Manage Mobile Assets⚓︎

Mobile Assets are 4G/LTE or 5G devices identified on the network by their SIM card and uniquely defined by their IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity). These assets, which include smartphones, IoT devices, industrial equipment, and autonomous systems, enable data transfer, telemetry, and operational tasks within private and public mobile networks. Additional identifiers, such as the Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network (MSISDN) number, further distinguish Mobile Assets and facilitate their integration into network operations.

In Expeto xControl, Mobile Assets are managed to ensure proper authentication, security, and network functionality. They are configured to belong to specific Customers, assigned to Systems, and associated with System Profiles that define bandwidth, access permissions, and other operational parameters. Administrators can add Mobile Assets individually or in bulk using the Bulk Import feature, ensuring streamlined onboarding and efficient network management. Proper configuration of Mobile Assets is essential for maintaining network integrity and optimizing resource allocation.

To manage Mobile Assets, navigate to the Mobile Assets section in the left navigation panel. This section allows you to view and organize Mobile Assets, manage their status, terminate sessions, and configure advanced properties such as extensions.

Mobile Asset List⚓︎

The Mobile Asset List displays key details for each Mobile Asset in a tabular format. By default, the following columns are included:

Customize Columns⚓︎

You can adjust the displayed columns to suit your needs:

1. Click the Column Chooser icon.
2. Check or uncheck columns to add or remove them from the list view.

The flexibility of the column chooser allows you to focus on the most relevant details for managing Mobile Assets effectively.

Searching⚓︎

The Deep Search feature allows you to locate Mobile Assets based on any associated property, not just those visible in the list.

This powerful search capability supports case-insensitive queries and partial text matches, making it easy to find specific Mobile Assets.

Using Boolean Operators⚓︎

You can refine your searches further by using boolean operators to narrow results. This is particularly useful for searching by labels, properties, or statuses.

Example Searches⚓︎

• Search by Network Type: Type 4G to find all Mobile Assets with 4G network sessions.
• Search by Status: Type err to list all entries with an Error status.
• Search by Username: Enter a username associated with a Mobile Asset.
• Search by Label: Use labels such as sim-type or sim-type=UICC to filter specific Mobile Assets based on extensions or tags.

Add a Mobile Asset⚓︎

Steps:

1. Navigate to Mobile Assets.
2. Click New and fill in the required parameters.
3. Click Submit to save the new Mobile Asset.

Identification and SIM Authentication Properties⚓︎

When adding a Mobile Asset, several properties must be configured to ensure proper authentication, network access, and alignment with system requirements. These properties are categorized into two main groups: Identification and SIM Authentication and Network Access and Inherited Properties.

Identification and SIM Authentication Properties⚓︎

Network Access and Inherited Properties⚓︎

Add Multiple Mobile Assets from a File⚓︎

1. Navigate to Mobile Assets.
2. Click the Import button and select Bulk Import.
3. Follow the prompts to upload and import an .out file.

For detailed information on the required file format and the Bulk Import process, see Perform Bulk Actions.

View / Edit a Mobile Asset⚓︎

Clicking on the IMSI number in the main Mobile Asset list opens the Mobile Asset Details page. This page provides detailed information about the selected Mobile Asset, including its current status, associated customer and system, IP address, and additional configuration details. Use this view to manage and analyze the Mobile Asset’s settings and activity.

The Mobile Asset status is updated in real time and derived from the Mobile Asset's activity recorded in the database and network.

The following tables show normal and warning status values:

Normal Status Values⚓︎

Status	Technical Notes	Reason
	The mobile asset is registered in the database, but has never has an active session on the network.	This is the initial status for a Mobile Asset.
	The mobile asset has authenticated but does not have a current data session (over data/user plane) on the network.	The device may been powered off, moved out of range, or the SIM card removed. The Disconnected status has expired. Alternatively, the mobile asset is an SMS/IoT device where data plane session is not applicable/available, and the data is transferred over control plane.
	The registered mobile asset has an active data session on the network.	The normal state of an active Subscriber Session. The IP address and network type (3G, 4G or 5G) are displayed.
	The mobile asset's active session on the network was closed	The active session on the network ended recently. This status occurs when the device is put on airplane mode, or the SIM card is physically removed.

Warning Status Values⚓︎

The following values indicate a problem with normal Mobile Asset operation. Additional troubleshooting may be required.

Status	Technical Notes	Reason
	Warning. The mobile asset is actively connected to the network; however, there is not associated database record.	The mobile asset database server may be down.
	The mobile asset had a previously active session, but is now detach from both the mobile asset database and the network.	The device has been powered off or moved out of range.
	Error state for the network connection.	Causes can include network connection problems to the Gateway, or Gateway failure.
	Error state for the network connection.	Causes can include network connection problems to the database, or database failure.
	The status was unable to be determined.	Cause unknown.

Mobile Asset Details⚓︎

The Mobile Asset Details section provides a comprehensive overview of the Mobile Asset, organized into the following sections:

General Information⚓︎

Displays essential information about the Mobile Asset’s network assignment and status:

• Customer: The entity to which the Mobile Asset is assigned (e.g., "xAuto").
• System: The network system associated with the Mobile Asset (e.g., "ParkingLot").
• System Profile: The system profile applied to the Mobile Asset, defining its bandwidth and network settings.
• Provisioning Status: Indicates whether the Mobile Asset is active or inactive in the network.

