Helmholz REX 100 User manual

Helmholz GmbH & Co. KG | Hannberger Weg 2 | 91091 Großenseebach | Germany 16.04.2021
Phone [phone] | Fax [phone] | [e-mail] | www.helmholz.de
Quick Start Guide
REX 100 Router
Order numbers: 700-875-WAN01
700-875-LTE01 | 700-875-LTE11
700-875-LTE51 | 700-875-LTE61
700-875-WIF01 | 700-875-WIF51
from firmware V 2.0.8
Version
en
9

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Content
1Safety instructions ................................................................................................ 4
2Introduction to the function of the REX 100......................................................... 4
3Prepare and Connection....................................................................................... 5
3.1 Power supply ............................................................................................................................... 5
3.2 Terminals and Interfaces ............................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Installation position/minimum clearances..................................................................................... 6
3.4 Digital inputs/outputs IO1 and IO2 .............................................................................................. 6
3.4.1 Inputs....................................................................................................................................... 6
3.4.2 Outputs.................................................................................................................................... 6
3.5 REX 100 WAN ............................................................................................................................... 7
3.6 Antenna connection ..................................................................................................................... 7
3.6.1 REX 100 WiFi............................................................................................................................. 7
3.6.2 REX 100 LTE (4G)...................................................................................................................... 7
3.7 REX 100 LTE + WAN und REX 100 WiFi + WAN .............................................................................. 8
3.8 Boot process................................................................................................................................. 8
4Access to the myREX24 V2 portal ......................................................................... 9
4.1 Registration .................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 Logging in to the myREX24 V2 portal server ............................................................................... 10
4.3 Navigation in the portal.............................................................................................................. 10
4.4 Simple and extended views ........................................................................................................ 10
5Initial router-configuration via the myREX24 V2 portal......................................11
5.1 Creating a new project ............................................................................................................... 11
5.2 Creating a new device ................................................................................................................ 12
5.3 Configure REX 100 (connection data) ......................................................................................... 12
5.4 Step 1 “Device” – Selection of the type and name ...................................................................... 13
5.5 Step 2 “Internet” – Network settings .......................................................................................... 13
5.6 Step 3 “Configuration” – Coupling/pairing the router with the portal........................................ 14
6Router configuration transfer options ................................................................ 14
6.1 Transferring the configuration using a USB flash drive ................................................................ 15
6.2 Synchronization.......................................................................................................................... 16
7Connection to the machine network .................................................................. 17
8Tips and tricks ....................................................................................................18
8.1 Checking the device status ......................................................................................................... 18

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8.2VPN port and China gateway...................................................................................................... 19
8.3 Diagnostics page ........................................................................................................................ 20
8.4 Is a MAC address filter activated in the firewall? .......................................................................... 20
8.5 Is the connection established over a proxy? ................................................................................ 21
8.6 Device configuration: Services –NTP server................................................................................ 21
8.7 Device configuration: Services –Mail settings............................................................................. 21
8.8 Mobile connection is interrupted................................................................................................ 21
9Remote maintenance of Ethernet CPUs ..............................................................22
9.1 Device settings: Services –Firewall –SNAT ................................................................................. 22
9.2 Search over IP............................................................................................................................. 22
10 Description of LEDs and buttons......................................................................23
10.1 Function and status LEDs in normal operation ............................................................................ 23
10.2 RJ45 network LEDs...................................................................................................................... 23
10.3 Buttons....................................................................................................................................... 23
10.4 myREX24 V2 portal LEDs ............................................................................................................ 24
11 Restoring the REX 100 router to its default settings ........................................24
12 Load configuration/firmware update from USB stick....................................... 25
13 Technical data .................................................................................................26
13.1 REX 100 WAN ............................................................................................................................. 26
13.2 REX 100 WiFi .............................................................................................................................. 27
13.3 REX 100 LTE Europe/Asia ............................................................................................................ 28
13.4 REX 100 LTE north America versions / „NAG“ ............................................................................. 29

