KbA0011: Using your computer as a gateway for the CopperCube

Description

CopperCubes are deployed to networking environments that differ in their security policies. It is not uncommon for a CopperCube to be deployed into a locked-down network, where the CopperCube can only connect to the CopperTree Intake server and no other server. Periodically, CopperTree releases upgrades for the CopperCube software, and the standard method of installing these updates requires the CopperCube to connect to the Internet. [A USB-based upgrade path is planned].

This KBA details a process to use a laptop to provide a gateway for the CopperCube to connect to the Internet – thus allowing a CopperCube to be upgraded even though it is not directly connected to the Internet.

Use cases

  • Use case 1: The building provides another network with an internet connection such as a WiFi connection.
  • Use case 2: The building provides another network with an internet connection through an Ethernet cable.
  • Use case 3: The building does not provide another network with the internet.

1. WiFi Network

Pre-requisites

You will need to bring the following with you:

  • A laptop or a computer with:
    • 1 network card with an Ethernet connector
    • 1 wireless network card
  • a network cable
  • the laptop/computer must be running Windows 7 (or Windows 8).
  • administrator access on the Laptop/Computer in order to change the network configurations

Procedure

To use your Laptop/Computer as a gateway, please follow the steps:

  • Use your network cable to connect the CopperCube port LAN 2 to the Laptop/Computer network connector
  • Configure the IP settings of your Laptop/Computer to allow access to the CopperCube UI * IP Address: 169.254.8.30 * Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 * Gateway: Leave it blank
  • Open a web browser on your computer and connect to the CopperCube Web UI and then navigate to the IP Settings page of the CopperCube user interface.
  • On the IP Settings page:
    • record the existing IP configuration of the CopperCube
    • change the IP address of Port LAN 1 to 192.168.137.2 (Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.137.1, DNS: 192.168.1.1). Click Update. The CopperCube will apply the settings, and restart itself.
  • Go to your laptop’s Control Panel, and access the Network and Sharing Centre page. Click on Adapter Settings.
  • Right-click on the wireless network card (connected to the Internet).
    • Click on Properties.
    • Under the Sharing tab, check the first option to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” and uncheck the second option. See screen capture below.
Sharing_Settings.jpg
  • On the same Network Connections page, you should see that the secondary NIC is being shared through the primary NIC which is connected to the internet.
  • Now you need to reboot your CopperCube: please press and hold 5 seconds for the power button. Then press again the power button to restart the CopperCube, you will hear a beep sound after a few seconds.
    • When you hear the beep sound, remove the network cable used to connect to the BACnet network (LAN 1). alert The CopperCube will be removed from the BACnet network, thus the CopperCube will not be able to archive TL during the upgrade process. Please make sure that your TL buffer is sufficient.
    • Also, unplug the network cable from the CopperCube LAN 2 and plug it into the CopperCube’s LAN 1.
  • Open your browser and access CopperCube’s UI through the IP Address you setup: 192.168.137.2
    • If you reach the CopperCube’s UI, it means the CopperCube can access the internet through your Laptop/Computer

2. Another Ethernet network

Pre-requisites

You will need to bring with you:

  • A laptop or a computer with:
    • 2 network cards with an Ethernet connector
  • two network cables
  • the laptop/computer must be running Windows 7 (or Windows 8).
  • administrator access on the Laptop/Computer to change the network configurations

Procedure

To use your Laptop/Computer as a gateway, please follow the steps bellow:

