your device becomes unlicensed and loses access to more features. 
  • Can I upgrade or change my NetCloud subscription plan at the time of renewal?
    • Yes, the renewal period is a great time to review your application needs and determine if additional features may be needed.
  • Are discounts or incentives offered for long-term NetCloud renewals?
  • Can I transfer my NetCloud subscription to another device?
    • NetCloud subscriptions are typically tied to specific devices. If you need to change devices, please contact the 5Gstore sales team for guidance. 
  • Does Cradlepoint apply any fees for late NetCloud renewal? 
    • In most cases, a late fee will be applied if renewal occurs after the expiration date. 
  • Who can assist me if I need help renewing my Cradlepoint NetCloud subscription?
  • Can my Cradlepoint NetCloud Subscription integrate with other IT infrastructure and services?
    • Yes, Cradlepoint NetCloud’s flexibility allows it to integrate seamlessly with various IT infrastructures and services. Through APIs and other interface capabilities, you can often connect it with other solutions you use. Always refer to Cradlepoint’s documentation or customer support for specific integration guidance and best practices.
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Comparing Sierra Wireless Management Services

Managing remote assets and infrastructure has become increasingly complex in our interconnected world. Whether you’re dealing with gateways, routers, or in-vehicle deployments, the need for effective network management is paramount. Sierra Wireless offers a range of solutions to address these challenges: AirLink Management Service (ALMS), AirLink Manager (AM), and AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM). In this article, we’ll compare these services to help you make an informed decision about which one suits your needs best.

AirLink Management Service (ALMS)

ALMS is Sierra Wireless’ flagship network management solution for AirLink gateways and routers. It offers an array of advanced features to streamline device management and ensure optimal performance:

  1. Over-the-Air (OTA) Device Management: ALMS supports OTA device registration, configuration, and software updates, reducing the need for manual intervention and on-site visits.
  2. Customizable Dashboards: Configurable dashboards provide real-time insights into your entire fleet, allowing you to monitor device status, signal information, and locations effortlessly.
  3. Advanced Troubleshooting: An interactive monitoring dashboard and map enable quick troubleshooting, while one-click firmware updates help maintain device software efficiently.
  4. Alerts and Heartbeat Reporting: Custom alerts and heartbeat reporting help you identify and address device issues promptly, minimizing downtime and field trips.
  5. Subscription Model: ALMS is available through an active AirLink Services subscription, making it accessible to businesses of varying sizes.
  6. AirLink Complete: Sierra Wireless offers AirLink Complete, which combines ALMS with 24/7 technical support and an extended warranty. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure mission-critical infrastructure operates at peak efficiency.
  7. AirLink Premium: This service enhances ALMS further, providing robust reporting capabilities, reducing downtime, and extending your warranty coverage for up to 5 years with an active subscription.

AirLink Manager (AM)

AM is designed for situations where cloud-based management is not an option, catering to fixed deployments. Key features of AM include:

  1. On-Premises Solution: AM offers an on-premises network management solution for AirLink routers and gateways, ideal for environments where cloud-based management is not feasible.
  2. Real-Time Data: AM provides a continuous stream of real-time network data, allowing users to monitor and analyze the behavior of connected devices.
  3. Custom Alerts and Reports: Users can create custom alerts and generate on-demand or pre-scheduled historical reports for in-depth analysis and diagnostics.

AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM)

AMM is a comprehensive network management solution designed specifically for in-vehicle deployments. It comes in two variations: hosted service for MG routers and gateways and “in the enterprise” for all AirLink routers and gateways:

  1. Real-Time Fleet Management: AMM enables real-time configuration, control, and troubleshooting of in-vehicle AirLink routers and gateways, making it suitable for mobile assets and mission-critical applications.
  2. Rich Real-Time Data: Like AM, AMM provides a continuous stream of rich, real-time network data for monitoring and analysis.
  3. Advanced Vehicle Tracking: AMM includes advanced vehicle tracking capabilities, thanks to the AirLink Tracker®. This allows organizations to monitor fleet positions, direction, and speed in real-time, as well as access detailed information about access routes and incident scenes.
  4. Custom Alerts and Reports: Similar to AM, AMM allows the creation of custom alerts and offers on-demand or pre-scheduled historical reports for in-depth analysis and diagnostics.