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1Safety instructions
Target audience
This description is only intended for trained personnel qualified in control and automation
engineering who are familiar with the applicable national standards. For installation, commis-
sioning, and operation of the components, compliance with the instructions and explanations
in this operating manual is essential. The specialist personnel is to ensure that the application
or the use of the products described fulfills all safety requirements, including all applicable laws, regula-
tions, provisions, and standards.
Intended use
The device has a protection rating of IP 20 (open type) and must be installed in an electrical
operating room or a control box/cabinet in order to protect it against environmental influ-
ences. To prevent unauthorized operation, the doors of control boxes/cabinets must be closed
and possibly locked during operation. The consequences of improper use may include per-
sonal injury to the user or third parties, as well as property damage to the control system, the product, or
the environment. Use the device only as intended!
Operation
Successful and safe operation of the device requires proper transport, storage, setup, assem-
bly, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. Operate the device only in flaw-
less condition. The permissible operating conditions and performance limits (technical data)
must be adhered to. Retrofits, changes, or modifications to the device are strictly forbidden.
Security
The device is a network infrastructure component and therefore an important element in the
security consideration of a plant. When using the device, therefore, observe the relevant rec-
ommendations to prevent unauthorized access to installations and systems. Further infor-
mation on this can be found in the device manual.
Information
This document explains the initial commissioning of the REX 100 Router. The latest version of
the document and a detailed manual can be found at www.helmholz.de or scan the QR code
directly.
2Introduction to the function of the REX 100
The REX 100 is an industrial router suitable for worldwide remote access (depending
on the REX variant) to IPv4-capable end devices (PLC, HMI, IP cameras, etc.). This
Quick Start Guide explains the basic settings in the myREX24 V2 portal and shows
how to transfer the configuration made there to the REX 100 unit.
No integration into a PLC engineering tool by means of a GSDML file is necessary and
system states can be viewed and diagnoses can be carried out on the password-
protected website of the device.

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Internet access and a valid account for the myREX24 portal are required for the configuration. The free of
charge software shDIALUP for Windows operating systems is available to you by downloading from
www.helmholz.de.
We recommend using the current version (from V3.7R1.0) of the "shDIALUP" client software for
commissioning. For a successful and secure connection to the myREX24 V2 portal, the firmware
status of all REX 100 routers should be checked regularly and, if necessary, updated with the help of
the system settings in your myREX24 account.
3Prepare and Connection
Depending on the REX variant, the LAN ports P1 to P4 or P2 to P4 are available for connection to the
machine network. Internal switch functions are active even if the REX 100 router is not connected to the
Internet.
For devices with a modem, antennas available as accessories and a mini-SIM card (except for Wi-Fi vari-
ants) are required for access to a GSM net-
work. This serves the purpose of identifica-
tion for the network operator. The insert is
found on the left housing side. In order to
unlock and remove the insert, please press
the recessed yellow button next to the card
reader. Please use the supplied tool (SIM card
ejector) for this.
When selecting a mobile phone contract, please use a standard mobile phone data tariff. Please
avoid IoT tariffs, because these are often only designed for small amounts of data or low transmis-
sion speeds.
3.1 Power supply
The REX 100 must be supplied with 24 V DC at the 18 ... 30 V DC wide-range input via the supplied con-
nector.
The housing of the REX 100 is not earthed. Please make sure to connect the functional earthing con-
nection (FE) of the device to the reference potential of your control cabinet or system structure in order
to ensure correct ESD derivation of the antenna and network sockets.
3.2 Terminals and Interfaces
Rigid copper wires with a max. diameter of 1.5 mm² can be clamped onto the provided connector plug.
Network cables corresponding to at least category 5/5e (CAT-5) should be connected to the RJ-45 sockets.

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3.3 Installation position/minimum clearances
The router was designed to be mounted on DIN rails (as per DIN EN 50 022) and intended for installation
in switch cabinets. Installation and mounting must take place in accordance with VDE 0100/IEC 364.
The router can be installed in any position.
It is recommended that minimum clearances to neighboring assemblies are observed during assembly. If
the distances 30 mm on the top and on bottom and 10 mm on each side are maintained, easy access to
the connections and contact options on the router is possible without having to remove other system
parts. In addition, there should always be enough space for the necessary cable routing.
3.4 Digital inputs/outputs IO1 and IO2
The bidirectional connections IO 1 and IO2 can - independently of one another –be configured as digital
inputs (standard setting) or as digital outputs.
3.4.1 Inputs
The alarm inputs can be activated
with potential-free switches, buttons
or relay contacts. IN1 can, for exam-
ple, be used for the VPN establishing
of connection with the myREX24
portal. An alarm can be triggered
with the IN2.
Example wiring of the inputs:
3.4.2 Outputs
When selecting for the output circuit,
the REX can provide the status of an
active Internet, VPN or user portal
connection as a signal. Each output
can have a max. 0.5A (@ 24 V).
Example wiring of the outputs:
The parameterization is carried out via the alarm management in the myREX24 V2 portal. Alternatively,
the input and output functions could also be displayed in a dashboard using the data point functions.
When using outputs O1 and O2, the corresponding input signals I1 and I2 assume the respective
output status and can themselves no longer be used externally for other alarm input signals.