  • use your network cable and plug the CopperCube port LAN 2 to one of the Laptop/Computer network connector
  • Record the name of the network card of your Laptop/computer that you use to connect to the CopperCube. It will be referred to as NIC1 in the following steps.
  • Set the IP settings of your Laptop/Computer NIC1 in order to reach the CopperCube UI * IP Address: 169.254.8.30 * Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 * Gateway: Leave it blank
  • Use your browser and go to the IP Settings page of the CopperCube user interface.
  • On the IP Settings page:
    • Record the existing IP configuration of the CopperCube.*
    • change the IP address of Port LAN 1 to be 192.168.137.2 (Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.137.1, DNS: 192.168.1.1). Click Update. The CopperCube will apply the settings, and restart itself.
  • Use your second network cable and plug it into the building internet network
    • plug the other end into the remaining network connector of your Laptop/Computer
  • Go to your laptop’s Control Panel, and access the Network and Sharing Centre page.
    • Make sure that your Laptop/Computer find the network and is able to access the internet (otherwise try to change your Laptop network settings to Automatic for the second network card, called NIC2)
    • From the Network and Sharing Center page, click on Adapter Settings.
  • Right-click on the second network card (connected to the Internet, NIC2).
    • Click on Properties.
    • Under the Sharing tab, check the first option to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” and uncheck the second option. See screen capture below.
Sharing_Settings.jpg
  • On the same Network Connections page, you should see that the secondary NIC is being shared through the primary NIC which is connected to the internet.
  • Now you need to reboot your CopperCube: please press and hold 5 seconds the power button. Then press again the power button to restart the CopperCube, you will hear a beep sound after few seconds.
    • When you hear the beep sound, remove the network cable used to connect to the BACnet network (LAN 1). alert The CopperCube will be removed from the BACnet network, thus the CopperCube will not be able to archive TL during the upgrade process. Please make sure that your TL buffer is sufficient.
    • Also, unplug the network cable from the CopperCube LAN 2 and plug it into the CopperCube’s LAN 1.
  • Open your browser and access the CopperCube’s UI through the IP Address you setup: 192.168.137.2
    • If you reach the CopperCube’s UI, it means the CopperCube can access the internet through your Laptop/Computer

3. No on-site internet network Available

Pre-requisites

So you will need to bring with you:

  • Your own internet connection such as a smartphone
  • A laptop or a computer with:
    • 1 network card with an Ethernet connector
    • 1 wireless network card
  • a network cable
  • the laptop/computer must be running Windows 7 (or Windows 8).
  • administrator access on the Laptop/Computer in order to change the network configurations

Procedure

To use your Laptop/Computer as a gateway, please follow the steps below:

  • use your network cable and plug the CopperCube port LAN 2 into one of the Laptop/Computer network connector
  • Record the name of the network card of your Laptop/computer that you use to connect to the CopperCube. It will be called NIC1 in the following steps.
  • Set the IP settings of your Laptop/Computer NIC1 in order to reach the CopperCube UI * IP Address: 169.254.8.30 * Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 * Gateway: Leave it blank
  • Use your browser and go to the IP Settings page of the CopperCube user interface.
  • On the IP Settings page:
    • record the current IP configuration of the CopperCube.
    • change the IP address of Port LAN 1 to be 192.168.137.2 (Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0, Gateway: 192.168.137.1, DNS server: 192.168.1.1). Click Update. The CopperCube will apply the settings, and restart itself.
  • Turn on your smartphone
  • enable the WiFi portable hotspot from your phone
    • For Android, go to Settings, Wireless & networks, Tethering & portable hotspot, then enable the Portable WiFi hotspot
    • For IOS,
    • For Windows phones.
  • Use your wireless network card to connect to your smartphone WiFi hotspot
  • Go to your laptop’s Control Panel, and access the Network and Sharing Centre page.
    • Make sure that your Laptop/Computer find the network and is able to access the internet (otherwise try to change your Laptop network settings to Automatic for the second network card, called NIC2)
    • From the Network and Sharing Center page, click on Adapter Settings.
  • Right-click on the second network card (connected to the Internet, NIC2).
    • Click on Properties.
    • Under the Sharing tab, check the first option to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection” and uncheck the second option. See screen capture below.
Sharing_Settings.jpg
  • On the same Network Connections page, you should see that the secondary NIC is being shared through the primary NIC which is connected to the internet.
  • Now you need to reboot your CopperCube: please press and hold 5 seconds for the power button. Then press again the power button to restart the CopperCube, you will hear a beep sound after few seconds.
    • When you hear the beep sound, remove the network cable used to connect to the BACnet network (LAN 1). alert The CopperCube will be removed from the BACnet network, thus the CopperCube will not be able to archive TL during the upgrade process. Please make sure that your TL buffer is sufficient.
    • Also, unplug the network cable from the CopperCube LAN 2 and plug it into the CopperCube’s LAN 1.
  • Open your browser and access CopperCube’s UI through the IP Address you setup: 192.168.137.2
    • If you reach the CopperCube’s UI, it means the CopperCube can access the internet through your Laptop/Computer
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