How to Select the Right Solution for Your Needs

When it comes to choosing the ideal device management solution, several factors come into play. Your choice hinges on the nature of the assets you’re overseeing, your data requirements (including when and where you want it stored), and, naturally, your budget. As you contemplate different device management platforms, here are some key questions to consider:

  1. Where Should Your Data Reside? Sierra Wireless offers two hosting options for your data:
    • Cloud-based: This option entails hosting your device management software and associated data on Amazon Web Services (AWS), taking advantage of AWS’s robust security, scalability, and performance. Cloud-based deployments can save organizations both time and money. They offer a lower entry cost and eliminate the need to build or maintain physical data centers.
    • On-premise: With this choice, the solution is locally installed on your computers and servers. For businesses operating in highly regulated industries, the decision may already be clear, as regulations might dictate on-premise hosting. Others may prefer on-premise hosting for the control and peace of mind it offers by keeping data in-house.
  2. Are Both On-Premise and Cloud Equally Secure? Yes, both on-premise and cloud solutions can be secure, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. The security of a system largely depends on how organizations secure, manage, and operate it, regardless of its hosting location. Common vulnerabilities include outdated patches, weak security infrastructure, and insufficient monitoring of user access.

The trend has been moving toward cloud management systems due to their scalability and access to specialized teams with expertise in cloud services. Cloud management also reduces the labor-intensive tasks required to maintain on-premise servers. In our recommendation, cloud management is the choice for its ease of use and security that matches or surpasses on-premise alternatives.

  1. Are You Monitoring Fixed or Mobile Assets? Asset monitoring serves various purposes, such as data collection, process monitoring, secure operations, asset lifespan extension, and worker safety and productivity improvements. The level of information needed depends on the type of assets under observation.
    • For fixed assets, tracking can enhance security, prolong asset life, and facilitate telemetry and operational data collection and distribution.
    • Mobile assets offer richer data, including telematics and vehicular information. Ensure your asset management platform can seamlessly integrate and present advanced location and diagnostic data from remote telematics.
  2. Do You Require Real-Time Data Updates? Traditional data analytics involve data gathering followed by analysis. Real-time analytics, tailored to your business needs, continually ingest fresh data, enabling analysts to observe changes as they happen and gain insights in real time, rather than relying solely on retrospective analyses.

The need for real-time data depends on your specific analysis and application requirements. For instance, dispatch and logistics agencies benefit from real-time asset tracking to manage routes effectively. If your use case permits, opting for scheduled data updates can help keep data costs in check.

Need Further Assistance?

Don’t stress over all your choices! Contact our team to discuss your requirements. We’ll help to determine the best solution for your application. 

Ready to Purchase?

Head over to 5Gstore.com and check out the available licenses for Sierra Wireless.

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Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager: What Happens When Your Device is not Licensed?

What is NetCloud Manager?

Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager is a cloud-based network management solution that provides businesses with a single pane of glass for managing and monitoring their Cradlepoint networking devices. The platform allows IT administrators to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot their network devices from a single dashboard, regardless of their location.

NetCloud Manager Licensing States

At its core, Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager is designed to simplify network management for businesses. The platform provides comprehensive features and tools that make it easy to manage and monitor devices, including routers, access points and IoT gateways. Within NetCloud Manager, endpoints are categorized into one of three licensing states: Licensed, Non-Compliant and Unlicensed.

These states determine what features and tools the user has access to with their device(s).

What’s the Difference Between Licensed, Non-Compliant and Unlicensed Endpoints?

It’s important to know about the licensing states within NetCloud Manager in order to use its features correctly.

