X
Getting started with your own GpsGate Server installation
2011-03-24 20:57 by Henrik Guides

This guide helps you install GpsGate Server on your own server and get your first GPS tracking device online.

You will need the following to complete this guide:

  • For the GpsGate Server
    A Windows based computer
    An Internet connection with a fixed public IP address
  • Tracking Device options
    Windows laptop with a GPS and Internet connection
    - or -
    Meiligao Meitrack VT310 tracking device with a GPRS enabled SIM card
    (other tracking devices are also supported, but not covered in this guide)
  • Optional SMS support: A USB GSM modem with an SMS enabled SIM card

Note: There is a section at the end with information about other tracking devices, maps, installation options, etc.

Step 1: Install GpsGate Server

Install GpsGate Server on a computer with Internet access and a public IP address so that Internet connected tracking devices can send data to the server.


Follow the guide All you need to know to install GpsGate Server to go through the complete installation process.


Select the following options in the GpsGate Server installation wizard:

  • Select the “Meiligao” device listener if you have a Meitrack VT310 device (or any other listener for your device)
  • Select the languages you want to activate for your installation

Leave the other options at their default values.


When you have installed GpsGate Server and successfully logged in to the Site Adminstration application you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Create tracking application

Follow the guide Using Application Templates to create your first tracking application. Use the Basic One application template, it includes a pre-configured workspace that is suitable for real time tracking.


Enter the following data when you go through the wizard:

  • Application name: Real time tracker
  • Administrator: When requested for an admin user, select use existing and choose your Site Administrator user.

When you have completed the application creation guide click on the application URL to login to your application. The Application URL is found by clicking the application name on the page Applications / Search and Manage in the Site Administration application.


When you have successfully logged in to your newly created Real time tracker application you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 3: Add a user to your tracking application

You are now logged in to your Real time tracker application as an administrator.


Follow these steps to add a user:

  1. Select the menu Admin / Users
  2. Click on Add User
  3. Enter the following in the Setup user panel:
    Username: car1
    Name: Car 1
    Password: 1234 (or select your own password, and make a note of it)
    Click on Next
  4. Mark the checkbox _Unit in the Set permissions panel and click Next
  5. Just click Next in the select tags panel
  6. Click Finish

The picture below shows the first step in the user creation wizard.

setup user

This completes the application setup if you are going to track a Windows laptop.

Step 4: GpsGate Client Setup (to track a laptop)

To track a Windows laptop you need a GPS receiver and an Internet connection. The GPS can be built into the laptop or an external GPS connected over USB, a serial port or Bluetooth. To send position data from the laptop to your GpsGate Server you need GpsGate Client.


Download GpsGate Client for Windows


Follow the Getting started with GpsGate Client for Windows guide to install GpsGate Client on the laptop you want to track.


When you have installed GpsGate Client, follow the steps in the Connect GpsGate Client to your own GpsGate Server guide to connect your laptop to GpsGate Server.


Enter the following data in the guide:

  • GpsGate Server Address: Enter the hostname or IP address to your GpsGate Server
  • Username: car1 (or use the username you created)
  • Password: 1234 (or use the password you created)

This completes the guide for GpsGate Client users. If your GPS has a valid fix your position should now show in your application. If you encounter any problems, please have a look at the Trouble Shooting section at the end of this guide.

Step 5: Add a device to the user (for Meitrack VT310)

If you are going to track a Meitrak VT310 you need to setup the device for the user “Car 1” you just created.


Follow the steps below starting from the menu Admin / Users in the Real time tracker application:

  1. Click on car1 in the user list and select the tab Devices
  2. Click on Add new device
  3. Select the device type Meitrack VT310 and enter the following:
    Device name: Meitrack VT310
    ID: 000001
    Phone number: (the international phone number for the tracking device with a leading “+”)
    Device password: 000000
    Click on Save to save the device

Leave the other options at their default values.


The picture below shows the Devices tab.

add device

This completes the user setup if you are going to track a Meitrak VT310.

Step 6: Meitrack VT310 Tracking Device Setup

Install a SIM card in your tracking device. The SIM card is used both for tracking over GPRS and SMS messaging, therefore a fixed price GPRS data plan and low cost SMS is preferred.


Connect the device to a 9-36 V power supply, check the manual for details on how to connect the wires. To simplify configuration you can do this in your lab before you install the device in a vehicle.


Note the following:

  • Disable the PIN code check on the SIM card (put it in a mobile phone to do this)
  • Test the SIM card in a mobile phone to verify that GPRS is activated and that there is credit on the card if it is prepaid
  • If you have changed the tracking device password, change it back to the default password 000000
  • Use the device ID 000001 below as we used it in Step 4 above when we added the device to the application

Send the first five SMS messages below in the order listed to the device from a mobile phone. Wait for an acknowledgment SMS from the device after each SMS you send.


Important: You must enter data specific for your GpsGate Server and Telecom operator. Change the sample SMS messages below as required.

SMS Sample SMS message Description
1 W000000,010,000001 Set the device ID to 000001
2 W000000,011,internet.t-mobile,t-mobile,tm

OR

W000000,011,services.telenor.se
Set GPRS APN, GPRS username and GPRS password

OR

If no APN username and password are required, just input APN

Note: Ask your telecom operator for the correct APN settings
3 W000000,012,yourcompany.com,8500

OR

W000000,012,123.123.123.123,8500
Set Server hostname and port number

OR

Set Server IP address and port number

Note: Enter the host name or address for your GpsGate Server. The default port number for Meitrack is 8500.
4 W000000,013,1 Enable GPRS
5 W000000,014,00006 Start Tracking every minute
6 W000000,014,00000 Send this SMS to stop tracking


When you have sent the SMS messages your device should be getting online in a few minutes. Make sure that the GPS antenna has a clear view of the sky as the most common problem is that the device does not get a valid GPS fix.

Optional step for SMS support

GpsGate SMS Proxy handles SMS communication between the tracking device and GpsGate Server. You can send SMS commands to your Meitrack VT310 device directly from the user interface and the tracking device can send SMS alerts to your server.


SMS support also makes it easy to configure Event Rules to send SMS alerts to administrators for example when a vehicle is speeding or leaving an area.


GpsGate SMS Proxy communicates with a USB-connected GSM modem. A Huawei USB GSM modem is recommended, but most USB connected GSM modems and mobile phones that support AT commands will work.


You also need a SIM card for the USB GSM modem. This SIM card is only used to send and receive SMS messages so a price plan with low cost SMS is preferred.


Follow the guide GpsGate SMS Proxy to make the installation.


When you have installed GpsGate SMS Proxy and successfully sent your first test SMS from the Site Administration application you are ready with the SMS installation.

Trouble shooting and more information

You can check the following links for help if you run into any problems during the installation process or if you want to look at other installation options.


Trouble shooting a device that won’t connect


List of tracking devices supported on GpsGate Server


GpsGate Server guides for additional configuration

 

Discuss this blog post on the forum please.

Blog categories

GpsGate Video gallery

Collection of video tutorials.

Active Forum topics

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to the GpsGate Newsletter and get all the latest product updates, useful guides and tutorials and even receive hot offers.
E-mail
© 2012 GpsGate AB, All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Wrong Username or Password