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Network 101 - Providing Internet access for data loggers: Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA), Cloud Connect (CC), and Maximizer Management Unit (MMU).

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Jacob Jackson
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The Tigo Energy data loggers require an Internet network that is used to transfer data to servers in order to monitor solar panel production.

If you have a Firewall for your network, see the bottom of this article for the settings required.

Other helpful articles:

  1. Identifying Networking Devices.
  2. CCA and CC: Setting the WiFi Name and Password
  3. Cloud Connect: Wi-Fi settings using the control panel
  4. MMU: Ethernet Connection Configuration

This video contains information about different Network equipment and Troubleshooting:

 

How-To Trouble Shoot

There are three data loggers available from Tigo. The data logger model in use on your system may determine some troubleshooting steps. For example, the MMU does not have Wi-Fi support, only Ethernet.

Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA)

 Cloud Connect (CC)

Management Unit (MMU)
Tigo_12-15_202W-revised.jpg

 

Step 1: Identify  Network Equipment Used

Before proceeding further, it is necessary to identify the hardware components of the Tigo Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA), Cloud Connect, or Management Unit’s (MMU) network connection.

The wired network configuration involves a direct, hard-wired Ethernet cable to router connection:

  1. Network router
  2. Ethernet cable connected from router to CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU
  3. CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU

Non-standard network setups will sometimes include a third-party device known generically as a Wi-Fi Extender which is used to relay a Wi-Fi signal that is from a Wi-Fi Access Point/Router to a CCA.

Some networks may use a Power Line Communication Adapter in place of a home-run of Ethernet cable:

  1. Wi-Fi router
  2. Wireless Adapter (e.g. Netgear or Linksys)
  3. Ethernet cable connected from Adapter to CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU
  4. CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU

 

Step 2: Test Internet connectivity by running a Network Test:

For a CCA:

  1.  Install Tigo Smart App 3.1
  2. Look in Create and Edit System (Configure Communication)  to learn how how to connect to the CCA from your mobile device, and then how to configure the CCA to use the network, and how to then run a Network Test.

For a Cloud Connect or Maximizer Management Unit:

  1. Press MENU, then ENTER
  2. Use arrow keys to go to menu number 3. NETWORK; then press ENTER.
  3. Use arrow keys again to go to 3.2. TEST;  then press ENTER to start the test.

Test Message Descriptions and Checks

Message

Description

Corrective Action

"Connecting..."

Trying to access Tigo Energy's server.

During testing.

"Success"

Cloud Connect/MMU has successfully accessed the server.

The Tigo servers are responding

"Error: Checking"

Cloud Connect/MMU could not connect to the server and is diagnosing the cause of the problem.

Diagnostics are being performed.

"Cable unplugged"

No Ethernet connection to a router, link is 'down'.

Check the Ethernet cable to Router.

Check Wi-Fi Ethernet Adapter.

Check Ethernet over power-lines adapter.

"No IP address"

Cloud Connect/MMU is not receiving an IP address from the router.

Check Ethernet connections:

The cable is plugged into the router.

The router is 'ON'.

Ethernet PLC (power-line) adapters are connected ('paired') with the partner unit.

Restart the management unit's network by either 2.4 "Restart" (full restart that takes a few minutes) or 3.5 "Renew" (logger request IP address from Router)

"No association with AP"

Wi-Fi: sees the SSID named, but cannot gain access to it.

Check to make sure the Wi-Fi password is correct

Ensure Wi-Fi network security settings allow new devices.

"Check proxy svr"

Logger is configured to access the web via an HTTPS proxy server, it is not responding.

Verify proxy settings on Cloud Connect/MMU.

If the site does have a proxy server, verify it allows access to *.tigoenergy.com.

Re-run network test.

If a site has no proxy server,  turn proxy server usage OFF by using Menu:

3.4 "Set Proxy" on Cloud Connect/MMU menu

> "Are you sure?" press ENTER for Yes

> "Proxy Server?" press MENU for no.

"No Default GW"

Missing default gateway. Either DHCP server is not replying (i.e. the router), or static IP configuration entry is not present (only applies to networks requiring static IP setup)

Check the Ethernet connection to the router.

Verify that the configuration of the router allows the logger to access the network.

Re-run network test to confirm if fixed.

“Cannot ping GW”

The default gateway did not respond to ping.

