Configuring Trimble Thunderbolt GM330
Before starting the configuration of the GM330, ensure that the GPS antenna is properly installed with a clear, unobstructed view of the open sky. This is essential for accurate time synchronization.
Key Difference Between GM200 and GM330:
Feature | GM200 | GM330 |
SFP Ports | 1 SFP port | 4 SFP port |
Ethernet Ports | 2 Ethernet ports | 2 Ethernet ports |
Impact of Port Differences
Flexibility for Network Design:
The GM330 offers greater flexibility with 4 SFP ports, allowing multiple fiber connections for network segments or redundancy setups.
The GM200, with only 1 SFP port, is more suitable for smaller networks or simpler configurations.
Scalability:
The GM330 can support larger and more complex network deployments, especially in environments like 5G, data centers, or industrial automation.
The GM200 is better suited for smaller-scale networks or entry-level deployments.
Redundancy and High Availability:
With 4 SFP ports, the GM330 supports failover configurations and redundant network paths for enhanced reliability.
The GM200's single SFP port limits its redundancy options.
Note: Refer to the Celona PTP Guidelines and Best Practices document for detailed information on the need for PTP, including its benefits, deployment scenarios, and key considerations for ensuring accurate time synchronization.
Use Case - Healthcare Facility
In a healthcare facility with multiple sites in a location and up to 100 indoor access points (APs), precise time synchronization is crucial for ensuring consistent and reliable performance of critical applications such as real-time communication, asset tracking, and patient monitoring. The Celona solution addresses this requirement efficiently using Precision Time Protocol (PTP) with a minimal hardware footprint and seamless integration into the facility's existing network infrastructure.
In this use case, PTP is deployed with a single Protempis GM330 Grandmaster Clock to provide synchronized timing to all APs, which act as PTP followers. For redundancy, a second Grandmaster Clock is installed as a backup, ensuring uninterrupted synchronization in the event of a primary clock failure. This eliminates the need to install PTP at every site, significantly reducing complexity and costs while maintaining operational resilience.
Celona's architecture seamlessly integrates into the facility’s current network infrastructure, leveraging existing switches and routers without requiring additional hardware. This plug-and-play capability simplifies deployment and ensures the APs are synchronized across sites over the shared network. The solution’s scalability allows it to support up to 100 APs across multiple sites, all synchronized to the same time source.
Steps to Access the Web Interface of GM330
Any port can be used as management when configured with the appropriate VLAN.
Connect the GM330 to your network using one of the Ethernet ports.
Ensure the network has a DHCP server to automatically assign an IP address to the GM330.
Connect to the GM330’s console and check the assigned IP through the console interface.
Enter the assigned IP address on the web browser to open the GM330’s User Interface (UI).
The Login credentials are:
Username: protempissuper
Password: Tbolt_<serial number>
The figure below shows the landing page of GM 330.
GM330 UI Configuration
The diagram illustrates a 3-tier enterprise network deployment integrating Ethernet and private cellular technologies. At the core layer, the OS6900-X48C4E switch aggregates traffic from upstream devices like the Protempis GM300 GPS clock server (providing network synchronization via fiber) and the Celona Edge (managing private LTE/5G operations). Multicast traffic on VLAN 999 is handled efficiently between components. The aggregation layer features the OS6865-U28X switch, which connects the core to the access layer, represented by the OS6560E-P24Z81 switch. This access switch links to end devices, such as the Celona AP22, for wireless connectivity to mobile devices and CPE. The deployment ensures scalability, high availability, precise timing synchronization, and seamless integration of wired and wireless technologies, making it ideal for modern enterprise needs. The following configurations are based on this topology.
VLAN Configuration
Click VLAN on the side menu, and enable the following configuration for VLAN 1, VLAN, Virtual Interface (VIF), and IPv4.
Select DHCP for the VLAN 1 default IP address.
To add a VLAN, click the ADD VLAN button, enter the VLAN ID, and click ADD.
After creating the VLAN, enable the configuration shown in the figure below.
Check the status of each VLAN configuration in the Status Tab.
Port Configuration
Access Port
Click Port on the side menu.
Traffic leaving the ports will not be VLAN-tagged, but the GM330 internally handles VLAN isolation by separating the bridges.
Configure the ports connected to Eth1 and Eth2 on the switch as access ports for their respective VLANs (e.g., VLAN 100 for Eth1, VLAN 200 for Eth2).
Ensure no physical loops exist in your network topology. The internal bridging setup of the GM330 avoids bridging loops between its ports.
Trunk Port
The same port can be PTP for multi-VLANs, but currently, this is not within our testing scope.
Check Status
Click the Status tab to view the status of the Port configuration.
PTP Configuration
To configure the PTP on the GM330 web interface, click the PTP option from the side navigation menu.
PTP Profiles
The Trimble Thunderbolt PTP GM330 supports the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) profiles G.8275.1 and G.8275.2, which are essential for high-precision time synchronization in telecom networks.
G8275.1 Profile
G.8275.1 is designed for networks that provide full timing support, meaning every node in the synchronization path (e.g., switches, routers) is PTP-aware and participates in the timing process.
Select the interface that prefers profile G8275.1 from the Profile drop-down menu.
G8275.2 Profile
Select the interface that prefers profile G8275.2.
Status
Click the Status tab to view the status of the PTP configuration.
