Hanshow Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL) Integration with MRs

Network Diagram

Hanshow ESL gateways communicate with ESL tags via a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless protocol using its built-in antennas. Hanshow USB gateways build a TCP connection to Hanshow Cloud for management purposes. Please refer to a simplified network diagram below.

Supported Access Points

Model	Minimum Firmware	PoE Requirements for USB *
MR57	MR 29.1+	802.3at + 802.3at, 802.3bt
CW9166I	MR 29.1+	802.3bt
CW9164I	MR 29.1+	802.3bt
CW9162I	MR 29.1+	802.3at

 Supported USB ESL Gateways

Hanshow HS_C09978 gateway is supported with this integration.

Please refer to the Hanshow documentation for up-to-date specifications and technical details of the USB gateway. 

Configuring an SSID to Use with USB Ports

Hanshow USB gateways are treated like wired clients connected to 2 or 4 port APs using Port Profiles. Access points provide USB to Ethernet bridging to Hanshow USB gateways. 

First, you must configure an SSID that can later be assigned to a USB port via port profiles.

1. Navigate to Wireless > Configure > Access control 

2. Select an SSID from the dropdown at the top of the page.

3. Scroll down to Client IP and VLAN

4. Select Meraki AP assigned (NAT mode) if you want the gateway to get an IP address directly from AP.

  5. Otherwise, select the External DHCP server assigned (Bridged) option and configure VLAN tagging, if needed.

  6. Save changes

 7. Navigate to Network-wide > Configure > General > Device configuration, find the option to configure Clients wired directly to Meraki APs, and set to "Behave like they are connected to USB".

 

Configuring a USB port via Port Profiles

1. Navigate to Wireless > Configure > Port profiles.

2. Click Create profile.

3. Enable the USB port and assign the previously created SSID.

  4. Save changes.

  5. Assign the profile to your AP(s).

Connecting a Hanshow USB Gateway to an AP

1. Ensure your AP is getting enough power to support a USB port. Please refer to the Supported Access Points for more information on PoE requirements.

2. Connect your Hanshow gateway to the AP’s USB port.

3. Ensure that the USB gateway receives an IP address via DHCP from the AP if the USB SSID is configured for Meraki AP assigned (NAT mode) or from your upstream network if the USB SSID is configured for the External DHCP server assigned (Bridged).

4. Once the USB gateway has successfully connected to the Hanshow cloud ESL server, the LED on the gateway will turn green and slowly blink.  Please consult with Hanshow documentation for other LED statuses. 

Monitoring Hanshow USB Gateways in Meraki Dashboard

Because USB ports are configured via Port Profiles and inert their settings from an SSID, Hanshow USB gateways will appear on the Network-wide> Monitor > Clients page as wireless clients. This behavior is the same for wired clients connected to 2 and 4-port APs using port profiles.

You can search the USB dongle by its MAC address on the Network-wide> Monitor > Clients page.

USB Gateway Does Not Power On When Connected to an AP

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Ensure that the AP receives enough power from its power source (PoE switch / PoE injector / AC adapter) to supply power to the USB gateway.

• The easiest way to check the PoE mode is by looking at the Power source column on the Wireless > Monitor > Access points page. 

• Please refer to the Supported Access Points for more information on PoE requirements.

USB Gateway Does Not Have an IP Address

Troubleshooting Steps:

• If the External DHCP server assigned (Bridged) option is configured on the SSID assigned to the USB via port profiles, enure that there is a DHCP server upstream of AP and that this server is operational. Also, check VLAN tagging configured on your AP.

• Take a packet capture on the uplink port of your AP where the USB gateway is connected and check for DHCP traffic from/to the gateway IP.

• If you still have issues, please contact Meraki support.

USB Gateway Does Not Come Online in the Hanshow Cloud

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Check the Wireless > Configure > Firewall & traffic shaping page for the SSID assigned to the USB port in port profiles for any firewall rules preventing communication between the USB gateway and Hanshow Cloud.

The following ports should permit communication between the Hanshow USB gateway and Hanshow Cloud.

Protocol/Port	Purpose
UDP 67/68	DHCP address assignment
UDP/TCP 53	DNS name resolution of ESL server URL
TCP 37022	Cloud ESL server communication
TCP 22	SSH management
TCP 443	GUI management

• Additionally, devices/firewalls located upstream of your AP(s) need to allow the same ports/protocols.

• Take a packet capture on the uplink port of your AP where the USB gateway is connected and check for traffic from/to the gateway IP.