Frequent problems of DEXGate2

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This document describes different cases of errors that can be found with the DEXGate and their possible solution.

How to connect to DEXGate2's Wifi

The DEXGate2 has a small antenna located on the side of the connection for the power supply. This Wifi antenna is used to connect to the DEXGate2 configuration interface.

Once the Wifi antenna is connected, connect the DEXGate2 to the power supply. After a few minutes on your Wi-Fi networks, the Wi-Fi of the DEXGate2 called DEXGate_XXXXXXX will appear, where XXXXXX is the MAC of the DEXGate2 (you can find it on the label on the back of the equipment)

The Wi-Fi password is the MAC of the DEXGate2 with the letters in Uppercase.

When connected to Wifi, open a web browser and put the IP 172.16.0.1

A green screen will appear and a login with which you can access using the username and password admin / admin respectively.

 

I want to login into DEXGate2 configuration interface but the page does not load.

If this happens to you, try disconnecting the DEXGate2 from the power supply, waiting a few minutes, and reconnecting it. Connect to the Wi-Fi network and enter the DEXGate2 configuration again.

If this is not resolved, you will have to write the firmware back to the DEXGate2 to restore it completely.
 

In the Modbus log appears the error: MODBUS EXCEPTION

In this case, if it is a device already integrated in the DEXGate2 check:

  • That the Modbus configuration configured on DEXGate2 is the same for all devices connected to it. Check the speed, parity, data bit and stop bit data that are configured in the DEXGate2, they must be the same as those that are configured in the devices:

#baud:   9600, 19200, 57600, 115200, etc

bridge.speed=9600

 

#parity: "even", "odd" or "none"

bridge.parity=even

 

#data_bits: 5, 6, 7, 8

bridge.data_bit=8

 

#stop_bits: 1, 2

bridge.stop_bit=1

 

  • That the slave address of the device is correct. Each device on the same bus must have a unique slave address, it cannot be repeated. If there is more than one device of the same model, the addresses must be separated by a comma, for example:

devices.circutor-cvm-mini = 1,2,3

 

  • Check the bus cable, that there is no interference or that the cable is damaged, if you have another cable at hand, try another cable. Depending on which devices are on the bus, it is necessary to connect a resistor at the end of the bus. (see article DEXGate2 RS485 cable)
  • If it is a custom device that we have configured in the DEXGate2, we may not have correctly configured the register where the DEXGate2 has to ask and that is why it gives an error, check the Modbus register map of the device.

 

In the Modbus log the error appears that the DEXGate2 cannot publish the data on the server: IOException

The DEXGate2 has successfully read all the devices, but cannot publish the data.

There is a firewall in the building network

If there is a firewall, check the connection requirements of the DEXGate2, that the ports are open so that the DEXGate2 publish the data:

DEXGate2 will need an IP address. This IP address can be obtained using DHCP or statically configured.
DEXGate2 only uses outgoing connections, so if you don't have a firewall and use NAT it will work out of the box. It uses the following ports:

  • Basic:
    • Sending data to the server: TCP port 80 to is3.dexcell.com
    • Sending data to the server: TCP port 443 to is3.dexcell.com
    • Using internet to sync time: UDP port 123 to various servers
  • Optional:
    • Remote control of the device: UDP port 1196 to remote.dexcell.com

Memory is full

The DEXGate2 can store data in its memory, so if it cannot publish, it will save the readings in the DEXGate2 memory creating files we call “queues”. When DEXGate 2 manages to publish the data read at that moment, then it will start to publish all the data stored in the "queues".

If it has been a long time (months) without being able to publish the data, the DEXGate2 may have saturated memory and cannot publish, then the following should be done:

  • You will have to physically go to where the DEXGate2 is located
  • Download the WINSCP program
  • Connect using a laptop to DEXGates2's Wifi:
    • Wi-Fi name: DEXGATE2_MAC
    • Wifi password: MAC of DEXGate2 with capital letters
  • Open the WINSCP program and enter the following data:

Connection type: SCP

IP: 172.16.0.1

Port: 22

User: root

Password: dexcell

  • On the right side you will have your computer, on the left the DEXGate2 folders
  • Go to the var / staticqueues folder
  • Select all the files and transfer them to your computer.
  • Open a browser and put the DEXGate2 IP 172.16.0.1
  • Enter the configuration interface (by default admin / admin)
  • Go to Modbus-> Configuration
  • Select "Save and reboot" (green button)
  • Go to the Modbus logs and see if data is being inserted
  • If they are being inserted, return to the WINSCP program and transfer the files from the queues (not all at the same time), first try 5 at 5, then 10 at 10 and go up depending on the response of DEXGate2.

A file in the queue is corrupt.

Sometimes it happens that a corrupted file is created which makes the DEXGate2 unable to publish and files accumulate in the queue.

To do this, follow the steps in the previous point but DO NOT put the first and second files in the queues back into DEXGate2 (one of them will be corrupt)

 

I have forgotten the password to access the DEXGate2 configuration interface.

If we have forgotten the password to access the DEXGate2 configuration interface or we do not know which it is, follow these steps to return to the "default" password, which is admin.

