Digi EX15 User manual

Digi EX15
User Guide

Revision history 90002344
Revision Date Decription
A April 2019 Initial release of the Digi EX15 User Guide.
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Digi, Digi International, and the Digi logo are trademarks or registered trademarks in the United
States and other countries worldwide. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the
property of their respective owners.
© 2019 Digi International Inc. All rights reserved.
Disclaimers
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a
commitment on the part of Digi International. Digi provides this document “as is,” without warranty of
any kind, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness or
merchantability for a particular purpose. Digi may make improvements and/or changes in this manual
or in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this manual at any time.
Warranty
To view product warranty information, go to the following website:
www.digi.com/howtobuy/terms
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Digi EX15 User Guide 2

Contents
Welcome
Package contents 7
Hardware features 10
Plug-in LTE modem 11
Device status LEDs 12
LTE status indicators 13
Signal strength indicators 14
Signal bars explained 14
Initial setup
Site survey 17
Site survey troubleshooting 17
Physical installation 18
Connecting to the site network with local power 18
Connecting to the site network with remote power 18
Remote power troubleshooting 19
Network integration 20
Default settings 21
Configuring the device 21
Network managed configuration 21
Local configuration 22
Local device management 22
Define a custom APN 22
Enable router mode 23
Serial port setup
Connecting the serial ports 25
Serial port pinout and use 26
Getting started with aView
About aView 28
Viewing and editing group configurations 28
Upgrading firmware 28
Using remote commands 29
Learning more 29
Digi EX15 User Guide 3

Digi EX15 User Guide 4
Custom-settings
Network managed configuration 31
Local configuration 31
Dual-WAN configurations
About dual WAN configuration 33
Failover 33
Connectivity monitoring 33
Carrier Smart Select 34
Load balancing 34
Interface configuration
Changing the LAN subnet 37
Creating new interfaces 38
Wi-Fi options
About Wi-Fi configuration 40
Client mode 40
Wi-Fi as WAN 40
Firewall settings
Port forwarding 43
Packet filtering 43
Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
About VRRP 45
Configuring VRRP 45
Troubleshooting
Terminal on unit 47
Using Terminal on Unit link 48
Data usage estimates 49
AT command access 50
Resetting your device 51
Out-of-band SMS commands 51
Support report 52
Persistent system logs 52
LTE troubleshooting tree 54

Digi EX15 User Guide 5
FAQs
Regulatory guide
End user license agreement
Accessing Admin CLI
Using the Terminal on a Unit link 67
Direct ssh access 67
Command breakdown 68
Antenna notes and solutions
Antenna terminology 70
Physical specifications 71
Antennas tested by Digi 72
Extra-small IoT paddle antennas 73
Large external MIMO antenna (outdoor rated) 74
Flat MIMO antenna #1 75
Flat MIMO antenna #2 76
Paddle extender 77

Welcome
Package contents 7
Hardware features 10
Plug-in LTE modem 11
Device status LEDs 12
LTE status indicators 13
Signal strength indicators 14
Signal bars explained 14
Digi EX15 User Guide 6

Package contents
Item Description
Digi EX15 unit
Digi 1002-CM unit
Note The 1002-CM unit included in your box may be
branded for Digi Accelerated rather than for Digi.
CM unit anchor screws
n1 Phillips head
n1 hex head
CM unit cover plate
Cellular antennas (2)
Digi EX15 User Guide 7

Welcome Package contents
Digi EX15 User Guide 8
Item Description
Power supply
Temporary battery pack
Ethernet cables:
n1 x 18 inch
n1 x 156 inch
Passive power-over-Ethernet injector

Welcome Package contents
Digi EX15 User Guide 9
Item Description
Mounting bracket
Ceiling rail clips, narrow (2)
Ceiling rail clips, wide (2)
Screws (2)
Drywall anchors (2)
Zipties (2)

Welcome Hardware features
Digi EX15 User Guide 10
Hardware features
1. LAN/PoE Port
2. WAN Port
3. SIM Button
The SIM button is used to manually toggle between the two SIM slots included in the CM
module.
4. Serial Port
5. Erase Button
The Erase button is used to perform a device reset, and it has three modes:
a. Configuration reset: Pressing the Erase button one time will reset the device
configurations to the factory default. It will not remove any automatically
generated certificates and keys.
b. Full device reset: After the device reboots from the first button press, press the
Erase button again before the device is connected to the internet to also remove
generated certificates/keys.
c. Firmware reversion: Press and hold the ERASE button and then power on the
device to boot to the version of firmware that was used prior to the current version.
6. Power Socket