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3.5 REX 100 WAN
Connect the WAN interface of the REX 100 (P1 WAN) with a patch cable with the higher level (compa-
ny) network/router. 4 LAN ports are available for connection to the machine network and for commis-
sioning via PC.
3.6 Antenna connection
Only connect antennas that are included in the Helmholz accessories and ensure prior to installation
that the antenna is positioned in such a way that the modems receive a permanent radio signal to a
WLAN access point or can connect to an adequate 4G mobile network. Also be sure to follow the instruc-
tions from the technical data sheets of the antenna manufacturer and do not install these into metal
housings (e.g., control cabinet).
3.6.1 REX 100 WiFi
The WLAN radio module only works in the 2.4 GHz range and it must be ensured that the required inter-
net connection can be established via an existing access point in the (company) network. The required
WLAN antenna is connected to the RP-SMA socket. The 4 LAN ports are then available for connection to
the machine network and for commissioning/diagnosis via PC.
3.6.2 REX 100 LTE (4G)
For radio reception, a suitable antenna must at least be screwed
onto the SMA socket “MAIN”.
In order to improve the data throughput, a second antenna termi-
nal is available on the REX 100 LTE router with the SMA socket
“Rx” that can be used as an option. This functionality is called an-
tenna diversity in the “WCDMA mode” and Downlink-MIMO in
the “LTE mode”.
The second receiver antenna should not be located in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the main antenna. In order to improve the diversity
gain and reduce other reciprocal interactions (interference effects),
the two antennas should be (taking the space available in the ap-
plication into account) installed with the greatest possible distance
between them.
For the same reason, the second antenna should be mounted cross-polarized (rotated by 90° in relation to
the main antenna).

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3.7 REX 100 LTE + WAN und REX 100 WiFi + WAN
With this device variant, a failover can be parameter-
ized in the configuration if required (see chapter 5.5).
For this application, connect the WAN interface (P1
WAN) of the REX 100 with a patch cable to the high-
er-level (company) network/router. 3 LAN ports are
available for connection to the machine network
and for commissioning via PC.
Furthermore, the requirements from points 3 and 3.6
must be met. The VPN connection is primarily im-
plemented via the WAN interface. If the connection
is not established or is interrupted, the REX 100 au-
tomatically switches to the appropriate wireless con-
nection. As soon as WAN is available again, it
switches back.
Connection examples REX 100:
3.8 Boot process
The PWR LED lights up when the 24-volt supply voltage is applied. The boot process starts following the
internal system check, which is indicated by the blinking RDY LED. The REX 100 is ready for operation as
soon as the PWR LED and RDY LED light up continuously (duration: approx. 90 sec.).
The 4G products 700-875-LTE01 and 700-875-LTE51 are intended for use in Europe and Asia. For
use in North America, please use the "NAG" variants 700-875-LTE11 or 700-875-LTE61. Before
using an LTE router, please compare the LTE frequency bands of the selected device with the support-
ed frequency bands of the provider in the country of use.
If you have any further questions on this issue, our technical sales team will be happy to help you.

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4Access to the myREX24 V2 portal
The complete configuration of the REX 100 takes place via the myREX24 V2 portal. A secure connection
to the portal is required for this:
The shDIALUP remote client software enables you to administrate the myREX24 V2 portal and realize a
VPN tunnel to a REX router. The software (shDIALUP) can be found in the download area at
www.helmholz.de. There you can also download more documents with additional information at any
time.
Alternatively, you can create the REX configuration with an HTTPS-secured direct call from your
browser. The call is possible via the following URL: https://v2.myREX24.net. However, it is not possible
to realize a VPN remote maintenance via the browser.
Always use your myREX24 V2 account data to log in.
4.1 Registration
You should only register at www.myREX24.net if you do not yet have a myREX24 V2 portal account or
have not received user access from a myREX24 account administrator.
Fill out the required fields there. After your data is checked by our service team (Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. CET), you will receive two separate e-mails with the access data.
One e-mail contains the username, and the second the password.

