Having Internet access is essential for equipment such as 3D printers, and for IoT (Internet of Things) projects. At QUT, Internet security policy does not allow IoT devices (usually on 2.4G network with low security) to connect to its network. This is similar to the situation in schools in Queensland (and perhaps in all Australian schools) where cyber security to young children is of top concern.
The solution QUT provides me is a 4G dongle with Optus mobile network SIM card. This gives our Makerspace a self manageable network that is separated from QUT network. This SIM has a 5 GB monthly download limit, which is fine because IoT applications usually send small amount of data only.
Currently, there are also 3D printers connected to it for firmware updates and cloud printing/monitoring, a Google Nest Mini smart home, and some smart wifi power boards (e.g., Arlec and TP-Link Tapo), IoT applications (e.g., IoT: Plant Environment Monitoring), Cameras (e.g., ESP32 Cam and Wyze cam V3) for projects monitoring, and some Raspberry Pi 4 and 5. Because the 4G dongle has a connection limitation of maximum 10 devices, a 4G router is needed for connections more than 10.
As of 2023, the TP-Link MR600 was used to replace the Optus 4G dongle. It simply takes the Optus mobile SIM and works to increase the number of connected devices to about 60. This router also increased the wifi signal range further than the small dongle. However, if the makerspace is big or has an enclosed digital fabrication room (e.g., for 3D printing and laser cutting) then some Wifi range extender could be used.
In our Makerspace, we also used TP-Link RE205 to extend Wifi range to the 3D printing room. It works well with the MR600 using TP-Link's OneMesh technology.
For outdoor projects that are outside of the Makerspace, we used TP-Link's Omanda line of product EAP225 to significantly boost the Wifi range for outdoor IoT applications such as the Rolling Vertical Farm.
The MR600 with Optus mobile SIM seems to work well. The router is able to send and receive SMS text message via the SIM's mobile number. I found on GitHub this project https://github.com/plewin/tp-link-modem-router could use Nodejs and REST API to send and receive kind of unlimited SMS. I installed this repository https://github.com/plewin/tp-link-modem-router on a Raspberry Pi 4B (with lite Debian OS) and tested the sending and receiving SMS text messages, and it does work. This potentially could be applied to become a means for smart controls in the IoT project such as send a SMS command to request status/data or start/stop tasks. It could also possibly be used for some subscription and notification services.
The Optus mobile SIM network is behind Optus's firewall. This means that although devices in the local network could connect to the Internet, but there is no direct access from Internet to this local network. For example, the MR600 router web interface or Raspberry Pi systems could not be accessed from outside of the local network. To resolve this, some VPN software could be useful. For example, on the Raspberry Pi in the local network of this Makerspace, I installed the Tailscale VPN and with some reverse proxy setting using NginX on the Raspberry Pi, any devices in the local network in the Makerspace could be accessed and managed from anywhere via Internet.
For schools' makerspace network managers and anyone if you are interested in knowing more, please feel free to send in an inquiry from the Contact Us page.