Synergy Mode (Firmware 8.3.0)

Knowledgebase Tips and Tricks
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What is Synergy Mode?

1. Introduced in Firmware 8.3.0 2. Allows cascading of multiple Peplink devices and combines the number of WANs into a single Peplink device virtually 3. All the WANs on the **Synergized Device** will appear as native WAN interfaces on the **Synergy Controller** and it can be managed like the built-in WAN interfaces

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Sample Diagram of Synergy Mode

Synergy Mode Component

Two main components: **Synergy Controller** and **Synergized Device**

Synergized Device (SD) - once activated, it will act as a modem or client device without a management/configuration option

Synergy Controller (SC) - it is the brain to manage and controls all the Synergized Device’s WAN interfaces, including Ethernet WAN, Wi-Fi WAN, and Cellular

Synergy Link (SL) - it is the interconnected link between the Synergized Device and Synergy Controller, and carries both Control Plane and Data Plane

Prerequisites

  1. FIRMWARE: Must be at least 8.3.0 Beta 1 or above, and both SD and SC running the SAME firmware version.

  2. Care Plan: The SC must have an active Care Plan - the system will validate the devices’ subscription prior to activating Synergy Mode. This will allow for Synergy Mode with one compatible device without a Care Plan at no extra cost. Additional SD will need Care Plan as well. This feature will be DISABLED if the SC device’s Care Plan is EXPIRED.

  3. The SC must have at least 1 active WAN (excluding the one for the SL) that can contact InControl 2. Both SD and SC do not need to be added into InControl 2.

Note: The SD firmware has been hardcoded to contact InControl 2 (and feature license server) despite whether it is added to InControl 2 or not.

  1. In both SD and SC, log into the Web GUI, go to System > InControl, and make sure the Controller option is set to “InControl”. This setting must be in the “Enable” state.

  2. The SD must be upgraded to Firmware 8.3.0 and then reset to factory default - do not attempt to make any changes (not even the admin password) when connecting to the SC.

  3. Please make sure you have disabled any existing IC2 provisioned settings on the SD (if any group-level configurations are in place), prior to connecting it to SC.

  4. Models with additional features activated upon PrimeCare activation, should be used with caution.

Supported Models

Synergized Device:

  • Balance Series
  • MAX Series
  • UBR Series
  • B One Series

[Update] Removed X Series from Synergized Device list as not all devices in the X Series are currently supported.

Synergy Controller:

  • X Series
  • Balance Series
  • MAX Series
  • UBR Series (***Currently only support on UBR Plus)
  • B One Series

Firmware
8.3.0 Beta 1 or above

Synergy Mode FAQ

Q. Do both my Synergy Controller and Synergized device require a Care Plan?

To enjoy this amazing feature, the Synergy Controller requires an active Care Plan. This device can then synergize with one compatible device without a Care Plan, at no extra cost.

Q. If my Synergy Controller devices’ Care Plan expires, will the Synergized device still be synergized?

No - If the Care Plan expires then the devices will no longer be synergized. You will need to renew the Care Plan to continue using this feature.

Q. Is there a limit as to how many devices I can synergize with my Synergy Controller?

There is no limit on the number of Synergized devices, it all comes down to how many WAN ports you have available. The first device can be synergized without an active Care Plan, though subsequent devices will need active Care Plans.

If your synergized device has an active Care Plan, then your quota for one (1) Care Plan-free device is still available.

Q. Does Synergized Device support over Virtual VLAN WAN?

Yes - From firmware 8.4.0 onwards, users are able to select VLAN WAN as Synergy Controller - WAN Connection, besides the physical WAN (shown below).

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##Use Case Example
There are numerous deployment possibilities with the Synergy Mode, we will start with a simpler implementation using Balance One (as the Synergy Controller) and the MAX BR1 LTE (as the Synergized Device).

NOTE: More scenarios will be shared from time to time in the future.

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##configuration Guide

Refer to the network diagram above

  • Synergized Device = MAX BR1 LTE (HW3)
  • Synergy Controller = Balance One

MAX BR1 LTE (HW3)

  • The first WAN link is a wired-WAN
  • The second WAN link is a Cellular-WAN
  • The third WAN link is a Wi-Fi WAN (not connected)

Balance One

  • WAN1 port will be used as the Synergy Link
  • WAN2 port has an active internet connection that can connect to our license server

Preparing the MAX BR1 LTE (HW3) as the Synergized Device

  • Boot up the MAX BR1 LTE (HW3) and make sure it is running firmware v8.3.0
  • Connect the wired-WAN and SIM card into the router
  • Log into the router via Web GUI and perform a factory reset to the MAX BR1 LTE (HW3)
  • Alternatively, you may make use of physical reset button at the front panel
  • Wait for it to boot up and do not attempt to change any settings
  • Do not attempt to change the default admin account credentials

Preparing the Balance One as the Synergy Controller

  • Boot up the Balance One and make sure it is running firmware v8.3.0
  • Connect WAN1 to MAX BR1 LTE (HW3) LAN port via a normal UTP cable
  • Connect WAN2 to an active Internet connection

Enabling the Synergy Mode on the Balance One (Synergy Controller)

  • Go to Network > WAN to enable Synergy Controller

  • By default, it is ‘Disabled’

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  • Select WAN 1 port to use as a Synergy Link

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  • Save and apply changes

  • The Synergy Controller and Synergized Device will start negotiation now

  • Wait for 5 minutes and you will see all the WAN links from MAX BR1 LTE (HW3) are synchronized to the Balance One

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  • WAN2 is the original WAN port at the Balance One

  • For all the WAN links synchronized from Synergized device, they have S/N beside the WAN link

  • WAN1 is the Synergy Link, please do not make any changes to it

  • At Synergy Controller (Balance One), you can see there are additional 3 WAN links added (wired-WAN, Cellular-WAN, and Wi-Fi WAN) from the MAX BR1 LTE(HW3)

To access the Synergized Device from the Synergy Controller

  • Go to ‘Dashboard’ and click at the IP address at the Synergy Link

  • A pop up window will appear that showcase the IP detail of WAN1

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  • At the default gateway, click at the Icon

  • This allows you to access to the Synergized Device

  • The admin credentials to access to the Synergized Device is same as the Synergy Controller

  • Assume the credentials for Synergy Controller is admin/Peplink123

  • Then to access to Synergized Device, use back the same credentials admin/Peplink123
    Now, you can centrally manage all the WAN links from the Synergy Controller

###Verification

  1. This is the Balance One which is intended to be configured as a Synergy Controller. Before enabling the Synergy Controller at the settings, as shown below, it has only 2 WAN links which belong to the Balance One.

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  2. Once the Synergy Controller is enabled at the Balance One, all the WAN links from Synergized device will be synchronized to the Controller.

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  3. Balance One as the Synergy Controller will sync all the WAN links from the Synergized Device

  4. As you can see, all the 3 WAN links from the Synergized Device are listed in Balance One now

  5. For those WAN links synced from Synergized Device, you will see an S/N beside the WAN link

  6. If you configure the Outbound policy at Balance One, you will see all the WAN links from Synergized Device

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  7. Now, you are able to manage all the WAN links centrally from the Balance One

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