Why Choose an Industrial WIFI Router?
Routers in general provide connectivity with two or more networks or sub-networks and enable the devices to also utilize the internet to send and receive data. A Routers in general provide connectivity with two or more networks or sub-networks and enable the devices to also utilize the internet to send and receive data. A Wi-Fi router connects to a modem and sends information from the internet to personal devices such as computers, phones, printers, etc. which make up the Local Area Network (LAN). An industrial Wi-Fi router or industrial router acts in the same way as other routers in terms of its connectivity to networks and sub-networks as well as the internet but differs in terms of its capability to handle harsh and rugged industrial environments along with working in remote settings where accessibility is an issue.
How Do Industrial Wi-Fi Routers Work?
An industrial Wi-Fi router works on routing data by forwarding it through one network to another.
Here are the key functions of the router during an exchange of data;
• The industrial wireless router manages all the traffic between devices in a network and follows the fastest and the most efficient path between the devices.
• Industrial routers work by creating a routing table dynamically that contains all the information that is required to forward a packet by choosing the best possible path toward its destination.
• It then finds the routing table according to the IP address information in the received packet and determines the best route for data forwarding.
• The Industrial Wi-Fi router works on layer 3 of the OSI network layer protocol (Network layer) and the decisions being taken by the router are based on the IP address of the network interface.
Features and Use of Industrial Wi-Fi Routers
1. Rugged Environment Operation
Industrial Wi-Fi routers can work in an environment that involves processes that have constant disturbances like vibrations and shock. It is effective against high-temperature ranges which may vary between -40 to 70℃ and is effective in outdoor applications. A minimum of IP30 would be needed for industrial wireless routers to be protected from dust and foreign debris. Antaira’s routers are packaged for industrial enclosures with wide ranging redundant DC power inputs. 24-volt routers are most frequently used in industrial settings. The primary reason for using DC power is greater flexibility of use.
Industrial routers save industries the hassle of connecting endless wires to connect over long distances and ensures secure connectivity. In case of distance limitations of the wireless industrial routers, repeaters can be used to enhance the range of operation. Due to its ruggedized enclosure and internal components, it is highly recommended and used in industries with extreme environments such as;
• Offshore Rigs
• Oil Storage Facilities
• Wastewater Treatment Plants
• Power Substations
• Chemical Industries
• Mining & Minerals
• Construction Industry
2. Remote Accessibility
One of the key features and use of the industrial Wi-Fi routers is their ability to provide information about devices located at locations that are remote and often considered confined and inaccessible for connectivity. They work in areas often dominated by harsh environments where expensive cabling could be a complex solution, therefore, an industrial router is the best choice for wireless exchange of information about different components of the system.
3. SCADA Integration
Industrial wireless routers offer the feature of integrating the plant data information to the supervisory control for better monitoring and scheduling of the systems at work. Wireless routers can also have the ability to send data to a remote server computer that collects all relevant parameters for the connected devices enabling the remote control of devices as routers are full-duplex.
Industrial Wi-Fi Routers Vs Normal Wi-Fi Routers
The basic difference between the functioning of the industrial Wi-Fi routers and normal Wi-Fi routers used in offices and homes is the construction of the industrial Wi-Fi routers specifically made for rugged industry environments to cater to their extreme temperature, moisture and dust. The casing of the normal routers is usually of plastic as it is not designed to operate in a rugged environment on the other hand industrial routers have a metal casing. It is quite evident that due to their ruggedized design and features industrial Wi-Fi routers are more expensive than normal routers.
Industrial WiFi Router Conclusion
Industrial WIFI routers are designed for harsh and rugged environments capable of delivering wireless information over a secure communication network with effective operational capabilities of functioning in extreme temperature, moisture, and dust. Its ruggedized design allows for it to be used in industries where the accessibility could be of concern due to the remote location of system components, therefore, it is very useful in operating in such conditions and it effectively saves expensive cabling costs.
Contact Antaira Today
Antaira Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer that provides high-quality industrial networking and communication product solutions. Since 2005, Antaira has offered a full spectrum of product lines that feature reliable Ethernet infrastructures, extended temperature tolerance, and rugged enclosure designs. Antaira's line of industrial wireless routers allows users to implement encrypted VPN tunnels and other basic Wi-Fi routing capabilities for remote harsh environment applications. Our industrial Wi-Fi routers provide vital networking capabilities for your WLAN, ranging from affordable entry-level routers to high-end, dual-radio access points/clients/bridges/repeaters with router capabilities.
