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Locking Devices to a Mobile Cell (view source)
Revision as of 10:32, 20 March 2023
, 10:32, 20 March 2023no edit summary
==Overview==
<p style="color:red">The information in this page is updated in accordance with [https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/FW_%26_SDK_Downloads'''00.07.04'''] firmware version.</p>
All mobile carrier cells are assigned a unique ID, which is broadcasted to all connected devices. It is usually irrelevant information for the end user, as cell switching on mobile phones and routers has become very good. But sometimes in '''remote areas''', it is beneficial to lock the LTE router to a single cell, as automatic mode may choose a cell with fewer or slower bands, as it only really looks for the '''best signal'''. '''For now, only some devices with Quectel modems support this feature'''.
==Introduction==
This article contains instructions on how to lock your Teltonika device to a specific cell. All mobile carrier cells are assigned a unique ID, which is broadcasted to all connected devices. It is usually irrelevant information for the end user, as cell switching on mobile phones and routers has become very good. But sometimes in '''remote areas''', it is beneficial to lock the LTE router to a single cell, as automatic mode may choose a cell with fewer or slower bands, as it only really looks for the '''best signal'''. '''For now, only some devices with Quectel modems support this feature'''.
==Compatible modems==
==Compatible modems==
Not all modems support cell locking. To find out if your device is compatible, in your device WebUI, go to '''Status → System''' page. Under the '''Modem''' section, you'll see the '''Model''' row:<br>
Not all modems support cell locking. To find out if your device is compatible, in your device WebUI, go to '''Status → System''' page. Under the '''Internal modem''' section, you'll see the '''Model''' row:<br>
[[File:Networking_Quectel_configuration_locking_cellids_on_devices_with_quectel_modems_modem_model_v3.PNG|border|class=tlt-border]]<br>
[[File:Networking_checking_modem_versions_v1.png|border|class=tlt-border]]<br>
If the model starts with '''EG or EC''', and '''not SLM or RG''', this feature should work. However to make sure it's supported, command '''''gsmctl -A 'AT+QNWLOCK=?'''''' should '''not''' return '''ERROR''', when ran via [[Command_Line_Interfaces_RutOS#SSH|SSH]] or [[Command_Line_Interfaces_RutOS#CLI_.28WebUI.29|CLI]]. The response should look something like this:<br>
If the model starts with '''EG or EC''', and '''not SLM or RG''', this feature should work. However to make sure it's supported, command '''''gsmctl -A 'AT+QNWLOCK=?'''''' should '''not''' return '''ERROR''', when ran via [[Command_Line_Interfaces_RutOS#SSH|SSH]] or [[Command_Line_Interfaces_RutOS#CLI_.28WebUI.29|CLI]]. The response should look something like this:<br>
[[File:Networking_Quectel_configuration_locking_cellids_on_devices_with_quectel_modems_checking_compatibility_v2.PNG|border|class=tlt-border]]
<pre>
root@Teltonika-RUTX11:~# gsmctl -A 'AT+QNWLOCK=?'
+QNWLOCK: "common/4g",<num of cells>,[[<freq>,<pci>],...]
+QNWLOCK: "common/lte"[,<action>[,<EARFCN>,<PCI>[,<status>]]]
</pre>
==When to use cell locking==
==When to use cell locking==
'''''Note: It is always recommended to use [[Band_Lock|Band Lock]] and only resort to Cell locking if Band Lock does not resolve the issue.'''''
'''''Note: It is always recommended to use [[Band_Lock|Band Lock]] and only resort to Cell locking if Band Lock does not resolve the issue.'''''
==Cell lock configuration==
==Configuration==
While we do not support this function via our WebUI just yet, it can quite easily be done using [[AT_Commands|AT commands]]. AT commands are the "native language" for mobile modems, which the router uses to communicate with the modem.
While we do not support this function via our WebUI just yet, it can quite easily be done using [[AT_Commands|AT commands]]. AT commands are the "native language" for mobile modems, which the router uses to communicate with the modem.
----
----
To start, we'll set the router to LTE-only mode, by using the command:<br>
To start, we'll set the router to LTE-only mode, by using the command:<br>
<pre>gsmctl -A 'AT+QCFG="NWSCANMODE",3,1'</pre>
<br>
Where:<br>
Where:<br>
*'''3''' - ''LTE-only mode;''<br>
*'''3''' - ''LTE-only mode;''<br>
===Finding the serving cell details===
===Finding the serving cell details===
----
----
To know if our changes had any effect, we'll check the current cell we're connected to, by using a command:
To know if our changes had any effect, we'll check the current cell we're connected to, by using a command:<br>
<br>
<pre>gsmctl -A 'AT+QENG="SERVINGCELL"'</pre>
The output should look something like this:
The output should look something like this:
<pre>
root@Teltonika-RUTX11:~# gsmctl -A 'AT+QENG="SERVINGCELL"'
+QENG: "servingcell","NOCONN","LTE","FDD",246,02,139B15,459,1850,3,5,5,90,-74,-4,-50,20,0,-32768,-
</pre>
We're mostly interested only in the highlighted parts:
We're mostly interested only in the highlighted parts:
* '''139B15''' - currently serving cell ID in hexadecimal form. This ID is unique to each cell. It is only used as a reference point in this configuration.<br>
* '''139B15''' - currently serving cell ID in hexadecimal form. This ID is unique to each cell. It is only used as a reference point in this configuration.<br>
Output from the command should be '''OK''', if it's not, please double-check the spelling.
Output from the command should be '''OK''', if it's not, please double-check the spelling.
==Verifying the change==
==Results==
To verify that the cell change occurred, wait around 30 seconds and again run the command '''''gsmctl -A 'AT+QENG="SERVINGCELL"''''''<br>
To verify that the cell change occurred, wait around 30 seconds and again run the command '''''gsmctl -A 'AT+QENG="SERVINGCELL"''''''<br>
The output values for PCI and EARFCN should now match the ones used in the previous command. If not, please double check, that you have not set the same cell as the router was connected to before.
The output values for PCI and EARFCN should now match the ones used in the previous command. If not, please double check, that you have not set the same cell as the router was connected to before.
And that's it! Your router should be back to fully automatic mode.
And that's it! Your router should be back to fully automatic mode.
==External links==
==See also/References==
[https://www.opencellid.org/ OpenCellid] - database of cells and their locations;<br>
[https://www.opencellid.org/ OpenCellid] - database of cells and their locations;<br>
[https://www.cellmapper.net/ CellMapper] - database of cells, their locations as well as EARFCN and PCI data;<br>
[https://www.cellmapper.net/ CellMapper] - database of cells, their locations as well as EARFCN and PCI data;<br>