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4.2 Logging in to the myREX24 V2 portal server
Install the shDIALUP software with administrative rights under a Windows operating system. After open-
ing the program, select the “V2.myREX24.net” server in the top menu bar and then log in to the
myREX24 V2 portal with your access data.
Your login name can be comprised of your username and company name separated by the @ symbol,
for example: admin@helmholz
Following the initial login, you will be prompted to register a new, individual password for your account.
As the account administrator, you can create and administer additional users after logging in to the
myREX24 V2 portal if necessary.
4.3 Navigation in the portal
Once a user has logged in for the first time, he or she is
guided through a tutorial. Navigation, basic settings and
switching from the simple view to the extended view are
shown.
4.4 Simple and extended views
You can choose between the two views in the menu
interface of the myREX24 V2 portal. The “simple
view” is active the first time you log in. You can
switch to the “extended view” at any time without changes being lost or losing their validity.
The simple view is mainly used throughout the rest of this Quick Start Guide. The extended view is also
presented in some places for purposes of illustration.

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5Initial router-configuration via the myREX24 V2 portal
The following information describes the basic configuration steps required to set up a REX router for a
VPN connection. A description of the extended functions can be found in the online help or in the man-
uals/white papers.
You can go to the online help in the myREX24 V2 portal using the question mark symbol in the lower
left-hand area of the screen.
When you log in for the first time, the myREX24 portal guides you through a brief tutorial. It is recom-
mended to re-issue the password for your myREX24 account once in accordance with the tutorial.
5.1 Creating a new project
A project is the highest level for carrying out the following tasks:
-- Device administration
-- Remote maintenance
-- Monitoring and alarms
-- Data logging
-- Visualizations
Initially, at least one new project must be created in which a router is assigned. Navigate to the Admin-
istration section by using the marked symbol (the tutorial also brings you to this point).

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A unique project name is now issued in this menu. Additional account users, if created, can be assigned
to this project on the “Access” tab.
5.2 Creating a new device
A router can be added to the tree structure using the green plus symbol or with a right-click of the mouse.
If a project does not yet have a router, the same function is made available in the main view by way of the
green button “Create new device”.
Clicking the respective button starts the configuration assistant, which guides the user through the set-
tings.
5.3 Configure REX 100 (connection data)
Three simple steps are enough for minimal configuration of the router.
-Selection of the device type
-Network settings
-Transfer of the configuration to the REX router

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5.4 Step 1 “Device” – Selection of the type and name
In the first step, the correct device type (matching the device order number) must be selected. A unique,
freely selectable name should be assigned to this router.
Only numbers and letters may be used (0 to 9, A to Z, a to z and no spaces or special characters).
5.5 Step 2 “Internet” – Network settings
In Step 2, the network configuration for the LAN, WAN and, depending on the version, the LTE cellular
or the WiFi settings must be defined.
LAN All REX 100 routers come with the IP address 192.168.0.100/24 as a default. If necessary, mod-
ify the IP address and subnet mask according to the specifications from the machine network
to be maintained remotely.
WAN The required information for the DHCP or static IP settings is provided by the respective net-
work administrator. DHCP is preset at the factory.
Modem The parameters for the APN access point (Access Point Name) of the card provider and the
correct SIM PIN must be available to you and be stored here. There are already several provid-
ers available for selection (sorted by country). In the event that the correct provider is not pre-
sent, this can also be entered manually.
WLAN Enter the Wi-Fi-specific access data. The corresponding data provides you with the responsible
network administrator.
If you use DHCP, make sure that the DHCP server does not assign an IP address the WAN interface
that is already active on the LAN side. IP addresses from two different subnets must be assigned to
each router’s LAN and WAN interfaces.

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Examples: LAN network settings, WLAN or APN access data and download
5.6 Step 3 “Configuration” – Coupling/pairing the router with the portal
In step 3, the basic settings of a minimum configuration for the REX 100 are now stored in your portal
account and must now be transferred to the device. By clicking on the download button (here marked in
red), the configuration file is downloaded from the portal server and can then be transferred to the REX
router using a FAT-formatted USB stick.
We recommend the “Download configuration to PC” variant for the initial configuration.
6Router configuration transfer options
Newly created or subsequently modified device configurations can be transferred to the REX 100 in a
variety of ways.

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1. Download configuration to PC (via USB flash drive). The configuration file is saved on the PC and
can subsequently be transferred to the REX 100 using a USB stick (subsequent procedure described
in chapter 6.1).
2. Synchronize (recommended for subsequent modifications). If the router has already been config-
ured and a connection with the portal is established, each subsequent change to the configuration
can be carried out via the existing VPN remote connection (further procedure described in Section
6.2).
3. Transfer configuration to the device (with LAN connection, only possible via shDIALUP). For this
configuration option, the REX 100 must be accessible directly in the LAN from the PC. The PC
must also be logged in on the Internet via the shDIALUP dial-up client using your myREX24 ac-
count at the same time.
The transfer via USB stick (point 1) is explained in this Quick Start Guide, and how retroactive changes
can be transferred via the function “Synchronization” (Point 2).
6.1 Transferring the configuration using a USB flash drive
Ensure that the power supply is connected to the REX 100. Download the configuration file provided
through the myREX24 portal to the FAT-formatted USB flash drive connected to your PC using the
download symbol.
The myrex24.mbn(x) configuration file must be stored in the root directory of your USB flash drive
and may not be renamed.
Now carry out the steps described in chapter 12 “Load configuration/ firmware update from the USB
stick”.

