Introduction

In this document, we are going to see the full VeeaHub deployment instruction in an existing network environment that does not provide an internet connection. No specific knowledge about Veea eco-system is required, but a VeeaHub with a Cellular backhaul and an account on Control Center will be necessary to perform the steps.

Use case

Let’s imagine a existing building situation where a network infrastructure is already available. And for this scenario, this network infrastructure doesn’t provided any internet connectivity. The system administrator will select a VeeaHub as the IoT platform that will handle the LoRaWAN local coverage. Using a 4G backhaul, this VeeaHub will also handle the internet connectivity required solely for it’s own maintenance and administration.

In this topology, the VeeaHub is set as an isolated LAN. No exchanges between the LAN and the WAN are possible and as a result no peripheral on the LAN can benefit from the Veeahub cellular internet connectivity.

WAN and LAN support

A VeeaHub gateway node (also called the MEN) is connected to the existing LAN as a client. Its local LAN takes its IP addresses from the DHCP server from the existing LAN router. Or, in case of no DHCP server, the administrator defines a static IP that satisfies the LAN router . Any peripheral connected to the Veeahub LAN will be attached to the existing building LAN.

For typical use, a VeeaHub will require internet access for administration, monitoring and maintenance. In this scenario, the existing network doesn’t provide such internet access. So, deploying VeeaHub with a Cellular backhaul is mandatory. The VeeaHub will have private WAN access, isolated from the LAN.

All the steps to setup this topology are covered in the next Section.

All the details about the Veea Mesh configuration can the found here: https://support.veea.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/17755798668563

VeeaHub configuration

Once your VeeaHub is up and running, you can access the administration space in Control Center.

From your VeeaHub mesh page, the first step will be to deploy the 4G backhaul package: https://support.veea.com/hc/en-us/articles/29017098947603-4G-Backhaul-Configuration

After this configuration, you can connect your VeeaHub to the existing network using a regular Ethernet cable and plugging it to the VeeaHub ethernet Port 1 (LAN).

Now, we’re going to configure this VeeaHub as isolated LAN: https://support.veea.com/hc/en-us/articles/29017348619539-Configure-an-Isolated-LAN

Extending the LoRaWAN coverage

A single LoRa VeeaHub has a limited coverage based on the local environment (outdoor/indoor, wall thickness, etc.). Based on the coverage target of a specific area, more than one LoRa VeeaHub might be necessary.

Using the VeeaHubs meshing capability (over Wifi or Ethernet), one can add more LoRa Hubs to extend the local LoRa coverage. In the case of an existing network (not a VeeaHub) supporting the local LAN, any additional VeeaHub will be automatically configured as an MN and will require only a direct ethernet connection to the existing LAN on any of its ports.