Private Lorawan network using open-source network server

[Nick Umberger]

Hello,
I’ve setup an open-source network server on my LAN and am using Multitech hardware (mDot+Conduit). This is working great with the mDot’s configured for “public network”. However, if I switch the mDots to “private network”, they fail to join the network. It is my understanding that the “private network” mode is intended to be used with the Multitech network server which runs on the gateway. Since my gateways are operating as packet forwarders, does this mean I should not use the “private network” mode?

All of the devices connecting to my network are owned by me and no foreign/unknown devices are allowed. Is it OK to operate in public mode without a NetID assigned by the Lora Alliance? What is best practice?

I found a similar discussion here, looking for further clarification.

https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/forum/t/is-a-netid-required-for-a-private-lorawan-network-what-does-it-cost/4696/4

Thanks!

[Jason Reiss]

The private mode on Conduit and mDot will change the sync word to 0x12 and downlink frequencies.

The public mode should be fine to use with NetID 0 or 1

The advantage of using the private/public mode at the gateways is to filter packets based on the sync word. This way the public networks don’t bother forwarding packets over the back-haul to be rejected.
The gateways of a public network could also do this per DevAddr if NetID’s are properly used.

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