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6.2 Synchronization
As soon as the REX 100 has logged into your account in the portal, you can transfer subsequent changes
at any time with “Synchronize”. Where there is an existing myREX24-V2 portal connection, the REX 100
checks cyclically whether there is a new configuration available for its serial number and then loads it
automatically.
As soon as you have modified and saved one or more parameters, a gray exclamation mark symbol ap-
pears next to the in green animated online LED with the tooltip: "Device configuration not up to date".
Click this symbol (or the "Synchronize" button) to start the process.
Synchronization in the simplified view:
Synchronization in the extended view :

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The synchronization function is confirmed through the following dialog:
In this menu, you can select optional user-defined settings, such as the sending of infor-
mation/confirmation mails.
The REX router now accepts the new settings and restarts automatically. As soon as the boot process has
concluded, the REX router logs into the portal again.
7Connection to the machine network
The following steps presume that the REX 100 has already been configured and that you have suc-
cessfully logged into your account with shDIALUP. A secure VPN connection to the end device can-
not be implemented via the browser view (https://v2.myREX24.net).
Logged-in REX 100 routers are identified with a green circle in the dashboard. The secure VPN connec-
tion between the PC and REX router is not established until the connection button is clicked.
Effective immediately, you can view the setup of your REX router and the functional
overview of the myREX24 V2 portal very easily online.
https://youtu.be/r4KxlV-VgdY
Video tutorial (3:22 min.)

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The active connection status to the REX 100 is represented by an animated orange connection button.
The number of active connections made using this account is shown with details in the menu bar.
Once the VPN connection to the REX 100 has been established, all the IPv4 packets valid for the applica-
ble LAN network on the system side will be forwarded. The parameters (port, VPN IP, LAN IP etc.) used
for this connection are also shown with details in the status bar at the bottom.
To end a remote access connection, click the orange animated connection button and then confirm dis-
connection of the remote connection.
8Tips and tricks
8.1 Checking the device status
The device status website of the REX 100 shows the connection status and the active configuration data
of the router. To this purpose, the REX 100 must be accessible in the LAN, meaning that the TCP/IP ad-
dress of a PC must be in the same IP subnet. To this purpose, enter the LAN IP address of the REX 100 into
the address bar of a browser.
Authenticate yourself with the standard
user: helmholz and the
password: router

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By clicking on one of the green info symbols in the status fields, you can view further information on
each step of the connection.
If the website of the REX 100 is not accessible, please check the corresponding setting in the
myREX24 portal. Make sure that there are no address space conflicts with any other network inter-
faces (do not assign the same IP address more than once) in order to be able to communicate with the
REX 100.
8.2 VPN port and China gateway
By default, the REX 100 tries to establish an outgoing VPN connection via port 1194 (TCP) to the address
https://vpn-v2.myrex24.net (5.39.123.21).
If necessary, the alternative ports 80 or 443 can be set (device management: "Services" -> "VPN" -> "VPN
Port").
Please clarify all details about the settings in advance with your local IT department. In order to be able to
establish a secure connection to the myREX24 V2 server with shDIALUP or the REX 100, at least one of
the following TCP ports (80, 1194 or 443) must be enabled for the VPN tunnel in the customer firewall.

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China gateway: By default, no gateway is set!
If the REX Router is used in China, the Gateway “China –Shenzhen Datacenter” can be selected.
URL: vpncn-v2.myrex24.net
IPv4 Adresse: 43.247.70.163 ((if name resolution does not work).
Do not use the China Gateway outside China!
8.3 Diagnostics page
In the event of irregularities or interruptions when establishing the connection, the diagnostics page can
provide troubleshooting assistance. In the event of an error, Helmholz technical support requires the
respective result from the individual and autonomous test functions.
8.4 Is a MAC address filter activated in the firewall?
It may be necessary to approve the MAC address of the REX 100 in the higher-level DSL modem or the
firewall. Should it not be possible to establish a connection, please ask the responsible network adminis-
trator whether such a MAC address filter has been activated.