May not be a problem depending on router configuration.

Check Ethernet connection of cabling at the router.

Re-initiate network test.

“Cannot ping DNS”

A public Domain Name Server (DNS) server (8.8.8.8) is not responding.

Possible inability to connect to the internet.

May not be a problem depending on router configuration.

Ensure Ethernet cable is connected from the router to the modem.

If other devices in the house are not connected to the internet, call your service provider for assistance.

Maybe a problem with the modem or router.

“Cannot ping Tigo”

Cannot exchange ICMP packets with Tigo Data Center.

May not be a problem depending on router configuration.

Contact Tigo Energy’s Technical Support team by email at support@tigoenergy.com.

Provide System ID or street address.

 

Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity

If your Cloud Connect/MMU only shows you the message “Error”, or you are not sure how to perform some of the fixes described above, try the following steps to reconnect the Cloud Connect/MMU to the Internet:

  1. Verify that the Ethernet cable is connected by unplugging the end that is in the Cloud Connect/MMU, and plug it into a laptop or desktop computer. Make sure that the wireless Internet receiver is turned OFF on the computer to ensure that you are only connecting to the network via the cable. Try browsing a website that you do not frequent often (e.g. news.google.com). If you are able to browse new websites, then this confirms that the Ethernet cable is viable.
  2. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the Cloud Connect/MMU and wait 10 seconds before plugging it back in. Renew the IP address on the Cloud Connect/MMU by following these steps:
    1. Press MENU, then ENTER
    2. Use arrow keys to find 3. NETWORK, press ENTER
    3. Use arrow keys to find 3.5. RENEW, press ENTER
    4. A new IP address should display if the request was successful.
    5. Perform network test again, and see if you get SUCCESS as the result. If not, then proceed to the next step.
  3. Unplug the power supply of the Cloud Connect/MMU, wait 10 seconds, then plug back in. This will reboot the unit completely. Perform network test again. If you get an ERROR, then proceed to the next step.

Rebooting All Network equipment

In some cases, a full reboot of all devices inside of the CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU’s network needs to be done. This is accomplished by the following steps:

  1. Reboot the router by unplugging its power supply, waiting 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for the lights on the unit to stabilize before proceeding to the next step.
  2. If you have a third-party device (e.g. wireless network bridge, or wireless adapter) that is providing Internet to the Cloud Connect Advanced/Cloud Connect/MMU, please reboot this unit next after the router lights stabilize. If you do not have one of these devices, proceed to the next step.
  3. Reboot the Cloud Connect/MMU (i.e. unplug, wait a few seconds, then plug back in) and wait for the text to appear on the display. Try doing a network test again and record the messages that you see. If it goes immediately to "Success", this indicates that your Cloud Connect Advanced/Cloud Connect/MMU is reconnected to the Internet.

If all troubleshooting methods fail, please contact Tigo Energy’s Technical Support team by email with system ID and street address: support@tigoenergy.com.

Firewall IP and Port Settings:

Required Internet access IP range and Port numbers:

IP address Subnet Mask Protocol Port Service
64.62.250.0 '/24', upper bits (255.255.255.0) TCP 443 HTTPS - AWS ECS servers
64.62.250.0 24 UDP 123 Network Time Protocol (NTP)
34.193.254.249 24 TCP 443 HTTPS - Tigo servers
34.193.254.249 24 UDP 3256 Tigo protocol port

 

CCA/Cloud Connect/MMU Data Usage

The approximate amount of data sent over the Internet is 10 MB of data per panel per month.
So a 30-panel system transfers approximately 300 MB per month.
More information about data transfer and storage capabilities is available Data Logger Data Transfer.
  • Upon request, we offer a reduced data option that involves a firmware update on the CCA.
    • This reduces the amount of data transferred to approximately 1MB per month for the whole system - for a small system (< 30 modules). 
  • You must contact our support team to request the reduction of your systems monitored data.
  • With this reduced data option you can calculate the monthly usage by dividing the number of modules you have by 30, and then multiplying that number by 1MB per month.  
      • How to calculate the reduced data usage required for a 300 module system:
        300 modules / 30 ≈ 10 ➜ 10 * 1MB per month = 10 MB per month

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    Simon Waters

    But what about communication with Mass CEC's PTS?

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