How to Choose Industrial Routers in The Era of Industry 4.0

In the era of Industry 4.0, intelligent factories have become an inevitable trend for enterprise development. As the core equipment connecting various production links, the selection of industrial routers is particularly critical. For people who need to do networking applications, here are some professional suggestions to help you better choose the right industrial router.

1.Consider The Application Scenarios

Different application scenarios have different requirements for industrial routers. For example, in the field of intelligent transportation, routers need to have high bandwidth and low latency to support the transmission of real-time traffic data; In the petroleum industry, routers are required to operate stably in extreme environments, with dust-proof, waterproof, wide temperature working characteristics. Therefore, when selecting an industrial router, it is necessary to first clarify the application scenario and ensure that the selected device can meet the actual needs.

2. Evaluation Performance Parameters

Network interface: Select the appropriate network interface type and quantity according to the requirements of the application scenario. For example, for scenarios that require connecting multiple Ethernet devices, a router with multiple Ethernet ports should be selected.

Wireless performance: For scenarios that require wireless connectivity, attention should be paid to the wireless standards, coverage range, signal stability, and security of the router. Ensure that the wireless connection can meet the needs of data transmission while ensuring data security.

Data processing capability: Select a router with sufficient data processing capability based on the data volume of the application scenario. This includes CPU performance, memory, and flash capacity of the router.

3. Pay Attention to Protection Level And Reliability

Industrial environments are often accompanied by dust, moisture, oil mist and other adverse factors, so the dustproof and waterproof rating of routers is the primary consideration. High-level protection can ensure stable operation of equipment under harsh conditions. In addition, attention should be paid to the temperature range and shock resistance of the router to ensure that the device can operate stably for a long time in various harsh environments.

4. Consider Network Security

Industrial data often involves corporate secrets, so the network security performance of routers is crucial. You should choose a router that supports advanced encryption standards, has a built-in firewall, and has VPN functionality to ensure security during data transmission. At the same time, it should support multiple authentication methods and fine access control policies to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the network.

5. Consider Management And Maintenance

Industrial routers should have remote management capabilities, such as configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting through Web interfaces, to reduce on-site maintenance costs. In addition, it should also have real-time fault alarm and detailed logging functions, which can help quickly locate problems and reduce downtime. At the same time, consider whether the router supports firmware online upgrades, and whether the manufacturer provides long-term technical support and software update services.

6. Pay Attention to Protocol Support And Interface Richness

Ensure that the router supports the protocols commonly used in industrial communication to meet the access requirements of different devices. In addition, it should have a rich variety of interface types such as Ethernet ports, serial ports, USB, etc., and a sufficient number of them, to facilitate the connection of various industrial devices and sensors.

7. Consider Redundancy And Scalability

For application scenarios that require high reliability, routers that support multiple WAN ports and load balancing should be selected to achieve simultaneous utilization of multiple network links and improve data transmission efficiency. In addition, the modular design of the router should also be considered to flexibly expand functions according to actual needs, such as adding wireless modules, security modules, and so on.

In the era of Industry 4.0, selecting the right industrial router is the key to ensuring stable and efficient operation of networking applications. By clarifying the application scenarios, evaluating performance parameters, focusing on protection levels and reliability, considering network security, paying attention to management and maintenance, focusing on protocol support and interface richness, and considering redundancy and scalability, we can help you better choose the right industrial router and provide strong support for the intelligent upgrade of enterprises.