Welcome Plug-in LTE modem
Digi EX15 User Guide 11
7. LTE connection indicator
8. LTE signal strength
9. LAN/WAN indicator
10. SIM 1/2 indicator
Plug-in LTE modem
There is a label on the bottom of the Digi EX15 that indicates the plug-in modem IMEI number.
(The modem is referred to as the Digi 1002-CM.)
Verify the IMEI number is an exact match to that on the plug-in modem itself, as well as the label on
the device's packaging.
1. Identify the SIM 1 and SIM 2 slots. If using only one SIM card, insert it into SIM 1. A second SIM
may be inserted into slot SIM 2 for an alternate wireless carrier.

Welcome Device status LEDs
Digi EX15 User Guide 12
2. With the antennas SMA connectors pointing outward, slide the Digi 1002-CM modem into the
Digi EX15 cellular extender. A clicking sound will indicate it is properly inserted.
3. Slide the white plastic plate over the antenna connectors to cover the plug-in modem as
shown; it will clip into place.
4. Affix the cellular antennas to the two connectors protruding from the device.
Note Be sure to use the plate with the cut outs for the antenna connectors.
To remove the plug-in LTE modem, pinch the two vertical sides of the white clip (as shown below) and
slide out the modem.
Device status LEDs
Once power has been established, your device will initialize and attempt to connect to the network.
Device initialization may take 30-60 seconds. By default your Digi EX15 will attempt to use DHCP to
establish an Internet connection either through its cellular modem or the ethernet port .
1. Cellular connectivity status is indicated by the color-coded LTE light.
2. Indicator lights on the Wireless Strength Indicator show you the cellular network signal
strength.
3. Ethernet connections are confirmed via the light corresponding to the Digi EX15 port number.

Welcome LTE status indicators
Digi EX15 User Guide 13
LTE status indicators

Welcome Signal strength indicators
Digi EX15 User Guide 14
Signal strength indicators
The weighted dBm measurements are negative numbers, meaning the smaller negative values
denote a larger number. So, for example, a -85 is a better signal than -90.
Note For more information regarding how signal strength is calculated and subsequently displayed via
the LED indicators, refer to Signal bars explained.
Signal bars explained
The LTE signal status bars are calculated using various algorithms based on the network type it is
connected to. For 4G LTE, the RSRP, SNR, and RSSI values are all factored in to determine the
reported signal strength bars. For 3G networks (including HSPA+) and 2G networks, the signal
strength bars are determined by the RSSI value.
4G LTE algorithm
Determine RSRP, SNR, and RSSI values separately, using the following
RSRP > -85, rsrp_bars=5
-95 < RSRP <= -85, rsrp_bars=4
-105 < RSRP <= -95, rsrp_bars=3
-115 < RSRP <= -105, rsrp_bars=2
-199 < RSRP <= -115, if we're connected to the cellular network, rsrp_bars=1,
if not rsrp_bars=0
If RSRP <= -199, then use RSSI as the value and run it through the same algorithm described above.
SNR >= 13, snr_bars=5
4.5 <= SNR < 13, snr_bars=4
1 <= SNR < 4, snr_bars=3

Welcome Signal bars explained
Digi EX15 User Guide 15
-3 < SNR < 1, snr_bars=2
-99 < SNR <= -3, if we're connected to the cellular network, snr_bars=1, if not
snr_bars=0
Once the snr_bars and rsrp_bars are determined, use the lesser of the two. That is the reported
signal strength bars.
3G algorithm
Determine RSSI signal strength.
RSSI > -80, bars=5
-90 < RSSI <= -80, bars=4
-100 < RSSI <= -90, bars=3
-106 < RSSI <= -100, bars=2
RSSI <= -106, if we're connected to the cellular network, bars=1, if not bars=0
bars is then reported as the signal strength bars.
2G algorithm
Determine RSSI signal strength.
RSSI > -80, bars=5
-89 < RSSI <= -80, bars=4
-98 < RSSI <= -89, bars=3
-104 < RSSI <= -98, bars=2
RSSI <= -104, if we're connected to the cellular network, bars=1, if not bars=0
bars is then reported as the signal strength bars.

