Please use the links below to find an answer for your question. Can't find the information you're looking for? Click here.
- About StrideLinx
- About the StrideLinx Cloud
- About user management
- About customizability
- About remote access
- About the StrideLinx router
- What is a StrideLinx router? and what about different models?
- Can the StrideLinx router be used as an ordinary Wi-Fi router?
- How do I configure my StrideLinx router?
- Why do I need to upgrade the StrideLinx router's firmware manually?
- What can I do when I have bad reception?
- Which cellular providers are supported by the StrideLinx router?
- What if my StrideLinx router doesn't show up in the StrideLinx Cloud after to configuration?
- About different StrideLinx products
- Miscellaneous
About StrideLinx
What is the history of StrideLinx?
StrideLinx was launched in 2018. StrideLinx was launched because of increasing demand from people who want to connect to their industrial machines remotely. By connecting to machines remotely you can do off-site maintenance, monitor performance and predict when physical maintenance is necessary. This is how StrideLinx is trying to create added value with IoT.
Who is StrideLinx for?
StrideLinx products are used by machine manufacturers, system integrators and users of industrial machines over the world.
How do I place an order at StrideLinx?
You can contact us at https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/shopping to place an order.
How do I create an StrideLinx account?
If you'd like to try StrideLinx products you can register for a free product tour in our demo environment. You can also create an account yourself when you want to start using your own StrideLinx Cloud environment.
What does StrideLinx do to ensure a safe environment?
Safety is of the highest priority of StrideLinx. We have an extensive ISO 27001 certified Information Security Management System (ISMS), managed by our dedicated security officer. The StrideLinx router has a built-in firewall and only uses outgoing ports. We monitor and test our safety measures continuously. You can read more about StrideLinx's ISMS by downloading our security whitepaper.
About the StrideLinx Cloud
What is the difference between the old StrideLinx Cloud and StrideLinx Cloud?
The new platform creates new possibilities with its completely new design, an even more comprehensive user management system and advanced customization options in the StrideLinx Studio. Everything you need to work together in the best possible way.
Why does the StrideLinx Cloud consist of different apps?
StrideLinx started with a core service, and at the time the only service, of VPN remote access. Since then not only additional remote access services like VNC, HTTP and WebSocket have been added, but a lot of administrative actions, device settings and platform customization options have been added as well. To make all of these things easier to find, StrideLinx has divided the platform into four different apps. Please take a look at The StrideLinx Cloud explained for an overview and description of each individual StrideLinx Cloud app.
What can the StrideLinx Cloud be used for?
The StrideLinx Cloud can be used to access your machine remotely over a secure VPN connection. Additionally we offer the options to connect to your machine using VNC, HTTP and WebSocket services. You can also be notified about important machine events by using Cloud Notify. When you use Cloud Logging you can store, visualize and analyze machine data in the StrideLinx Cloud.
For who can the StrideLinx Cloud be useful?
The StrideLinx Cloud can be useful for everybody who wants to access an industrial machine remotely. This can be a machine builder who wants to change settings for remote troubleshooting. But it can also be an engineer who wants to make changes to a machine without having to visit the machine site every time adjustments are necessary.
When you use Cloud Logging, the end customer for the machine might want to access the machine remotely to monitor its performance, and receive notifications about important machine events.
About user management
Why isn't StrideLinx's user management system a little easier to understand?
StrideLinx has an extensive user management system providing advanced users the configuration freedom needed to precisely specify who has access to which devices and services.
But if you don't need to give a lot of people access or don't manage a large fleet of devices, you can simply use the default settings of the user management system. This way it is very easy to use the StrideLinx user management system.
What is the difference between roles and access categories?
Some users might only need access to a specific service or page in the StrideLinx Cloud. To make that kind of distinction possible, StrideLinx has introduced access categories. For example, within one machine the end customer might need to see the machine data report, and a service engineer might need to connect to the machine using VPN. These two people need access to the same device, but not to the same services. You can resolve this issue by creating two different access categories, then assigning the access categories to the data report and VPN service respectively, and allowing both user's roles access to their respective access category.
About customizability
How do I visualize machine data?
When you use Cloud Logging to log machine data, you can easily visualize that machine data by creating a page and then adding components like tables, line graphs, bar charts and more.
Can I customize the StrideLinx Cloud?
You can customize the StrideLinx Cloud in two ways: You can brand the StrideLinx Cloud using your own company colors, logos, favicon, contact details and URL. You can also customize the information you see on your cards (the device cards you see in the StrideLinx Cloud Portal app) and pages (the pages you see when you click on your device in the StrideLinx Cloud Portal app).
Can I view data from multiple machines in one dashboard?
Yes, using the "card view" in the StrideLinx Cloud Portal app will show you the device card of each machine in a single overview. You can then customize the information you see on each card.
Later you will also be able to show data from multiple machines on device pages.
Does StrideLinx offer custom branding options?
