Introduction
This quick guide discusses the Outbound Connection settings available on the Irisys Vector units.
Note that some basic knowledge of network configuration is required, so speak to your IT department if you need assistance with any of this guide.
About Outbound Connections
An outbound connection is a connection that the Vector itself tries to establish. Its primary function is to enable the Vector to connect into an Estate Manager instance in order to facilitate remote setup and maintenance, validation, and data collection.
The details that you must enter here relate directly to the Estate Manager instance that you want the Vector to connect to.
Pre-requisite Settings Required
In order for an outbound connection to be successful, the Vector must first be connected to the internal network. This will require compatible network settings. Network configuration settings are discussed in a separate document, Network Settings.
A Vector must also have access to the internet. This may already be available, but in some cases, you will need to arrange with the onsite network administrators to allow outbound access to the internet through any Router/Firewall via the port you specify in the Outbound Connections settings, default is port 5000.
Once access to the internet is provided, the Vector needs to know the location on the internet where the Estate Manager instance can be found. This is either an IP address or Hostname, and in the vast majority of cases this will be the address of the Router/Firewall protecting the internal network which the Estate Manager server is on.
Port forwarding may need to be configured on the Estate Managers network router for the connection to reach Estate Manager.
Outbound Connections Settings
Once you are connected to your Vector, the Outbound Connections settings are accessed via the ‘Settings’ tab, then ‘Outbound Connections’:
After enabling the Client connection via the checkbox, enter an address to connect to and the port number to use. The Reconnection Interval is how long it will wait to attempt to reconnect if it becomes disconnected.
Client 1 Settings
The Address setting is the external IP or hostname of the Estate Manager instance for which the Vector is to connect.
The port setting is the port on Estate Manager which has been previously configured to ‘listen’ for incoming connections.
Speak to your administrator of your Estate Manager server/instance if you are unsure of the required Address/Port settings.
Lastly, the ‘Reconnection Interval’ setting is how often the Vector will attempt to establish an outbound connection to the address and port specified. A setting of between 10 and 60 seconds is recommended as once a connection has been made the connection will be maintained, and the interval is only used when trying to remake a disconnected/failed connection.
Test Connection
A test button is provided in order to do a preliminary check that the server can be reached. Just enter your required address and port details and click the "Test Connection" button. A simple 'ping' type function will check if the Estate Manager can be reached on that address and port.
A failure here will point to either incorrect settings being made, or the device has been blocked from reaching that address. In the vast majority of cases the device will be blocked from reaching the internet, and the local IT department will need to make changes to the network settings in order to 'whitelist' the device and allow it an outbound connection.
It should be noted that a success here does not guarantee that a device will establish and maintain a connection to Estate Manager - it only proves that an Estate Manager server is reachable. For example, certain network monitoring/security software may periodically drop the connection to Estate Manager.
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