In the field of IIoT, industrial routers play a vital role as key devices connecting IoT and the Internet. They are not only responsible for data transmission, but also directly related to the stability and security of the entire industrial network. For those who are new to the industry, it may be confusing to choose an industrial router that is most suitable for their industrial environment. This article will start with several key aspects and use easy-to-understand language to provide you with detailed information on how to make wise choices.
1.Understand the core functions of industrial routers
Industrial routers, as the name implies, are wireless communication devices specifically designed for industrial environments. They use public wireless networks to provide users with wireless long-distance data transmission capabilities, and are important tools for realizing device interconnection, data collection, and remote monitoring in industrial IoT. When selecting an industrial router, it is necessary to first clarify its core functional requirements, including data transmission rate, latency, transmission standards, and so on.
Data transmission rate and latency: high speed and low latency are the top choices for industrial routers. This is related to the real-time and accuracy of data, which is particularly important for industrial applications that require real-time monitoring and rapid response.
Transmission standards: such as IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11n, and IEEE 802.11ac, which are internationally recognized wireless transmission standards that affect the transmission rate and compatibility of routers.
2. Consider the particularity of the industrial environment
Industrial environments are often more complex and harsh than home or office environments, so when choosing an industrial router, special attention needs to be paid to its adaptability and durability.
Stability: The stability of the device is a key indicator of the industrial router. In the case of unattended operation, the router needs to be able to operate stably for a long time without any malfunction. This requires the router to support software restart and hardware watchdog functions to ensure automatic recovery in the event of an exception.
Wide temperature and voltage design: Industrial routers should support a wide temperature range of -40°C to 75°C and a wide voltage range of DC960V to adapt to harsh industrial field environments, such as high and low temperatures and voltage fluctuations.
Dustproof and waterproof grade: According to the actual situation of the industrial environment, choose routers with appropriate dustproof and waterproof grades such as IP40 and IP65 to prevent dust and moisture from damaging the equipment.
3. Pay attention to the scalability and compatibility of the router
With the development of industrial Internet of Things, the types and quantity of equipment on the industrial site are increasing, which puts higher demands on the scalability and compatibility of routers.
Interface richness: Select routers with rich interfaces such as Ethernet ports and serial ports to facilitate the access of more types of devices and meet the needs of subsequent project upgrades.
Multi-protocol support: Industrial routers should support multiple communication protocols such as Modbus and OPC UA to ensure lossless transmission of data between different devices.
5G network support: With the popularization of 5G technology, industrial routers that support 5G networks can bring higher transmission rates and lower latency, while supporting backward compatibility with 4G/3G networks to meet the needs of different network environments.
4. Consider technical support and after-sales service
In the industrial IoT project, technical support and after-sales service are equally important. Choosing a company that can provide timely technical support and respond quickly to customer needs can greatly reduce the difficulty of project implementation and operation and maintenance.
Technical support capability: understand whether the supplier's technical support team has rich industry experience and expertise, and whether it can provide remote assistance, on-site guidance, and other services.
After-sales service system: inspect whether the supplier's after-sales service system is complete, including warranty period, repair response time, spare parts supply, etc.
5. Refer to actual cases and user evaluations
When choosing an industrial router, you can also refer to actual cases and user evaluations to understand the actual application effects and user experience of different brands and models of routers.
Practical cases: By reviewing practical cases provided by suppliers, understand the application of routers in different industrial scenarios, including project size, implementation difficulty, application effect, etc.
User reviews: Check user reviews on e-commerce platforms or professional forums for different brands and models of routers to understand information about their performance, stability, ease of use, and other aspects.
Choosing an industrial router that best suits your industrial environment requires a comprehensive consideration of its core functions, adaptability, scalability, technical support, and after-sales service. By understanding the core functional requirements of industrial routers, considering the particularities of industrial environments, focusing on the scalability and compatibility of routers, considering technical support and after-sales service, and referring to actual cases and user evaluations, you can make a more informed choice.