  • Download the WINSCP program
  • Connect to the DEXGate2 Wi-Fi:
    • Wi-Fi name is DEXGATE2_MAC
    • Wifi password: MAC of the DEXGate2 (00D0XXXX), the letters in capital letters.
  • Open the WINSCP program and enter the following data:
    Connection type: SCP
    IP: 172.16.0.1
    Port: 22
    User: root
    Password: dexcell
  • On the right you will have the folders of your computer and on the left the folders of the DEXGate2.
  • In DEXGate2 go to the following folder: / opt / sysadmin / config, there you will find a file called "password.txt"
  • Enter to edit the file "password.txt"
  • Delete all the content and insert the following line: admin:d033e22ae348aeb5660fc2140aec35850c4da997
  • Disconnect and reconnect the DEXGate2 to power
  • When the DEXGate2 Wifi reappears, reconnect.
  • Open the browser and put the IP 172.16.0.1 and try to enter the DEXGate2 configuration interface with the user admin and the password admin

I want to extend or reduce the time that the DEXGate2 takes to ask the devices (polling interval).

By default, the DEXGate2 is programmed to ask connected devices every 15 minutes. We can reduce or extend this time. To do this, follow the following steps:

In the Modbus configuration within the DEXGate2 configuration interface, add the line:

bridge.scheduled-polling-interval = n, where n are the minutes that you want to pass between one sending and another.
Set the minutes you want and reboot the Modbus, clicking on the green button "Save and restart".

 

How to access DEXGate2 via SSH

Open the terminal and type the following:
 
ssh root @ IP of the DEXGate2 within the network
Password: dexcell

* If you want to access DEXGate2 through SSH and you are using Windows you can access it with the Putty software
 

Burn the firmware on the DEXGate2.

If our DEXGate2 is old, it may need a firmware update. The latest version available is v1.6.

To update the firmware, follow these steps:

NOTE: this process deletes all the data that could have been saved in the DEXGate2. Remember to make a copy of the Ethernet configuration, Modbus Configuration, Custom Modbus Devices, etc.

  • Download the DEXGate2 firmware through this link TQ_ARM_BSP-Update-tqma28.zip
  • Download the MFG Tools program through this link: Mfgtools-Rel-1.6.2.048.rar 
  • Unzip the MFG Tools program file.
  • Unzip the firmware file (TQ_ARM_BSP-Update-tqma28.zip) inside the Profiles folder that was generated when unzipping the Mfgtools-Rel-1.6.2.048.rar file
  • Open the executable MfgTool.exe and select from the drop-down field the image (profile) that corresponds to the name TQ_ARM_BSP-Update-tqma28

firmwaredexgate2.webp

  • Top left, go to Options -> Configuration and select eMMC only
  • Now take the DEXGate2 and we will put it in recovery USB mode
  • Open the top cover of DEXGate2 (where the SIM card goes)
  • On the left you will see some pins. The 3 and 4 will be up and the rest will be down.
  • Low pins 3 and 4 (OFF). Raise pins 1 and 2 (ON).
  • Connect DEXGate2 to your computer using a USB-microUSB cable.
  • Connect the DEXGate2 to a power source.
  • If this is the first time this process has been performed on your computer, the USB HID driver detection and installation will appear. Once the installation is complete, the phrase “Device Found” will appear in the MFG Tools.
  • Press the green "Start" button and wait for the process to finish (it may take a few minutes).
  • Do not disconnect the USB cable or power until the process is complete.
  • Once completed, press the “Stop” button, disconnect the DEXGate2's power supply, and then disconnect the USB.
  • Lower pins 1 and 2 (OFF) again and raise pins 3 and 4 (ON)
  • To check that it has been recorded correctly, connect the Wifi antenna of the DEXGate2 and reconnect it to the power supply. After a few minutes, the DEXGate2 Wi-Fi network will appear

 

Updtate Modbus forwarder for DEXGate2

The latest version of the modbus forwarder for the DEXGate2 is number 6.2.8.3

On the main screen of the DEXGate2 interface you can see the firmware version and also the version of the Modbus forwarder. If your Modbus is older, you can upgrade it by following these steps:

Download the latest version of the modbus gateway through this link: ModbusBridge-6.2.8.3-jar-with-dependencies.jar 

  • Download WinSCP program
  • Connect to the DEXGate Wifi network. The Wi-Fi password is the MAC of the DEXGate2 (the letters in capital letters)
  • Open the WinSCP program and fill in the following fields:

Connection type: SCP
IP: 172.16.0.1
Port: 22
User: root
Password: dexcell

  • Once inside the screen you will have the DEXGate2 on your right side and your PC on the left side.
  • On the DEXGate2 screen (right) you have to navigate to opt / modbus-producer / lib
    In this folder you will find the file of the current modbus gateway, take the file and transfer it to your PC.
  • Take the new file from the modbus gateway that has been downloaded and put it in the folder where the previous one was.
  • Close the program, open a web browser and enter the IP 172.16.0.1
  • Enter the DEXGate2 interface with username and password (admin / admin by default)
  • In the left menu select “Restart” and restart the DEXGate2.
  • When it restarts you will lose connection for several minutes. Then re-enter the interface and on the main screen check that the modbus version has been updated correctly.

 

Increase or decrease the time that the DEXGate2 waits for a response from a device.

In the Modbus configuration of DEXGate2 we can add a line to increase or decrease the time the DEXGate2 waits to receive a response from a device once it has asked for a specific register

It is an adjustment option that can be considered in rare cases.

By default the Timeout is 1500 milliseconds. You can substitute this time for whatever you want, always in milliseconds.

 

bridge.timeout = 1500

 

Increase or decrease the time that DEXGate2 waits since it has received a register to ask for the next register.

In the Modbus configuration of DEXGate2 we can add a line to increase or decrease the time that DEXGate2 waits since it receives a register and asks for the next register.

It is an adjustment option that can be considered in rare cases.

By default, the waiting time between register and register is 0. You can substitute this time for whatever you want, always in milliseconds.

 

bridge.sleep-milliseconds-between-registers = 0

 

NOTE: keep in mind that if the time between records is higher than the Timeout, it will give an error

 

 

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