Locality FAQs

Locality is a new and innovative software product, designed to give organizations the insight and visibility needed to optimize their mobile data deployments.

Below are some commonly asked questions. Click on the question to reveal the answer.

General Product Questions

Q: Can all of my mobile devices be data collectors?

A: The Locality agent supports a wide range of cellular network adapters on Windows-based laptops. Click here for a current list of supported devices .

Q: Can anyone in my company use Locality or view the data?

A: The Locality agent can be deployed on any supported device. To access the Locality web console a user logon is required. The Locality administrator assigns user permissions; up to ten people can access the Locality console at one time.

Q: I’m concerned about how this data will be used – am I putting my users’ privacy at risk?

A: All Locality data is stored within your corporate network on your own server. You should safeguard access to this information in the same way you safeguard other sensitive employee information.

Q: What if some of my users don’t have GPS turned on?

A: If you don’t have GPS enabled on a mobile device, you will still be able to collect and view all data and reports with the exception of the maps. You will be able to see this device in all of the reports, such as Dropped Connections and Inventory reports, but it will not be available on a Coverage Map or Device Map reports.

Q: Can I use this product to evaluate coverage in new service areas where I don’t have mobile field workers today?

A: No, Locality cannot provide coverage information in areas where you don’t have users running the Locality agent.

Q: How is Locality different from Mobility XE? Isn’t this the same thing I get through Analytics?

A: Locality and Mobility XE are two separate, but very complementary products. Mobility XE is a mobile VPN that allows your mobile field workers to stay connected and enjoy a better experience while on the go. Locality monitors the performance of your cellular network deployment. If the Analytics Module is part of your Mobility XE deployment, Locality can deliver even richer data. However, Mobility XE is not required.

Q: If I already have a maintenance contract for Mobility XE, is Locality included?

A: As a separate product, Locality is not covered under your Mobility XE maintenance contract.

Setup and Deployments

Q: I have a network adapter that’s not on your supported list. Will Locality work with it?

A: No, but we are continually working to expand the list of supported adapters as the product evolves. Your adapter may be one we're in the process of testing.

Q: What should I do if my network adapter, GPS receiver, or connection manager is not on the supported list?

A: Submit a feature request through your NetMotion Wireless sales representative, or if you are an existing customer, through our Customer Portal. NetMotion Wireless will review your request, but cannot guarantee that Locality will be able to support it.

Q: Can I run Locality on a virtual server?

A: Yes, Locality can be used in a VMware ESXi environment for Evaluation Deployments (50 users), and for Small Deployments (300 users).

Q: Will Locality server disk usage increase over time?

A: Initially, yes. For a given mobile device population, disk usage increases during the first six months of operation. Then disk usage should remain relatively stable.

Q: What protocol and port are used by the Locality agent to transmit data?

A: TCP port 443 using HTTPS.

Q: What protocol and ports are used to administer the Locality server?

A: TCP ports 80 using HTTP and 8080 using HTTPS.

Q: Can I extract data directly from the Locality database?

A: No, however, you can export report data into Excel and map data into KML.

Q: Can I use my own SQL Server or MySQL database?

A: No.

Q: Do I need Internet access in order to access Locality maps?

A: The Locality Server does not require Internet access, but any device with the client viewing data (logged into the Locality console) does require Internet access in order to pull in map data.

Operations and Data Collections

Q: What is NDIS mode operation, and how does it differ from RAS mode?

A: Locality only supports cellular network adaptors operating in NDIS mode. NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) is a standard Windows networking interface used by Locality to collect data from the network adapter. NDIS mode is often used to enable devices to automatically connect to a network. RAS (Remote Access Service) mode is often called Connect on Demand or PPP and is supported by some connection managers; it is not supported by Locality.

Q: Will Locality support RAS mode operation in the future?

A: No. RAS mode does not currently provide the information needed by Locality.

Q: How frequently does the Locality agent record sample measurements?

A: Samples are collected by the Locality agent every five seconds.

Q: Is the Locality sample frequency configurable?

A: No.

Q: How frequently does a Locality agent transmit data to the Locality server?

A: Locality agents transmit collected data every 30 minutes if there is an active connection available. If not, Locality will wait, collecting data every 30 minutes until a connection becomes available, allowing it to transmit data back to the Locality server.

Q: How long will the Locality agent store data before it stops collecting samples?

A: The Locality agent stops collecting samples if data has accumulated for 30 days and has not been transmitted to the server. This data remains on the mobile device hard drive until a successful data transmission occurs, or until the data is manually deleted. A 30-day collection of samples can require up to 40 MB of disk space.

Q: What network interface does the Locality agent use to transmit collected data?

A: Locality only monitors wireless WAN (cellular network) adapters but will transmit data over the fastest available network.

Q: Can Locality be configured to transmit data only over a specific network?

A: No, Locality transmits data over the fastest available network connection (WWAN, LAN, or WiFi) that has access to the server.

Q: How long will I have to wait before I can see my data?

A: Under normal operation, it can take up to 60 minutes for your data to appear in reports and maps.

Maps and Reports

Q: How does Locality calculate signal strength?

A: Locality combines the measured signal strength values for each sample within a map grid cell, and then calculates the arithmetic average of the samples.

Q: Can I export my map data from Locality and import it into other GIS systems?

A: Yes. Locality can export map data to a KML file, which can be imported into many other GIS systems.