SIM Information⚓︎

Shows identifiers for the Mobile Asset's SIM card:

• Primary IMSI: The main IMSI associated with the SIM card.
• ICCID: The unique SIM card identifier.
• MSISDN: The phone number associated with the SIM card.

Device Information⚓︎

Provides details about the Mobile Asset's hardware and software:

• Brand: The manufacturer of the device (e.g., "Google").
• Model: The device model (e.g., "Pixel 6").
• Type: The type of device (e.g., "Smartphone").
• OS: The operating system version (e.g., "Android 12").
• IMEI: The unique identifier for the device.

Custom Extensions⚓︎

Lists any custom parameters or extensions applied to the Mobile Asset:

Additional IMSIs⚓︎

Displays alias IMSIs associated with the primary IMSI, if any. If no alias IMSIs are configured, this panel will indicate that there are no additional IMSIs.

Location Map⚓︎

The Location Map provides an approximate location of a Mobile Asset when it is connected to a public or public/private network. This feature is useful for tracking device activity and ensuring network coverage across various areas.

How Location is Determined⚓︎

Location data is derived from cell tower triangulation, which estimates the Mobile Asset's position based on signals from nearby towers. Accuracy may vary depending on tower placement:

• Accuracy Range: Typically between 500 meters and 1500 meters.

Viewing Location Details⚓︎

Hover over the location marker on the map to view additional data about the Mobile Asset’s position:

• Coordinates: Latitude and longitude of the Mobile Asset.
• Accuracy Value: Indicates the confidence in the location estimate.

Mobile Asset Actions⚓︎

Activate or Deactivate Mobile Assets⚓︎

Activating or deactivating a Mobile Asset controls its ability to connect and initiate a network session:

• Active: The Mobile Asset can initiate and maintain active sessions.
• Inactive: The Mobile Asset is temporarily disabled and cannot have an active session.

This functionality is useful for temporarily restricting access without permanently deleting the Mobile Asset.

Activate or Deactivate a Single Mobile Asset⚓︎

1. Navigate to the Mobile Assets section.
2. Locate the desired Mobile Asset in the list and click its IMSI link.
3. In the details view, click Edit.
4. For the Status field, select either Active or Inactive.
5. Click Submit to save your changes.

Bulk Activate/Deactivate Multiple Mobile Assets⚓︎

1. Navigate to the Mobile Assets section.
2. Select the checkboxes next to the Mobile Assets you wish to modify.
3. Click the Edit button.
4. Leave all fields blank except for the Status field.
5. Choose Active or Inactive from the Status dropdown.
6. Click Submit to apply the changes.

This bulk operation streamlines the management of multiple Mobile Assets, ensuring efficient status updates across the network.

Cancel Session⚓︎

To cancel (terminate) a Mobile Asset session:

1. Navigate to the Mobile Assets.
2. Find the Mobile Asset in the list and click the IMSI link.
3. Click the more button (...) and then click Cancel Session.

Additional IMSIs⚓︎

Expeto xControl supports Multi-IMSI SIM cards, which allow a single SIM card to host multiple IMSIs (International Mobile Subscriber Identities). These SIM cards provide flexibility for devices that need to operate in multiple network environments or require fallback identities for redundancy.

Understanding Primary and Alias IMSIs⚓︎

• The Primary IMSI is the main identifier for the SIM card and is used as the default identity for network operations.
• Alias IMSIs are secondary identities that can be added to the SIM card. These are typically used for specific use cases, such as enabling multi-network access, testing, or separating specific traffic.

Adding an Alias IMSI⚓︎

Alias IMSIs can be added to the primary IMSI to extend the functionality of the Mobile Asset. To add an alias IMSI:

1. Navigate to the IMSI section in the Mobile Asset details.
2. Click the Add button.
3. Enter the alias IMSI value in the provided field.
4. Click Save to confirm.

Once added:

• All IMSIs, including the primary IMSI and alias IMSIs, appear in the IMSI section of the Mobile Asset details.
• Only the Primary IMSI is displayed in the main Mobile Assets list for clarity.

Limitations and Considerations⚓︎

• Static IP Address: Any static IP address assigned to the Mobile Asset applies exclusively to the primary IMSI. Alias IMSIs cannot have separate static IPs.
• MSISDN: The phone number (MSISDN) is also tied only to the primary IMSI and cannot be assigned to alias IMSIs.

Use Cases for Multi-IMSI Support⚓︎

• Network Redundancy: Allows devices to switch seamlessly between networks if the primary IMSI is unavailable or lacks coverage.
• Regional Customization: Alias IMSIs can be used for devices that operate in different countries, enabling compliance with local network requirements.
• Testing and Validation: Alias IMSIs can be assigned for testing new network setups without disrupting the primary IMSI’s configuration.

Multi-IMSI functionality provides robust flexibility for managing Mobile Assets in diverse and complex network environments. By leveraging alias IMSIs, administrators can ensure seamless connectivity and adaptability across multiple scenarios.

Set Extensions for Mobile Assets⚓︎

Click Edit in the Mobile Asset Details page.

Extensions are key value pairs.

There are specific extensions used to provide functionality not yet available through the xControl GUI. For example, setting a static IP address for a Mobile Asset.

Other extensions are used to tag Mobile Assets with labels that help find the Mobile Asset during search queries.

For more information on creating Extensions, see Extensions.