Service description X-node Hub

Last Update: 08.06.2023

Website for access to data collected by X-nodes

The X-node hub is a web application that can be accessed via a browser. No installation on the end device is necessary. Accessing the website with a modern browser and allowing functional cookies are required. The access information is sent to the user by e-mail. With the X-node Hub the data sent by X-nodes via radio (especially LoRaWAN) is accessible regardless of location.

Context

The X-node Hub generates its added value in the interaction with other components. In addition to the X-node Hub web app, the X-node ecosystem consists of the X-node measuring system, the "Dräger X-node" smartphone app and LoRa gateways. The X-node records gas concentrations and environmental data (temperature, humidity and air pressure) at defined intervals and sends them via LoRaWAN. Using the smartphone app, essential settings, such as the transmission interval, can be adjusted on the X-node via a Bluetooth connection. Via LoRa gateways, the data packets sent out by X-nodes are forwarded to the server. These elements of the X-node ecosystem build on each other. Taken together, the elements can be used to monitor areas.
The interface between the X-node, which sends data, and the X-node hub, which interprets this data, is particularly relevant. Joint development ensures that the structure of the data packets sent can be interpreted correctly on the web application side.

Organizational level

In the web application, the user will find the current measured values of all X-nodes in the organization on the overview page. An organization is a virtual group to which both users and X-nodes (measuring systems) can be assigned and which is created by Dräger administrators. The overview page visualizes the GPS data entered in the devices on a map and documents the last measured values in compact form. Exceedances of limit values are highlighted in color.

Device level

In addition, detailed information on the selected X-node is presented to the user on the individual device page. The data presented can be divided into three categories: Device information (e.g. signal strength), current measurement data, and historical measurement data. The measurement data includes the concentration of the measured gas, humidity, air pressure and temperature.

User management

Every user has one of three roles in a specific organization: Administrator, Key User or Viewer. Only users with the assigned role "Administrator" can see and use the user administration. The user administration includes an overview of all users in the organization with their name, e-mail and role as well as the functions to add additional users to their organization and to remove users from their organization. Users cannot sign up on their own, they need to be added by a user with the "Administrator" role, who also assigns the role to the user.

Device management

Only users with the "Administrator" or "Key User" role have access to device management. The device management consists of an overview of the devices as well as the possibility to add further devices to the organization and to remove devices. When adding devices, the owner key card supplied with the X-node is required.

Package-based performance elements

In addition to the previously described services that are always available in the X-node Hub, there are also services that depend on the selected package of the respective organization. The availability of the package-based service elements is shown in the following table.

Function\Package	Basic	Professional	Premium
Max. User	1	3	Unlimeited
Download	No	Yes	Yes
Analytics	No	No	Yes
Notification	No	No	Yes

Download

The user can download the gas measured values and optionally temperature, humidity and pressure between a start and end date for a selected X-node. The individual gas readings are annotated with additional information, such as the time and the gas measured. The timeframe for which the data can be downloaded is restricted by three factors: First, data can only be downloaded in the time period in which the selected X-node was assigned to the customer's organization. Second, the data is stored for 180 days. The data is provided in CSV file format. Third, once a device is removed from an organization the data is deleted.

Analytics

This page displays the gas readings from various X-nodes in a customizable graph.

Notifications

Messages can be classified as event-based and time period-based messages. Event-based messages are sent when certain events occur, such as when a set limit value is exceeded. Time period based messages are sent at defined intervals.

Network infrastructure

We provide the LoRa network server. Only X-nodes can be integrated into the X-node Hub. The X-nodes are always integrated via our LoRa network server. The gateways used must forward the data to The Things Stack (TTS) so that it can be displayed in the X-node Hub.

Service and maintenance

Comprehensive support and maintenance of high software quality are ensured through the following steps:

All program updates and new versions of the software that are released during the contract period are automatically provided to the user

The development of solutions in case of occurring software errors is a matter of course for us

Adjustments to updates of the most widely used browsers are made

Hosting
Dhe minimum availability is 98 percent per quarter.
Service
Please contact your local Dräger service technician. For details see Terms of service.

Warning: X-node Hub is not a warning system

The X-node is not a warning system! Technical characteristics and lack of approvals make the X-node unsuitable for use as a gas warning system.
Firstly, sending data via LoRaWAN at a fixed interval leads to latencies. In addition, data loss ("package loss") can occur during the radio transmission of the device. In addition, the device cannot emit an acoustic warning signal. Furthermore, the X-node has no approval for areas with increased security requirements.
This means that the underlying hardware X-node and thus also the X-node hub itself are not suitable for monitoring critical processes as a warning system.