Sixnet Brings 3G Connectivity To Harsh Environments

Machine to Machine (M2M) networking vendor Sixnet has launched of new pair of connectivity options for industrial applications.  The compact, rugged devices focus on bringing IP connectivity to remote machines in the harshest of locales, while giving administrators centralized management and monitoring. These new industrial products join Sixnet's recently announced commercial solutions, targeting not only remote industrial plants and equipment, but also less extreme applications, such as kiosks and ATMs. Like their commercial counterparts, the industrial products link to Sixnet's SixView Manager for centralized monitoring, command and control features.

Both the Industrial Pro Wireless Gateway and Industrial Pro Wireless Router bring wireless WAN connectivity to harsh environments and the ability to operate on AC or DC power, with the latter adding full routing capabilities, Network Address Translation (NAT), IPSec and SSL VPN support, as well as standard routing protocols like OSPF and RIP. Both products ship with at  least one Ethernet port and a standard RS-232 ports on board to enable additional networking and serial machine connectivity. 

While the latest mobile devices, running on the fastest wireless networks that the carriers can muster, are what usually make headlines, enterprises need to take a broader view of what the 3G mobile networks can do for your organization. Solutions such as Sixnet's gateways and routers offer something that traditional wireline connectivity cannot: rapid and highly mobile deployments. 

Where traditional T1s, ISDN, and even dial-up lines require time for the carrier to build, provision and deploy the circuits, wireless connectivity simply requires being within range of a cell tower and an active wireless account. This ability to rapidly deploy and just as quickly move connectivity gives enterprises the opportunity to evolve their business processes.  Construction sites, for example, can stay connected to the home office, even though the crew could pick up and move to another location on a moment's notice.

With both the speeds and pervasiveness of 3G wireless, as well as the beginnings of 4G networks springing up, administrators should certainly be including mobile broadband options as a source of primary access for remote or hot site deployments.