Why Nebula?

Nebula is a full suite of business-class networking products that are managed from a secure portal over the internet. This includes Security Firewalls / Routers (NSG), Wireless / WiFi access points (NAP or NWA) and network switches (NSW). As this can all be configured over the internet, this enables us to set up a system remotely, with some help from you. This guide is designed to walk you through the process of getting everything connected and ready to be set-up.

This Guide

We have broken this guide into sections covering each of the product groups (Firewall, Switches and Wireless Access Points). You can skip any parts of this guide that aren't relevant and if you have any questions, please call (0207 7736 2460) or email (support@inspireddwellings.com), and we'll get you up and running. 

Overview

The NSG (Nebula Security Gateway) is a line of products that controls all of the traffic to and from the internet into your home and protects everything on your network. This can also include Anti-Virus scanning, which is available as a subscription. This makes the NSG your first line of defence from the outside world and needs to be installed at the head or top of your network. As you can see in the image below The firewall needs to be installed between your Internet Service Providers (ISP) router, this would be your BT HomeHub for example, and your network switch (if you have one).

Unboxing

What's included in the box depends on which model of NSG you have, but all should include a power lead, some rack-ears, screws, rubber feet and a QR code on the outside of the box. You'll need to install the firewall near your ISP's (Internet Service Provider's) modem/router. If this is in a network rack, then we would recommend using the included rack ears to install this in the services rack, but this isn't required.

Registering Your Router

Every Nebula product will come with three QR codes that look like the one shown. The two on the outer sleve are to download the nebula app for an iPhone or Android phone. There will also be a QR code on the brown cardboard box. This code is used to connect the device to your account. All you need to do is send us a photo of this code to support@inspireddwellings.com, including the address of where this device is getting installed in the subject of the email.

Connecting the Internet

Your internet connection provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider), they will typically either have posted and sent an engineer to install a modem/firewall. We've included some examples below, but there are many different types, if you need help, please call (0207 7736 2460) or email (support@inspireddwellings.com) us.

You should have a cable going from your ISP modem/router to your current firewall (if you have one) there will be an ethernet cable and will look similar to the image shown. You will need to keep this connected to your ISP modem/router and connect the other end to your new Nebula Firewall's (NSG) WAN port. This is the port highlighted below.

 

Powering On

If you are replacing an existing firewall, do NOT reuse the old power lead. Doing so can damage your new firewall.

Your ISP modem/router must be powered up and connected to the internet before moving on.

With everything connected, you can now plug the power into the NSG and turn it on. You should see a solid green PWR light on the front and a flashing SYS light. Wait until the SYS light stops flashing, this can take up to 5 minutes once the SYS light stops flashing you're all done.

Connecting Devices

If you are installing a Nebula network switch, then you can skip to that section of this guide. If not, please email our support team (support@inspireddwellings.com), and we can talk you through what existing equipment you have and where to connect it. In most cases, this is a network switch (usually a ZyXEL GS1920 or a Cisco SG200), and you can take the cable that was going to your old Inspired Dwellings provided firewall (usually a ZyXEL USG or a Draytek firewall) and connect this to P3 on your new Nebula NSG. 

Network Switch (NSW and GS19xx)

Overview

The Nebula line of network switches come in several different sizes (10, 28 or 52 ports) and both with and without the ability to power other devices (PoE). The network switch sits at the centre of your network. It controls all the traffic that is moving around the inside of your network (i.e. not going to the internet). In the case of PoE (Power over Ethernet), it's also responsible for powering your Wireless Access Points (WAPs), CCTV cameras and AV processors among others. 

Unboxing

What's included in the box depends on which model of NSW you have, but all should include a power lead, some rack-ears, screws, and a QR code on the outside of the box. In most cases, you will already a network switch(s) installed, and this will be a replacement that will need to be installed in the same location.