You can brand your StrideLinx Cloud company using your own company logo and colors. Additionally, you can purchase premium branding, enabling you to use a custom URL and your own support information. This package removes all StrideLinx logos as well. You can also purchase a custom mobile app. Please contact us at AutomationDirect.com for more information.
About remote access
Which remote access options does StrideLinx provide?
There are several ways to access your machine remotely. You can always connect to your machine using a VPN connection, enabling you to do everything you would normally do on-site. Additionally, you can easily connect to your machine using an HTTP service, VNC service or WebSocket service without establishing a VPN connection, if your machine runs an HTTP, VNC or WebSocket server.
What kind of devices can I access remotely?
Commonly, the StrideLinx Cloud is used to access PLC's and HMI's, but through the VPN connection you can access every IP address in your machine network.
About the StrideLinx router
What is a StrideLinx router and what models are offered?
The StrideLinx router is made specifically to establish a secure connection between your machine and the StrideLinx Cloud. StrideLinx offers five different router models. An overview and details can be found in the Hardware catalog & documents.
Can the StrideLinx router be used as an ordinary Wi-Fi router?
StrideLinx understands that you don't always have Wi-Fi reception yourself when you are at a large factory. That is why you can use the StrideLinx router as a regular Wi-Fi router by setting up a hotspot. This way you can connect your smartphone, laptop or any other device to the internet using the StrideLinx router.
How do I configure my StrideLinx router?
The StrideLinx router can be configured in a few easy steps, all explained in detail in The basics.
Why do I need to upgrade my StrideLinx router's firmware manually?
Firmware upgrades are needed to fix bugs, improve security, and add new features.
As part of the firmware ugrade process the StrideLinx router will reboot twice. This means that any communication going trough the StrideLinx router will be interrupted for a few seconds. This includes any communication between devices directly connected to the StrideLinx router's LAN ports (e.g. a PLC and HMI), and any communication going from WAN to LAN and vice versa, if applicable.
This may interrupt production on some machines (machine dependent) and will also disconnect any users that may be remotely connected. To prevent this from happening at critical moments, you can only upgrade the StrideLinx router's firmware manually. Allowing you to analyze the situation first.
In order to use all the latest features and keep your router secure, we recommend to always keep your StrideLinx router updated.
What can I do when I have bad reception?
For an overview of possible causes as well as solutions that you can try, please take a look at this part of our StrideLinx router connection troubleshooting article.
Which cellular providers are supported by the StrideLinx router?
Generally you can assume that any provider will work in a StrideLinx router. However, for some providers you may require a specific SIM card to be compatible. We've compiled an overview:
Country Provider Router Info France Orange SE-SL3011-4GG Required: Orange Business M2M SIM cards. USA Verizon SE-SL3011-4GG Required: "Cat1 and above" SIM cards. AT&T SE-SL3011-4G Required: "LTE North America" SIM cards. If you're using a SIM card that should work, but doesn't, please consult Troubleshooting - unable to connect your StrideLinx router to the StrideLinx Cloud or chapter 1 of the user manual.
What if my StrideLinx router doesn't show up in the StrideLinx Cloud after to configuration?
There are a few possible causes. We've compiled an extensive troubleshooting article that will help you find and resolve the problem: Troubleshooting - unable to connect your StrideLinx router to the StrideLinx Cloud.
About different StrideLinx products
What are Report\Cloud Logging and Cloud Notify?
Cloud Logging is the service by StrideLinx that will let you log machine data in the StrideLinx Cloud. With a Cloud Logging licence you can also visualize your Cloud Logging data in the StrideLinx Cloud Studio.
Cloud Notify is purchasable by paying a one-time fee that will allow you to receive notifications about important machine events. You can purchase a Cloud Notify license with AutomationDirect.com.
What data-logging protocols does StrideLinx support?
Cloud Logging and Cloud Notify will only work with logging-protocols that are supported by the StrideLinx Cloud. The supported protocols are:
- Siemens S7
- Ethernet/IP
- Modbus
- OPC-UA
- Digital Input
- MELSEC Communication Protocol
- BACnet/IP
- Universal Robots
- SMTP
- LoggerAPI
What kind of data can I log in the StrideLinx Cloud?
Cloud Logging uses a time-series database. This means that you can log all single points of machine data with a timestamp, as long as the logging protocols are supported.
Can I create a permanent VPN connection with StrideLinx products?
Some advanced solutions may require a permanent VPN connection between your computer/server and your machines. We presently do not offer a Machine to Machine (M2M) connection option. If you would to request this feature, please do so here.
Miscellaneous
What if I want to integrate StrideLinx in my own portal?
StrideLinx is all about integration with different solutions. You can use the StrideLinx APIv2 to integrate StrideLinx's functionalities in your own IT-solution.
How can I return an StrideLinx product?
We're sorry to hear that StrideLinx isn't the right solution for you. Please view our return policy for the correct procedure.