What is an industrial router?
A router is a communication device that provides reliable and secure connectivity through various types of wired and wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi, LAN, 4G, and 5G.
As its name implies, an industrial router is a device designed to withstand industrial environments, including the most challenging ones. Its casing and internal components are designed to be more resistant than those of a regular router, allowing it to endure extreme conditions regarding temperature, humidity, and dust. These products often have a longer lifespan compared to a standard router. This is due both to the physical construction mentioned earlier and to the handling of software upgrades and industrial planning implemented by the router manufacturers. As a result, it’s not uncommon to find router models in catalogs for over ten years, ensuring essential stability for the industrial world, which operates on long cycles.
This device plays a crucial role for businesses by optimizing productivity and the security of their data and equipment. Due to their performance, resilience, and numerous functionalities, industrial routers are deployed across various sectors such as industries, digital signage, smart cities, transportation, wastewater management, and public lighting. In all these domains, reliable and secure communication is essential.
> Read also: How is the IoT revolutionising industries?
Characteristics of industrial routers
Industrial routers perform the same functions as standard routers but include certain features that allow them to adapt to more challenging environments. They also offer functionalities not found in regular routers.
More resistant equipment facing extreme conditions
Depending on your sector, your industrial router must regularly, if not daily, withstand extreme conditions. Examples include a digital signage panel or a charging station under direct sunlight during summer. They are therefore made from more robust materials that allow them to remain performant in very hot, cold, or temperature-fluctuating environments, ranging from -40 to +85°C. Depending on the model, they may also withstand shocks, vibrations, and interference. Other models come with a waterproof casing to operate in dusty, humid environments or even underwater up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. Special connectors can also be implemented to resist vibrations.
Optimal security
Industrial routers rely on mobile networks to provide fast Internet access and allow remote management. This is a valuable asset for tasks that do not permit on-site control, like fleet management, for example.
Remote management calls for maximum security, including wireless communication networks. Thus, these routers come equipped with features ensuring network security, such as VPNs and firewalls customized for industrial activities, protecting sensitive data from cyberattacks. Similarly, Wi-Fi can be encrypted using WEP or WPA protocols.
Fast and smooth Wi-Fi access
Designed for industrial use, these routers allow multiple devices to connect simultaneously, whether wired or via Wi-Fi, through 4G and 5G. NAT functionalities are valuable for effectively managing multiple work devices connected to the router. This remains true despite the presence of obstacles like metal, stone, or concrete that may impair connection quality.
In addition to the routers, external antennas are available. These antennas are placed a few meters from the router, in more favorable areas, to capture radio waves. There are different shapes available to adapt to the environment (a flat antenna to prevent damage due to vandalism, for example).
These devices are intended for tough environments like construction sites, vehicles, or ATEX zones. For even more reliable connections, some models feature redundancy via a dual SIM system: if one connection fails, another takes over to prevent any risk of interruption.
> Read also: The IoT revolution in the automotive industry
More flexibility
An industrial router offers more flexibility than a radio module integrated into the equipment. When the module is outdated or when seeking connectivity upgrades, one must replace the entire equipment linked to the module. With an industrial router, only the router is replaced, while the equipment continues to function.
How to choose industrial routers?
Several criteria should be considered when choosing your industrial router, such as its resistance to extreme conditions, connectivity performance, and data protection capabilities.
Ability to adapt to your “environmental constraints”
Resistance to very high or low temperatures, humidity, dust, waterproofing: depending on your industry and the environment in which your router will be placed, these criteria should be carefully examined. A minimum IP rating of IP20 is advised to protect your device from dust; for total waterproofing, opt for IP69k, indicating the device is entirely dust-proof and resistant to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. To protect the router from interference and shocks, choose a rigid metal external casing; aluminum also helps prevent corrosion if installed in humid conditions. Although models are generally compact, consider the dimensions of your router. It must integrate into existing equipment or systems, and the length of cables, such as power cables, should also be considered.
Compliance with your industry sector
Standards vary across industrial sectors: the rail sector adheres to EN50155 and EN 50121-3-2 standards, while the automotive sector follows the ECE R10 standard—information to consider when making your choice.
Wireless technology used
Two main types of technologies are utilized:
- The 4G LTE industrial routers: suitable for transferring medium-sized data with various categories offering different speeds depending on your needs.
- The 5G routers: ideal for applications requiring regular and massive data transfers smoothly and quickly.
The offered level of security
Industrial routers incorporate various security parameters essential for protecting sensitive data and guarding against cyberattacks.
They generally rely on a firewall that filters incoming and outgoing traffic and blocks unauthorized access. To boost security and confidentiality of transiting information, opting for data encryption via a Wi-Fi security protocol, such as WPA3, is recommended. Additionally, secure communication protocols like SSL, HTTPS, or MQTT over SSL are often present in routers.
While a firewall is often the minimum security feature, other important features can be offered. Among these technologies are VPN IPSec (ensuring private and protected communications over IP networks), Open VPN (allowing for virtual private network creation), or L2TP (a network protocol used to establish VPN connections).
Discover our new router offer
Need robust and secure equipment to enhance your operations? Objenious, a Bouygues Telecom brand, offers a new range of routers, including robust industrial routers and reliable connectivity adaptable to all industry sectors. Designed to withstand external threats and meet industry communication standards, our industrial routers feature specific connectivity like RS 232, RS485 or DI/DO, ensuring optimal integration with existing devices.