Set Up Ping Detection on Robustel Routers | Guide

How to Set up Ping Detection

Overview

This guide explains setting up cellular ping detection on a Robustel device when a router must identify a stalled upstream connection even though the cellular interface still appears connected. It covers how to choose targets, detection intervals, failure thresholds and a recovery action. The key takeaway is that effective ping detection balances fast recovery against false triggers caused by a single unreachable server.

Why Ping Detection is Critical

Ping detection serves as an essential keep-alive mechanism for your RCMS (Remote Cloud Monitoring Solution) connectivity. This feature:
  1. Actively monitors real-time connectivity to the RCMS platform
  2. Identifies network disconnections immediately
  3. Initiates automatic reconnection procedures when communication fails
  4. Ensures accurate device status reporting
  5. Maintains system reliability and data integrity

Problems Prevented

Without proper ping detection, several critical issues can arise:
  1. "Ghost" devices appearing as connected in RCMS when actually offline
  2. Missed alerts and notifications
  3. Inaccurate device status reporting
  4. Delayed fault detection and response
  5. Unreliable monitoring data

Detailed Configuration Steps

1. Accessing the Configuration

  1. Login to your device's web interface
  2. Navigate through: Interface > Link Manager > WWAN1 settings
  3. Locate the Ping Detection Settings section

2. Basic Settings Configuration

  1. Enable/Disable: Set to "ON"
  2. Interval: 1800 seconds (maximum value). Defines how often the system should check connectivity
  3. Retry Interval: 5 seconds. Is wait time between retry attempts
  4. Timeout: 3 seconds. Period for a response before considering it failed
  5. Timeout Unit: Second(s)
  6. Max Ping Tries: 3. The maximum number of retry attempts

3. IPv4 Configuration

  1. Enable IPv4 Ping Detection
  2. Primary Server: Set to your RCMS Stack IP address
  3. Secondary Server (Optional): Configure with another reliable internal IP such as:
  4. Another RCMS server IP
  5. A stable SIM card IP from your private network
  6. Internal NTP server IP
  7. Any other reliable internal service IP

4. IPv6 Configuration

  1. Disable IPv6 under General Settings
  2. Leave IPv6 ping detection settings at their defaults
  3. Note: IPv6 settings will not affect operation when IPv6 is disabled

Best Practices

  1. Server Selection
  2. Always use servers within your private APN network
  3. Prioritize RCMS platform IPs as primary servers
  4. Select secondary servers that have confirmed 100% uptime
  5. Verify all IPs are part of your allowed endpoints

Configuration Maintenance

  1. Never disable ping detection once configured
  2. Regularly verify ping detection status
  3. Monitor system logs for any ping failures
  4. Keep backup server IPs updated

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Ping Detection Fails

  1. Verify server IP addresses are correct and within your private APN
  2. Check if target servers are in your allowed endpoints list
  3. Confirm APN firewall rules allow ICMP traffic
  4. Review system logs for specific error messages
  5. Verify network coverage and signal strength

Network Considerations

  1. Ensure stable network connectivity
  2. Monitor data usage if relevant to your plan
  3. Check for any network restrictions or firewalls
  4. Verify APN settings are correct

Important Notes

  1. Keep ping detection enabled at all times
  2. Regular communication checks maintain accurate device status
  3. The system will automatically attempt reconnection after failed pings
  4. Monitor system logs periodically for any connection issues
  5. Update server IPs if your RCMS infrastructure changes

Support and Maintenance

  1. Document any changes made to the configuration
  2. Keep a record of working settings
  3. Maintain a list of reliable server IPs
  4. Regularly verify ping detection is functioning correctly
  5. Monitor system performance after any configuration changes
Remember: Proper ping detection configuration is crucial for maintaining reliable connectivity between your devices and the RCMS platform. It's not just a feature - it's a critical component of your monitoring infrastructure.

Conclusion

To complete setting up cellular ping detection on a Robustel device, verify that normal traffic produces stable successful checks and a simulated upstream failure causes the expected recovery behavior. This helps restore service automatically when the mobile data path stops passing traffic.