  • Licensed Devices: An endpoint that has a license to an active NetCloud Manager subscription.
  • Non-Compliant: An endpoint automatically becomes “Non-compliant” when the following occurs:
    • An endpoint (router, gateway, or access point) does not have a compatible purchased license to an active NetCloud Manager subscription.
    • OR, the number of endpoints is greater than the number of active subscription licenses for a given account. It is within the 30-day remediation period following the subscription’s expiration.
  • Unlicensed: If an endpoint does not have a license after the 30-day remediation period it becomes “Unlicensed.” Unlicensed endpoints lose additional functionality after the 30-day remediation period ends, and the NetCloud service locks the endpoint into its last known basic configuration.
    • The count for each license state is visible within NetCloud Manager on the Subscriptions dashboard. Click Account > Subscriptions to view the dashboard.
    • NOTE: NetCloud Manager Administrator permissions at the root level of the account are required to view the Subscriptions dashboard.

Reduced Functionality of Non-Compliant Endpoints

Non-compliant endpoints have a 30-day remediation period during which the licensing issue must be corrected. While in the non-compliant state, endpoints will maintain their current routing capabilities, NetCloud functionality and NetCloud Essentials functionality. They will, however, lose access to certain Advanced Add-On features.

The reduced services a customer will experience with non-compliant endpoints include:

  • Features in the Advanced Add-On plan (including advanced security packages like CP Secure Threat Management, Cradlepoint Secure Web Filter and Zscaler)
  • NetCloud Edge Connector
  • SDK, if applicable.

Refer to the following three lists for details about non-compliant endpoints’ reduced functionality during the 30-day non-compliance remediation period. Information has been included for non-compliant branch and mobile endpoints, non-compliant LTE-Adapter endpoints and non-compliant IoT endpoints.

Non-Compliant Branch and Mobile Endpoints Lose Access to:

  • Branch or Mobile Advanced Plans, including CP Secure Threat Management and CP Secure Web Filter, Zscaler, NetCloud Edge Connector and SDK, if applicable
  • Geoview and dashboards for modem usage, health and clients
  • Remote connect and Out-of-Band Management (OOBM)

Non-Compliant LTE-Adapter Endpoints Lose Access to:

  • LTE-Adapter Advanced Plan, including Remote Connect and Out-of-Band Management (OOBM)
  • Advanced, real-time endpoint and network interface status
  • Dashboards for health and modem data usage

Non-Compliant IoT endpoints lose access to:

  • IoT Advanced Plan features, including advanced VPN and tunneling, Remote Connect, Out-of-Band management (OOBM) and NetCloud Edge Connector
  • Advanced real-time endpoint and network interface status
  • Dashboards for health, client and modem data usage

Reduced Functionality of Unlicensed Endpoints

Once an endpoint is unlicensed following the 30-day remediation period, it loses access to NetCloud Manager. Certain features such as remote connect, client/traffic analytics, and location services, will also be taken away. The device will maintain basic configurations and essential routing capabilities.

An unlicensed endpoint is no longer able to do the following:

  • Be managed in NetCloud Manager (for device or group configurations)
  • Upgrade its NetCloud OS (firmware)
  • Support NetCloud Perimeter
  • Use API and SDK applications
  • Act as a hub in Auto VPN
  • Connect as a spoke
  • Configure changes
  • Run the NetCloud software at full function

For Branch and Mobile Unlicensed endpoints, the following configurations continue to work but are locked:

  • Enterprise routing
  • Some VPN protocols
  • Zone firewall
  • Basic URL web filtering
  • Most LAN protocols
  • Wi-Fi

Across all subscription plans, the following features are removed from unlicensed endpoints:

  • Remote Connect
  • Out-of-Band Management
  • Alerts/Reports/Logs
  • NetCloud API
  • All dashboards in NetCloud Manager, except the Subscription dashboard
  • Real-time diagnostics and troubleshooting (minimized)
  • Full endpoint functionality will be restored when proper licensing is applied

For more information about NetCloud Manager and to ensure your endpoints are in compliance with this service, please contact 5Gstore.

