Overview

Connections are a foundational aspect of the sensemetrics platform. This article will briefly cover:

• Connections on the Network Page
• sensemetrics Hierarchy
• Thread Network Role
• Adding a Connection
• Connection Status
• Connection Functions

Network Page

The first step to visualizing data on the sensemetrics platform is to add a connection to a project, then attach subsequent devices and sensors.

Note: The ability to add or modify a connection is dependent upon the project role.

Once a connection has been added to a project, it will populate in the left-hand side column of the Connectivity Module. The Connectivity Module contains a list of all connections within your network. No device or sensor will be able to connect without first establishing a connection that will transmit the data to the sensemetrics platform. 

Workspace | Network

Hierarchy 

Connections represent the highest level of the sensemetrics hierarchy, as they house devices and sensors. Although sensors initially collect the data, connections aggregate the data from all associated sensors and send it to the sensemetrics platform. Below is an example of how a Thread might be configured with associated devices and sensors.

Note: Depending on the hardware version, each Thread will have up to fourteen default diagnostic sensors.  

Thread Hierarchy

Thread Network Role

Getting Started 

Begin by connecting a Thread directly to your network either via an ethernet cable into the 'Network' port found on the front of the Thread or by using a Thread with cellular capabilities. This Thread will then become a "Gateway Thread" and all the other Thread's can wirelessly connect back to the server through this Gateway.

Power on the Thread and a green LED indicator will signify the Thread has successfully reached the server.

Gateway Threads

The Thread will operate in the role of a gateway when it is connected to a broadband Internet connection via ethernet or cellular services. All cellular models will prioritize use of a cabled Internet connection, but will fall back to cellular service if the primary connection is interrupted. Reversing this priority is configurable in the Thread settings.

Thread devices configured with the optional active wireless mesh transceiver and operating in the role of a gateway, will serve as a wireless access point for any other Thread devices in proximity that also have the wireless mesh  transceiver.  

Gateways can host up to 25 wireless endpoint devices depending on many factors, including: 

• Distance between gateway and endpoint 
• Signal strength 
• RF noise in proximity 
• Sampling frequency 
• Configured sensor data rate 

Installing multiple gateway Threads will automatically provide load balancing and redundancy for proximal endpoint Threads. A gateway Thread will fall back and operate as an endpoint if internet uplink is disrupted and additional gateways are operating in proximity. 

Endpoint Threads

After setting up at least one Gateway Thread that connects directly to the network, then you can connect additional Endpoint Threads. Endpoint Threads are not required to connect via a cabled network connection or internal cellular transceiver. Instead, Endpoints will connect to the cloud through neighboring Thread devices using active  wireless mesh. Endpoints will automatically negotiate a secure wireless connection - either directly through the closest gateway or by hopping through other endpoints. Up to three hops can be made to access a gateway. 

Add a Connection 

There are two different types of connections: Threads and database connections. Visit the respective links to learn how each connection is added to a project.

• sensemetrics Thread
• GeoMOS Server
• Spider Server 
• LoadSensing
• GeoNet

Note: A GeoNet is a radio-only device, so it will need a Thread to connect to the cloud

Connection Status

The status indicators are located next to the connections in the connection module. 

Indicator	Description
	A green indicator represents the connection is currently connected to the network
	A red indicator will indicate the connection is either powered down or not able to establish a connection
	A blue indicator represents a Thread that is using a power schedule

Connection Functions

Connection functions are located either next to the connection or at the top of the connection module.

Indicator	Description
	Configure a Thread to use a supported Device on one of its Device Ports.
	Check the box next to any connection to filter its Devices and Sensors. Mass editing may be performed using the checkmarks
	Use the Gear icon at the top of the column to quickly edit a connection including notes and power schedule. Bulk editing is available if multiple connections are selected via the check box
	Sort the connection list by type, status, last activity and more