Products > Radio modems > RipEX > User manual > Getting started
RipEX is a widely configurable compact radio modem, more precisely a radio IP router. All you have to do to put it into operation is to connect it to an antenna and a power supply and configure it using a PC and a web browser.
RipEX access defaults: IP 192.168.169.169/24, username: admin, password: admin
Set a static IP 192.168.169.x/24 on your PC, power on the RipEX and wait approximately 25 seconds for the RipEX OS to boot. Connect your PC to RipEXs' ETH interface, start your browser and type https://192.168.169.169 in the address line. When accessing RipEX for the first time, you have to accept the https security certificate issued by Racom.
Before attempting to do any configuration, make sure your RipEX is the only powered-up unit around. Since all units coming from factory share the same default settings ex factory, you could be accessing a different unit over the air without being aware of it.
When accessing over the optional “X5” USB/ETH adapter, your PC will get its IP settings from the built-in DHCP server and you have to type https://10.9.8.7 in your browser. Remaining steps are the same and you do not need to worry about other RipEX's, you will be connected to the local unit in all cases.
SCADA radio network step-by-step
Building a reliable radio network for a SCADA system may not be that simple, even when you use such a versatile and easy-to-operate device as the RipEX radio modem. The following step-by-step checklist can help you to keep this process fast and efficient.
Design your network to ensure RF signal levels meet system requirements.
Calculate and estimate the network throughput and response times when loaded by your application.
Perform a bench-test with 3-5 sets of RipEX's and SCADA equipment (Chapter 5, Bench test).
Design the addressing and routing scheme of the network (Chapter 2, RipEX in detail and RipEX App notes, Address planing)
Preconfigure all RipEX's (Section 5.4, “Basic setup”).
Install individual sites
Mount RipEX into cabinet (Section 6.1, “Mounting”).
Install antenna (Section 6.2, “Antenna mounting”).
Install feed line (Section 6.3, “Antenna feed line”).
Ensure proper grounding (Section 6.4, “Grounding”).
Run cables and plug-in all connectors except from the SCADA equipment (Section 4.2, “Connectors”)
Apply power supply to RipEX
Test radio link quality (Section 5.5, “Functional test”).
Check routing by the ping tool (the section called “Ping”) to verify accessibility of all IP addresses with which the unit will communicate.
Connect the SCADA equipment
Test your application