Initial setup
Site survey 17
Site survey troubleshooting 17
Physical installation 18
Network integration 20
Default settings 21
Configuring the device 21
Local device management 22
Define a custom APN 22
Enable router mode 23
Digi EX15 User Guide 16

Site survey
A cellular site survey is not necessary if your anticipated installation location is known to have strong
cellular signal strength. If you are unsure of available cellular signal strength or are choosing between
several installation locations, follow the below instructions to perform a site survey to determine your
best possible installation location. After the optimal location has been determined, set up the Digi
EX15 with either the power supply unit or the PoE injector cable.
1. During a site survey it is useful to use the included battery pack instead of the power supply
unit to power the Digi EX15. The battery pack will power your device for approximately two
hours while you perform your site survey. The battery pack is not rechargeable and should be
properly disposed of after use.
2. Move the Digi EX15 to different locations within your site to determine the best compromise
between signal strength and installation constraints. Since cellular signal strength may
fluctuate, it is important to wait at each location for 1 minute while observing the signal
strength indicator on the front of the device. Minimum cellular signal strength for proper
operation is 2 bars.
3. After the optimal location has been determined, remove the battery pack and connect either
the main power supply unit or PoE injector cable (see Physical installation).
Note After the optimal location has been determined, set up the Digi EX15 with either the power
supply unit or the PoE injector cable.
Site survey troubleshooting
If you are unable to verify a location with a strong cellular signal:
nVerify your SIM has been activated with your cellular operator.
nIf you do not get a cellular signal when the Digi EX15 is located indoors, then take the device
outdoors to verify that your cellular network operator has coverage in your location.
nIf the outdoor cellular signal strength is less than 2 bars, it may be necessary to connect using
a different cellular network operator. This requires an activated SIM from the alternate cellular
network operator.
nTry the device/antennas in different orientations and away from other nearby electronic
equipment at each test location.
Note LTE requires the use of both antennas & antennas will usually give better performance
when vertical.
nRefer to Device status LEDs to use the Digi EX15 indicator lights to aid in diagnosis.
Digi EX15 User Guide 17

Initial setup Physical installation
Digi EX15 User Guide 18
Physical installation
Connecting to the site network with local power
1. Plug the power supply unit into an AC power outlet
2. Connect the PSU to the Digi EX15.
Connecting to the site network with remote power
If your device needs to be positioned some distance from either the nearest AC power outlet or site
network equipment, using the included passive Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) injector will simplify the
installation cabling and allow for improved cellular signal strength. The POE injector cable allows the
DC power and Ethernet connection to be run to the Digi EX15 via the Ethernet connection only.

Initial setup Physical installation
Digi EX15 User Guide 19
1. Plug the power supply unit into an AC power outlet and connect to the PoE injector.
2. Connect the male RJ45 connector plug of the POE injector cable to the site network
equipment/router.
3. Connect a standard Ethernet cable from the RJ45 socket/jack on the POE injector cable,
(marked DC OUT), to the LAN/PoE Ethernet port of the Digi EX15.
Remote power troubleshooting
The LED marked IN will illuminate when the PoE injector is receiving power from the PSU. The LED
marked OUT lights up green when an Ethernet connection is recognized by the Digi EX15.
If the IN LED is not illuminated check the following:
nEnsure that the PSU is plugged into an AC power outlet and is receiving power.
nEnsure that the PSU power plug is correctly connected to the POE injector cable power input
socket.
If the OUT LED is not illuminated after connecting to the Digi EX15, verify the integrity of the Ethernet
cable.
Note The PoE injector must be connected to LAN port 1 on the Digi EX15 for the device to properly
receive power.

Initial setup Network integration
Digi EX15 User Guide 20
Network integration
Note The Digi EX15W is WiFi-enabled. The Digi EX15 does not offer WiFi capabilities.
A second internet connection must be available for cellular failover.
When integrating a second Internet connection for cellular failover, connect the alternative ISP to the
WAN port. This interface is configured for WAN access by default though ports can be reconfigured as
necessary.