Gateways Constantly Disconnecting

Troubleshooting Browan Gateway Disconnects (Basic Station)

Overview

TTN gateways are network infrastructure devices, not client-side devices. They do not control authentication, permissions, security policies, or application data; they simply forward LoRa packets between end devices and the server.

Issue

A Browan LoRaWAN gateway using Basic Station repeatedly disconnects from the server. This is usually caused by server configuration, network/firewall settings, or TLS certificate issues, not the gateway hardware.

Cause

Basic Station gateways maintain a persistent Transport Layer Security (TLS) session over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

• TCP ensures messages arrive reliably and in order.

• TLS keeps the connection secure.

• The gateway maintains the connection but does not control how long the server allows it to stay open.

Certificates

• Certificates are like digital ID cards for the server.

• If a certificate expires, mismatches the server name, or isn’t trusted, the gateway will disconnect and reconnect.

• This is normal behavior, not a gateway fault.

Common Causes of Disconnects

1. Server-side timeout – Reverse proxies, load balancers, or the server may close idle sessions.

2. TLS / certificate issues – Expired, mismatched, or untrusted certificates.

3. Network/firewall interference – Routers or firewalls closing long-lived TCP sessions.

Key Point

The gateway is functioning correctly. Disconnects are almost always caused by server settings, network infrastructure, or security configuration.

Recommended Actions

• Check server or load balancer idle timeouts.

• Verify TLS certificates and server hostname.

• Ensure firewalls allow persistent TCP connections on port 8887 (Basic Station).

Tip: Most disconnects are resolved by adjusting server timeouts, validating certificates, or configuring network/firewall rules.