Wi-Fi Infrastructure

Presentation

The Panel Server supports the following protocols on Wi-Fi infrastructure:

HTTPS to provide access to the Panel Server embedded webpages
Modbus TCP/IP
Devices Profile for Web Services (DPWS) protocol for IP network discovery

If the Panel Server Universal or Advanced is installed in a metallic enclosure, a Wi-Fi external antenna (reference PASA-ANT1) can be installed to extend the Wi-Fi network outside the metallic enclosure. The settings of output power for the external antenna are predefined and not editable.

If the Panel Server Entry is installed in a metallic enclosure, use the Ethernet port connection instead of Wi-Fi to avoid interruptions in communication.

Availability

This function is available on Panel Server Entry, Universal (except Wired by Design models), and Advanced.

Setting the Parameters

Wi-Fi infrastructure is configured on the EcoStruxure Panel Server webpages. Proceed as follows:

Access the Panel Server webpages (see detailed topic).
Configure the connection to Wi-Fi on the webpage Settings > Network communication > Wi-Fi infrastructure > General settings.

General Settings

WARNING
UNINTENDED EQUIPMENT OPERATION OR ALTERED FEATURE OF PROTECTIVE DEVICES Do not set Wi-Fi Antenna parameter to External if the external Wi-Fi antenna is not connected to the Panel Server Universal or Advanced gateway. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

Parameter	Description
Wi-Fi activation	Used to enable/disable Wi-Fi. NOTE: Disabling the Wi-Fi activation deactivates the Wi-Fi access point and interrupts any active Wi-Fi connection.
Infrastructure activation	Displayed when Wi-Fi activation is enabled and saved. Used to enable the capability to connect to an existing infrastructure (enabled by default). The infrastructure settings are displayed and editable when Infrastructure Activation is enabled. NOTE: Activating both Wi-Fi infrastructure and the Wi-Fi access point may result in some instability on the Wi-Fi network.
Antenna (Universal and Advanced models)	When Wi-Fi is enabled, used to set the type of antenna used: Internal (default setting) External

Parameter

Description

Wi-Fi activation

Used to enable/disable Wi-Fi.

NOTE: Disabling the Wi-Fi activation deactivates the Wi-Fi access point and interrupts any active Wi-Fi connection.

Infrastructure activation

Displayed when Wi-Fi activation is enabled and saved.

Used to enable the capability to connect to an existing infrastructure (enabled by default). The infrastructure settings are displayed and editable when Infrastructure Activation is enabled.

NOTE: Activating both Wi-Fi infrastructure and the Wi-Fi access point may result in some instability on the Wi-Fi network.

Antenna (Universal and Advanced models)

When Wi-Fi is enabled, used to set the type of antenna used:

Internal (default setting)
External

Infrastructure Settings

The following parameters are displayed only when the parameter Infrastructure Activation is enabled.

Parameter	Description
Connection status	Shows the Panel Server connection status to Wi-Fi network: Connected Not Connected NOTE: If the Wi-Fi network is temporarily out of service, the Panel Server connects to the Wi-Fi network again within three minutes after network recovery.
SSID	Used to select the Wi-Fi network name by typing it in the field or displayed when double-clicked in Network list. IMPORTANT: It is recommended to use WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access version 2) (or WPA3 if available) for wireless network security. NOTE: Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) is not supported.
Authentication key	Used to enter the authentication key for Wi-Fi network.
Network list	Used to select a Wi-Fi network. The SSID field is automatically filled with the corresponding data by double-clicking the network name. For each network name in the list, the following information is displayed: A Wi-Fi strength indicator icon A lock icon if a password is required to connect to the network

Wi-Fi Infrastructure IP Settings

The following parameters are displayed only when the parameter Infrastructure activation is enabled.

Parameter	Description
Interface status	Shows the status of the Wi-Fi interface.
MAC address	Shows the Media Access Control (MAC) address. Setting not editable.

IPv6 Settings

The following parameters are displayed only when the parameter Infrastructure activation is enabled.

Parameter	Description
IPv6 activation	Used to enable/disable the IPv6 configuration (enabled by default). NOTE: When IPv6 is activated in addition to IPv4 (always enabled), the ports will respond to upstream requests from an edge system on IPv6 address. NOTE: When IPv6 activation is enabled, the parameters described below are displayed.
IPv6 local link address	Displays the auto-generated link-local IPv6 address. NOTE: Displayed when the parameter IPv6 activation is enabled.
IPv6 assignment mode	Used to select the IPv6 assignment mode: Select Auto (default setting) to obtain IPv6 parameters automatically (DHCP or SLAAC). Select Static to enter the IPv6 address manually.
IPv6 address	Used to enter the static IP address of the Panel Server when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. You can enter a unique local address, or a global address. Displays the IP address automatically obtained when IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.
IPv6 prefix length	Enter the IPv6 address prefix length as an integer between 1 and 128 when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv6 address prefix length as an integer between 1 and 128 when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.
IPv6 gateway	Used to enter manually the gateway (router) IP address when the parameter IPv6 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv6 gateway address automatically obtained when IPv6 assignment mode is set to Auto.

IPv4 Settings

Parameter	Description
IPv4 assignment mode	Used to select the IPv4 assignment mode: Select DHCP (default setting) to obtain IPv4 parameters automatically. Select Static to enter the IPv4 address manually.
IPv4 address	Used to enter the static IP address of the Panel Server when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IP address automatically obtained when IPv4 assignment mode is set to DHCP.
IPv4 netmask	Used to enter the netmask address of your network when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static. Displays the IPv4 netmask automatically obtained when IPv4 assignment mode is set to DHCP. NOTE: When Wi-Fi is activated, the Wi-Fi configuration takes precedence over the Ethernet IP configuration. IMPORTANT: Use a different netmask for Wi-Fi from the netmask used for Ethernet to avoid connectivity issues on the Panel Server.
IPv4 gateway assignment mode	The gateway configuration is the same as the IPv4 assignment mode setting and is not editable: DHCP Static
IPv4 gateway	Used to enter manually the gateway (router) IP address when the parameter IPv4 assignment mode is set to Static.