Run a Network Server
The Helium Network is unique in that it provides public wireless infrastructure for privately operated LoRaWAN Network Servers. Details about how Helium blockchain primitives interoperate with LoRaWAN routing can be read about here.
In this section, we will provide a step-by-step guide on actually getting a LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) based on Helium's open-source Console up and running.
- buy an OUI
- run Console
- deploy Console
- Optionally debug with sniffer to confirm router runtime behavior using a virtual LoRaWAN device and a software-based protocol sniffer
- Router benchmarking
for load & capacity of real LoRaWAN traffic in an isolated environment
- Use this to help determine size of server instance to deploy
- This document also gives insight to interactions of console, router, gateways, organizations, devices and wallets as used in production
Before pursuing this configuration though, it is worth considering.
Do I need to own my own OUI and operate my own Console?
If you are developing a few prototype devices, it might not be time to operate a network server. Helium hosts and operates Console where you can easily manage devices for an organization without dealing with OUI management; you only pay for packets and new accounts start with a free 10,000 DC.
An OUI costs $900 in Data Credits at a minimum ($100 for the OUI and $800 for the smallest address slab), so if that cost is prohibitive, use Helium's Console.
info
For a video tutorial on setting up your own instance of Console, check out our Tips and Tricks video here