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What Cradlepoint NetCloud License Do I Need?

There are so many different models of Cradlepoint routers available. There’s even more model numbers for their NetCloud Manager licenses. If you’re like most, you might be confused about which one you need when your device is unlicensed.  

In effort to help with this, we’ve outlined the categories of routers and which models fall under which category. The license model number is also listed for your reference.

  • Branch 5G Adapters (BE**-NCESS)
    • W4005
    • W2005
    • W1850
  • Branch Adapters (BB*-NCESS)
    • L950
    • CBA550
    • CBA850
  • Branch Performance Routers (BD*-NCESS)
    • E3000
    • CR4250
  • Branch Routers (BA*-NCESS)
    • AER1600/ 1650
    • AER2100
    • AER2200
  • Enterprise Branch Routers (BF**-NCESS)
    • E300
  • IoT Routers (TB*-NCESS)
    • IBR900
    • IBR200
    • IBR600C
  • Mobile Performance Routers (MB**-NCESS)
    • R1900
  • Mobile Routers (MA*-NCESS)
    • IBR1100
    • IBR1700
  • Pre-2018 IoT Routers (TA*-NCESS)
    • IBR600
    • IBR600B

*Refers to 1, 3, or 5 year licenses

If you still aren’t sure what you need, please reach out to the 5Gstore team via chat, phone or email.

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What Frequency did T-Mobile Win Licenses For?

WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) – T-Mobile (TMUS.O) won the bulk of licenses awarded in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 2.5 GHz band auction, successfully bidding $304.3 million, the agency said Thursday.

Most of the auctioned spectrum is located in rural areas and will support wireless services in rural communities, the FCC said. In total, the auction raised gross proceeds of $427 million. T-Mobile won 7,156 of the 8,017 county-based licenses offered for auction.

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5Gstore / Peplink Service Automation

All router manufacturers offer or require yearly service/subscriptions and/ or special service add-ons that need to be renewed. This is a tedious process not only for the end-user (customer) but also for the reseller and the manufacturer as well.  Here is how it works now.  Place an online order for a service item.  The reseller gets it and has to create a purchase order and manually submit an order to the manufacturer.  The manufacturer gets the order and has to manually process it.  Typically, this takes less than 24 hours but could take longer.

Sometimes, you are in a bind and need to purchase/update your router (or fleet of routers). NOW, you cannot wait 24 hours (or more if on the weekend).  What happens if something expires Saturday at midnight?  You have to wait until Monday for the order to first be processed. 

5Gstore and Peplink have partnered to automate and speed up this process.  When placing an order for any service item at 5Gstore, we have worked with Peplink to create a robust API.  When you place any service order, 24/7, your order will be processed and fulfilled in MINUTES.  All automatically – we will even check your order to make sure you don’t mix up serial numbers.  We can process 10 or 100,000 orders a day and it will be automatic.  This is what the new process looks like:

If your warranty has expired and you need Incontrol2 access at 11pm or on a Sunday, just place your order with 5Gstore for instant processing.  It doesn’t matter where you ordered your Peplink device, we can help you 24/7!!  During checkout, you are required to enter the S/N of your Peplink device, our system verifies that your service item is compatible with your device.  If you have a bunch of devices that you need to order, you can export your S/Ns and directly import them during the checkout process.

How To Find your Peplink Serial Number (S/N)

Peplink is adding more “Feature Packs” to convert a low-end SKU to have more features and make them equivalent to older higher-end SKUs.  With this upcoming change, 5Gstore will be able to add any Feature Pack that is on your order as it is shipped (or instantly as you needs change).

Lastly, we have simplified the complicated when it comes to ordering service items.  Just enter your Peplink S/N in our search box and we will display all the service items specifically available for your S/N (this works for all Peplink S/Ns).

Just another way, 5Gstore helps you stay connected! 

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