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Use a Camera on a Cradlepoint Connection
Use a Camera on a Cradlepoint Connection

Learn how to provide cellular connectivity to a Verkada camera using a cradlepoint router

Updated over a week ago

Use this article to learn how to provide cellular connectivity to a Verkada camera using a Cradlepoint router. The Cradlepoint router used in this article is running factory default settings.

Cradlepoint router

Requirements

  • Active SIM card

  • Cradlepoint router

  • Verkada camera

  • PoE Injector/PoE switch

  • DC power outlet

SIM card overview

Most Cradlepoint routers require a standard SIM card. The cellular carrier being used provided a nano SIM, but the carrier also included a trio adapter (displayed below).

Recommendation. We recommend that you confirm with your cellular carrier which type of SIM card they will provide prior to purchasing to ensure compatibility with your Cradlepoint. Adapters can also be found online if the carrier can only provide a nano SIM. In this specific guide, an IBR-900LP6 Cradlepoint is used, which requires a standard SIM card.

Below are the 3 types of SIM cards (standard, micro, and nano) and common adapters (combi and trio) that cellular carriers usually provide.

Estimate bandwidth consumption

When estimating bandwidth consumption for your Verkada system, note the following variables:

  • Number of cameras viewed per day

  • Number of SQ hours viewed per day

  • Number of HQ hours viewed per day

  • Number of Verkada cameras being used

If you aren't sure which data plan you should be choosing with your cellular carrier, see the Bandwidth Consumption Uplink Requirements prior to selecting a plan.

Install the SIM card

  1. With the Cradlepoint powered off, open the SIM card door and locate an available SIM card tray.

  2. To ensure you're inserting the SIM card correctly, review your Cradlepoint's documentation to avoid damaging the SIM tray.

  3. In this specific example, the metal contact on the SIM was facing toward the bottom of the Cradlepoint. The SIM should snap into place easily and shouldn't require much force. If you have installed an SD card on a device before, this process should feel familiar. 

  4. After the SIM is secure in the tray, reconnect the SIM door, as some Cradlepoint models won't power on if the SIM door isn't seated. 

Set up the Cradlepoint 

Antennas

With the cradlepoint powered off, connect all of the necessary antennas.

  • MAIN (Required): Primary cellular connection.

  • 2.4/5Ghz (Optional): Used for Wi-Fi connectivity to the Cradlepoint. Not all Cradlepoint routers have this feature/antenna.

  • Aux/GPS (Optional): Review your Cradlepoint's documentation to confirm if you should be using this or not.

There may be several different antennas included with your Cradlepoint. Review your Cradlepoint documentation to verify which type of antenna you should be using.

Power up your Cradlepoint

Once all of the antennas have been connected and the SIM is inserted, power on your Cradlepoint and wait about 2–5 minutes to allow the device to fully boot. 

Verify connectivity 

As a quick test to verify internet connectivity, connect an Ethernet cable to the LAN port of the Cradlepoint and connect the other end to a laptop's Ethernet port. You should see a blink light on the LAN port and your laptop should be able to reach the internet. If not, wait another minute before performing basic network troubleshooting. 

Recommended. If the management UI is reporting cellular connectivity issues, test the SIM card on a different type of device, such as a cell phone. This verifies your SIM card is properly registered with your cellular carrier.

Power on your Verkada camera

Verkada cameras use industry-standard 802.3af Power over Ethernet (PoE). If you're using an outdoor Verkada camera in a cold-weather climate and require the built-in heater, you need a PoE injector or switch that supports the higher-power 802.3at PoE+ standard. Contact Verkada Support to discuss your options.

If you decide to use a PoE injector, the LAN port on the Cradlepoint needs to connect to the 'IN' port on the injector. The 'OUT' port should be going to the Ethernet port on the Verkada camera.

Access the management interface

There are 2 ways to access the local management interface on your Cradlepoint:

Wi-Fi

If your Cradlepoint has Wi-Fi capabilities, there should be a network name (SSID) and default password on the bottom of the device. Once the Wi-Fi LED has a solid color, use a laptop or wireless capable device to connect to the SSID. 

Ethernet

  1. You can access the management interface by connecting an Ethernet cable directly into the LAN port of the Cradlepoint to a laptop or desktop NIC. If your Cradlepoint is running default settings, you should be able to access the management interface by going to http://192.168.0.1 via an internet browser.

  2. Once the management interface has been loaded, log in using the default credentials. The default password should also be on the bottom of your Cradlepoint.

    • If you connected using wireless, the password should be the same as the SSID's PSK. 

    • If you still can't login, you may want to consider factory resetting the Cradlepoint.
      ​
      ​Default username: admin
      ​Default password: Located at the bottom of your cradlepoint 

Note: Factory resetting this clears all previously saved configurations on the Cradlepoint.

Recommended. Like most network-connected devices, change all default passwords on your Cradlepoint to prevent unauthorized users from making changes.

Need more help? Contact Verkada Support

 


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