This topic answers frequently asked questions about using the Aggregation Cube product.
1. Which SIM cards does the Aggregation Cube gateway support?
The gateway supports consumer IoT SIM cards from carriers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Broadnet. The gateway is available in several models. For example, the industry-specific 5G aggregation gateway, model XGLINK5G-A1, supports two 5G SIM cards and two 4G SIM cards. For 4G, you can mix and match SIM cards from China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. For 5G, you can mix and match SIM cards from China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Broadnet. The device supports the aggregation of mixed 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections from these carriers.
2. What materials are needed to get a consumer IoT SIM card?
Before you apply for a personal IoT card, you must prepare the following items: a valid personal ID card and a mobile phone to insert the SIM card.
You can insert a SIM card to connect to the internet and make calls.
3. How do I get a consumer IoT SIM card?
Choose a carrier and go to one of their service centers to obtain a SIM card.
Follow the staff's instructions to complete the application process.
Purchase a data plan for the SIM card, insert it into a mobile phone, and verify that it works.
4. What should I know when getting a consumer IoT SIM card?
1. Can someone else apply for a SIM card on my behalf?
Most regions do not allow someone else to apply for you, so we recommend that you apply in person. If you need someone to apply on your behalf, call the service center in advance to confirm whether this is allowed and follow their instructions.
Prepare the required materials to continue the process.
2. How many SIM cards can an individual register?
An individual can register a maximum of five personal SIM cards with each carrier nationwide, including the SIM card used for personal calls.
If User A has a China Mobile SIM card, they can apply for up to four additional China Mobile SIM cards.
② Typically, you can only get one SIM card per day from a single carrier's service center.
3. Which carrier's SIM card is recommended?
Because the SIM card may be inserted and removed repeatedly, China Mobile may flag this activity as a threat and deactivate the card. For this reason, we recommend obtaining SIM cards from China Unicom or China Telecom.
5. How do I insert SIM cards into the Aggregation Cube gateway?
This section uses the industry-specific 5G aggregation gateway, model XGLINK5G-A1, as an example. Manually pull open the SIM card slot cover. With the notched corner of the SIM card facing inward and the metal chip side facing down, insert each SIM card into its corresponding slot as shown in the figure. A click indicates that the card is inserted correctly.
Figure 1. SIM card installation diagram
After you insert the SIM cards, replace the slot cover to protect the cards.
SIM1 and SIM2 are 5G slots, and SIM3 and SIM4 are 4G slots. Insert SIM cards into their correct slots. Do not insert a 5G SIM card into a 4G slot, because this will make the 5G network unavailable.
Insert the SIM cards correctly. Do not force them into the slots, because this can cause damage.
6. How do I activate the Aggregation Cube device?
After you connect the gateway to a computer using a Wi-Fi or LAN connection, make sure the computer has internet access. Open a browser on the computer and navigate to 192.168.9.1. Use the logon account and password from the user manual to log on to the gateway console.
Figure 2. Gateway device console logon page
After you log on to the gateway console, the device activation wizard appears. Click the fourth circular icon to go directly to step 4.
Figure 3. Gateway device activation wizard page
On the step 4 page, click the link shown in the figure to start the device activation flow.
Figure 4. Gateway device activation wizard page
After you click the link, you can see the device's activation information: Device Serial Number, Device Activation Number, and Activation Status. The status is "Pending Confirmation". Click the link shown in the figure to go to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console for the next step.
Figure 5: Gateway Device Activation Wizard
Click the link to go to the Attach Device page in the Alibaba Cloud Management Console. The device serial number and device activation code are automatically populated, so you only need to enter
Enter the device name and click Submit.
Figure 6. Attach Device page in the Alibaba Cloud Management Console
After you submit the information, return to the System Overview page in the Aggregation Cube device console. The device's activation status changes to "Activated". After the device is attached to your Alibaba Cloud account, the aggregation acceleration traffic that it consumes is deducted from the data transfer plan in your Alibaba Cloud account.