All packet forwarders perform common functions:

• Interfacing with the radio Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) APIs
• Encapsulate the received packets in an IP based protocol for transmission to the LoRa Network Server
• Receive encapsulated downlinks from the LNS and send them over the radio interface.

They differ in their security and resiliency features (local buffering when backhaul connectivity isn’t available, VPN and certificate management, geo-redundancy), their ability to handle multiple backhaul interfaces (Ethernet, cellular, satellite), and features for operational support (monitoring, remote upgrades, configuration auditing, etc.).

The LoRa Alliance® is still working on a standard Gateway to Network Server (GW/NS) protocol. Meanwhile, several implementations coexist:

• Some gateways still run a packet forwarder named “Legacy UDP Packet Forwarder” or “GWMP Protocol” which was created by Semtech as proof-of-concept code, without security or resilience in mind. It can be used for educational purposes but never in production.
• In 2019, Semtech presented Basics™ Station as their new Packet Forwarder implementation for LoRaWAN® gateways, a replacement for GWMP with enhanced security.
• Some LoRaWAN® infrastructure providers, like Actility, also provide their own Packet Forwarder implementation (LRR™ for Long Range Relay), with additional features oriented towards production environments like geo-redundancy, local packet buffering or improved monitoring.