Registering your Switch

 

Every Nebula product will come with three QR codes that look like the one shown. The two on the outer sleve are to download the nebula app for an iPhone or Android phone. There will also be a QR code on the brown cardboard box. This code is used to connect the device to your account. All you need to do is send us a photo of this code to support@inspireddwellings.com, including the address of where this device is getting installed in the subject of the email.

Removing your old switch

If your new switch is replacing an existing one, you will need to take care to label the cables in your old switch before you remove them. We recommend using writing on masking tape and then wrapping this around the cable in each port. Connecting everything back into the same port is not usually required. However, it can help us to provide better support over the phone with any future problems you may have.

In some cases, it is required that all cables go into the same port number on your new switch, for your network to work correctly. If this is the case, we will let you know by email before we send you your switches.

You can now unplug all the cables from your old switch (If you have more then one switch, We would recommend only doing one at a time). Once you have disconnected all the Ethernet cables from the front of the old unit, it can be removed. If this was installed in a service rack you will need a screwdriver to remove the rack screws holding the switch in place, keep hold of these as they will be needed for the new switch. You can now pull the old switch out. There will be a power cord connected to the back which can be unplugged.

Installing your new switch

If you are replacing an existing switch, do NOT reuse the old power lead. Doing so can damage your new switch.

Installing your new switch is just the reverse of taking the old one out. The only difference may be the connection to your firewall. There will be an ethernet cable that goes from your switch to your firewall (normally port P3). We call this the uplink cable and only older installations may be connected to port 1 of your old switch. All the new switches have dedicated uplink ports. This is the last two ports on the switch, so for example on a 26 port switch, this would be ports 25 and 26. While not required, it can help with remote support if the link to the firewall is connected to the highest port number on the switch.

Powering On

You can now power up your switch, most switches don't have a power button and turn on automatically when plugged in. On the front of the switch, you will have a green PWR light which should be solid. You will also have a flashing SYS light and depending on if you have an NSW or GS19xx you may have a Cloud light on the front once both of these light stops flashing your switch will be fully booted and connected to the cloud. This process can take some time and will depend on how fast your internet is. If after 10 minutes your switch hasn't fully started, please call (0207 7736 2460), or email (support@inspireddwellings.com) and one of our engineers will be able to help.

Wireless Access Points (NAP and NWA)

Overview

Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are what enable you to have WiFi coverage across your entire house regardless of how big it is or how many outbuildings you have. There will be a hardwired connection that runs from your network switch to small boxes that are placed around your home. Each one of these boxes takes the wired network connection and converts it to a wireless one, also known as WiFi. All of your devices can then connect to this wireless network. There are 2 different types (frequencies) of WiFi 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz. These are more commonly referred to as 2G and 5G. The main difference is that 2.4GHz is an older and slower standard; however, because of the lower frequency, it does travel further and is better at getting through walls.

Unboxing

The contents of the box will depend on which model you have, but the main components will be the access point, a wall mounting bracket and in some cases a power supply. In most cases, the power supply won't be needed as the WAPs can be powered from the ethernet cable using a technology called PoE (Power over Ethernet). The wall plate is optional but can help keep everything tidy, and out of the way, in some cases, the old wall plate will work with the new WAPs meaning you won't need to break your drill out.

Connecting you WAPs

Getting your WAPs (Wireless Access Points) up and running is as simple as plugging them into an active network port. If you are replacing existing access points, then you can reuse the current ethernet cable. In most case, we can provide a floor plan of where the original WAPs were installed. If you are adding extra access points then normally these can be installed anywhere you have a network point. If this network point has never been used it may need to be connected to your switch in your network rack. If this is the case, we will include an additional ethernet cable. There should be a number on the network plate. This will correspond to a number on your patch panel. You will need to connect the new ethernet cable from this patch port to any point on your network switch. If you have any problems with this please contact us by phone (0207 7736 2460), or email (support@inspireddwellings.com) and one of our engineers will be able to help. You should now have a power light on each access point after 10 - 15 minutes this should go solid green.

Further Help