Connecting your TetherBox to the Internet

Does my TetherBox need an Internet connection?

Your TetherBox does not require Internet to operate but it does require Internet to commission the system, monitor its health, and access it remotely.

Your TetherBox does not require port forwarding or a custom setup and will work in most environments out of the box.

It will automatically connect to the cloud if plugged into:

Typical business and home routers (e.g. BT/Virgin/Sky router/hub)
Network with DHCP / Shared Internet (e.g. most office/hotel/etc networks)
4G/LTE ethernet routers & most 4G/LTE USB dongles
Wifi 4G/LTE modems (connected via USB or Wifi)

Note: The reason you need Internet to commission your TetherBox is the latest configuration is always backed up to the cloud and nobody can make changes without going through a central audit log. This means that you can see every change done to the system, even if the system is presently offline. You will also be notified of any suspicious access or changes by email and push notifications.

What is the TetherBox Hardware (MAC) Address?

The MAC address is written on the bottom of the unit, it is also available by logging into https://app.timeline.is and clicking the settings cog in the top right -> Admin -> TetherBoxes -> Name of TetherBox

How do I check the TetherBox IP?

Your TetherBox will pick up an IP Address from your router (using DHCP)
It also has a secondary static IP address: 192.168.88.100

There are several ways to check the TetherBox IP:

1: Use the App or Website recommended

Sign in with your email/password on the app or visit https://app.timeline.is. Once logged in, click the settings cog in the top right -> Admin -> TetherBoxes -> Name of TetherBox. This will show you key information about your TetherBox including:

IP Addresses & MAC address
Connect & Reboot History
Health Stats, etc

2: Check your router

Another option is to login to your router's admin interface and look for the "DHCP leases table", it will show what IP address the router assigned to your TetherBox.

3: Scan the network

Finally, you can scan the network with your IP/Network scanning tool of choice.

Note: If the TetherBox's ability to make an outgoing connection is presently blocked, you may want to temporarily allow all outgoing connections while testing/commissioning (if at all possible).

Can I connect my TetherBox to WiFI Internet?

Many of our TetherBox units have WiFi built in. If you provide us with the SSID and WiFi password, we can set this up for you ahead of time. Please get in touch with us at support@tetherx.io.

Note: You can connect your TetherBox to the Internet wirelessly, but we do not recommend using the wireless connection to record cameras. If you have to record wirelessly, please ensure your WiFi can sustain the load. In our experience, any more than 2-5 cameras often fails to work reliably.

Can I use a Static IP Address or connect through a Corporate Firewall?

Yes. In most cases, the TetherBox will connect automatically using DHCP. If you need to assign a static IP address, we recommend configuring a DHCP reservation on your DHCP server using the TetherBox's MAC address. This ensures that if the TetherBox is moved to another location, it will still be able to connect using DHCP.

If that is not an option, we can configure the TetherBox ahead of time to use a static network configuration. Please get in touch with us at support@tetherx.io to arrange this.

What ports does my TetherBox use?

Please note, you do not need to set up port forwarding. The following ports are only used to make an outgoing connection:

TCP port 443 (VPN and HTTPS traffic) - required
UDP ports 1194, 1195, 1196, 1197 - optional but recommended (more bandwidth efficient)
DNS (port 53) - required

Important: Port 443 is used for both VPN and HTTPS traffic. Some corporate firewalls may block or inspect VPN traffic on this port, even though regular HTTPS is allowed. If you're having connection issues in an enterprise environment, check with your network administrator that VPN traffic is permitted on port 443.

Note: The UDP ports are optional but provide significantly better bandwidth efficiency. If you are in a restricted network environment and struggling to connect, consider connecting the TetherBox to a local WiFi network or using a cellular router/dongle as an alternative.

Where does my TetherBox connect?

The TetherBox will make a connection to our cloud servers (hosted on Wasabi and Linode, LLC UK). You can find the IP ranges here:

Wasabi: https://bgp.he.net/AS395717#_prefixes
Linode: https://bgp.he.net/AS63949#_prefixes

Self-Hosted Solution: If your security requirements prevent the TetherBox from making outgoing connections, we offer a self-hosted solution. Please note there is a minimum requirement of 1,500 cameras to be eligible for this option. Contact us at support@tetherx.io for more information.

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