I.T and Network System Requirements

This document details the IT requirements for a successful installation of the FourJaw Platform.

On-Premises Resources 

The FourJaw system requires no on-premises infrastructure other than: 

• A reliable WiFi network for the MachineLinks and tablets to connect to 

• A mains electrical supply to power the MachineLinks and the tablets (one supply for each) 

There is no requirement for on-premise servers, or for visibility of any other devices on the network. As FourJaw is a cloud platform, both the MachineLinks and tablets need outbound access to the internet. 

Please read through the sections below, and ensure that your IT setup is compatible with the FourJaw platform. Depending on your existing IT setup, some of these sections may require no action. 

For ease of reading, key pieces of information are also highlighted throughout and action items are listed at the end of each section.  

These actions must be completed before the FourJaw MachineLink and tablets are shipped to enable a plug-and-play installation. 

Network Design 

The FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets will need to connect to an on-site network (also referred to as a VNET/VLAN) with outbound internet access so they can communicate with the FourJaw Cloud Platform. 

For many customers, the simplest way to achieve this is to connect to an existing network, such as a guest network or a corporate network. 

For customers with more advanced IT setups, it may be desirable to create a dedicated “FourJaw” network for either of the following reasons:  

1. To give complete isolation between your on-site resources and the FourJaw MachineLinks/tablets to satisfy in-house security requirements. 
2. Because it is easier to set up a new network with a FourJaw-specific configuration than to try and modify your existing network setup. 

ACTION: Please set up a separate FourJaw network if required for either of the two points above. 

Firewall Rules 

The FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets need outbound access to the internet over the following ports/protocols. 

ACTION: Please modify the firewall rules on your chosen network (if necessary) to be compatible with the table above. 

Domain Filtering and Packet Inspection 

In cases where there is additional network security which inspects packets or filters based on destination domain names, the FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets will need unrestricted access to all subdomains, urls and endpoints on the two following domains: 

fourjaw.app 

mymachine.link 

ACTION: Please check your network security and ensure there is no filtering or blocking of traffic to fourjaw.app and mymachine.link, including all urls, subdomains and endpoints. 

Network Authentication 

To enable a plug-and-play installation, FourJaw configures all MachineLinks and tablets with Wi-Fi credentials prior to shipping them. To ensure a smooth install, accurate Wi-Fi details should be provided at the point of purchase. Both SSID and password (by password we mean pre-shared key, PSK) are case sensitive.  

The MachineLinks and tablets both use WPA/WPA2 authentication using an SSID/password combination. The MachineLinks and tablets are not able to connect to networks that use an access control portal (or a guest registration portal) such as those found in hotel/airport guest Wi-Fi networks.  

ACTION: Please ensure the FourJaw team has accurate credentials for a compatible Wi-Fi network. 

MAC Addresses, Ethernet, DHCP and Static IPs 

If MAC address filtering is used on your network, then please let the FourJaw team know at the earliest opportunity so we can provide the MAC addresses to you ahead of your installation date. If requested, the FourJaw team will record MAC addresses when we first ship the MachineLink/tablet hardware. We are unable to provide these details after the shipment has been dispatched. 

The FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets are designed to connect to a Wi-Fi network, and we encourage customers not to use wired (Ethernet) connections as routing cables can be difficult, preventing a plug-and-play installation.   

Where a hard-wired/Ethernet connection is the only option, please communicate this as early as possible to the FourJaw team as we will include additional adapters in the hardware shipment to enable a hard-wired connection.  

Both the FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets will pick up a dynamic IP address from your DHCP server. There is no capability for static IP addresses on either the MachineLinks or the tablets. 

ACTION: Please ensure the FourJaw team has been informed if you are using MAC address filtering or Ethernet connections. 

WiFi Frequencies 

Both the FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets are able to connect to either 2.4GHz Wi-Fi or 5GHz Wi-Fi.  

Due to its longer wavelength and therefore better penetration, a 2.4GHz signal will always work better in a factory environment. Because of this, we frequently recommend setting up a new SSID that is dedicated to FourJaw, broadcasting at 2.4GHz to give a robust and reliable signal.  

It will be at your discretion (or the relevant IT contact) to decide if the existing Wi-Fi network has good enough coverage, or whether a dedicated 2.4GHz SSID should be created. 

Where dual broadcasting of 2.4GHz and 5GHz is used, the MachineLink and tablet will connect to whichever they think is best.  

ACTION: If you think it will be needed, please set up a dedicated SSID for the FourJaw MachineLinks and tablets on the 2.4GHz frequency band.