Top 5 industrial internet routers for smart factories

Outline:

I. Introduction
A. Explanation of industrial internet routers
B. Importance of smart factory
C. Purpose of article

II. Criteria for selecting industrial internet routers
A. Security features
B. Compatibility with various protocols
C. High-performance capabilities

III. Top 5 industrial internet routers for smart factories
A. Router 1: Cisco IR829 Industrial Integrated Services Router
B. Router 2: Alotcer AR7091 Industrial IoT Gateway
C. Router 3: Siemens Scalance M874-4
D. Router 4: Moxa EDR-810
E. Router 5: Red Lion Sixnet SLX-5ES-2SC

IV. In-depth review of each router
A. Features and specifications
B. Pros and cons
C. Pricing and availability

V. Comparison of the routers
A. Chart comparing key features
B. Overall strengths and weaknesses

VI. Conclusion
A. Recap of top 5 industrial internet routers
B. Importance of choosing the right router for a smart factory
C. Final thoughts

VII. FAQs
A. What is an industrial internet router?
B. What are the benefits of using an industrial internet router in a smart factory?
C. What is the difference between an industrial internet router and a regular router?
D. Are industrial internet routers expensive?
E. How do I know which industrial internet router is right for my smart factory?

I. Introduction

In the world of manufacturing, technology has been advancing rapidly. One of the most exciting innovations is the advent of the smart factory. This concept involves the use of technology to automate and optimize the manufacturing process, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced waste, and improved product quality. To achieve this, smart factories require reliable and secure communication networks, which is where industrial internet routers come in.

In this article, we will be discussing the top 5 industrial internet routers for smart factories. These routers have been selected based on a set of criteria, including security features, compatibility with various protocols, and high-performance capabilities.

II. Criteria for selecting industrial internet routers

Before we dive into the top 5 routers, it’s important to understand the criteria we used to select them. These criteria are critical to ensure that the routers are suitable for the demanding requirements of a smart factory.

A. Security features: Smart factories are vulnerable to cyber threats, and as such, security features are a must-have for any industrial internet router. The routers we selected have advanced security features such as VPN support, firewall protection, and intrusion detection.

B. Compatibility with various protocols: Smart factories use a wide range of communication protocols, and the router must be compatible with these protocols to enable seamless communication. The routers we selected support popular protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and BACnet.

C. High-performance capabilities: Smart factories require high-performance routers to support real-time data transmission and processing. The routers we selected have high-speed processors, large memory capacity, and support for high-bandwidth interfaces such as Gigabit Ethernet.

III. Top 5 industrial internet routers for smart factories

A. Router 1: Cisco IR829 Industrial Integrated Services Router

The Cisco IR829 is a high-performance router that supports various protocols such as LTE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. It has advanced security features such as IPSec VPN and firewall protection, making it ideal for smart factories. The router is compact and rugged, with a wide operating temperature range, making it suitable for harsh industrial environments.

B. Router 2: Alotcer AR7091 Industrial IoT Gateway

The Alotcer AR7091 is designed with industrial-grade components and features to withstand harsh environments and ensure stable operation. It has a high-powered industrial 32-bit CPU, a metal housing with IP30 protection, a wide power range of DC 9~35V, and multiple protection mechanisms for Ethernet port, RS232/RS485 ports and SIM card slot. It also supports hardware and software watchdogs, auto recovery mechanism and VPN encryption to make sure your router is always online and secure.

The Alotcer AR7091 supports various wireless communication modes such as 4G/5G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Zigbee. It can also support multiple wired interfaces such as Ethernet port, RS232/RS485 ports, USB port and GPIO port. You can easily connect your sensors, cameras, PLCs and other devices to the gateway and upload data to the cloud platform via MQTT or HTTP protocols. You can also use the built-in edge computing engine to run local applications or algorithms on the gateway without relying on cloud services.

The Alotcer AR7091 is compatible with various IoT platforms such as AWS IoT Core, Azure IoT Hub, Alibaba Cloud IoT Platform and Huawei Cloud IoT Platform. You can easily manage your devices remotely via web interface or mobile app. You can also monitor your device status, data usage, network quality and other parameters in real-time. You can also upgrade your firmware or configuration remotely via OTA (over-the-air) function.

C. Router 3: Siemens Scalance M874-4

The Siemens Scalance M874-4 is a high-performance industrial router that supports various protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, and Ethernet/IP. It has advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection, making it ideal for secure communication in smart factories. The router is rugged and can operate in extreme temperatures, making it suitable for use in harsh industrial environments.

D. Router 4: Moxa EDR-810

The Moxa EDR-810 is a rugged industrial router that supports various communication protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, and SNMP. It has advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection, making it ideal for secure communication in smart factories. The router has a high-speed processor and supports Gigabit Ethernet, making it suitable for real-time data transmission and processing.

E. Router 5: Red Lion Sixnet SLX-5ES-2SC

The Red Lion Sixnet SLX-5ES-2SC is a rugged industrial router that supports various communication protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, and SNMP. It has advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection, making it ideal for secure communication in smart factories. The router has a high-speed processor and supports Gigabit Ethernet, making it suitable for real-time data transmission and processing.

IV. In-depth review of each router

Now let’s take a closer look at each router to understand their features, pros and cons, pricing, and availability.

A. Cisco IR829 Industrial Integrated Services Router

Features and specifications: Supports various protocols such as LTE, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet; advanced security features such as IPSec VPN and firewall protection; compact and rugged design with a wide operating temperature range.
Pros: High-performance capabilities, advanced security features, and versatile connectivity options.
Cons: Expensive compared to other routers.
Pricing and availability: The Cisco IR829 is priced at around $3,000 and is widely available from Cisco resellers and distributors.
B. Alotcer AR7091 Industrial IoT Gateway

Features and specifications: Supports various communication protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, and SNMP; high-speed processor with Gigabit Ethernet support; compact and rugged design with a wide operating temperature range.
Pros: High-performance capabilities, versatile connectivity options, and affordable price.
Cons: Alotcer brand is a new Chinese brand.
Pricing and availability: The Alotcer AR7091 is priced at around $600 and is available from Alotcer resellers and distributors.
C. Siemens Scalance M874-4

Features and specifications: Supports various communication protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, and Ethernet/IP; advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection; rugged design with a wide operating temperature range.
Pros: High-performance capabilities, advanced security features, and compatibility with various industrial protocols.
Cons: Expensive compared to other routers.
Pricing and availability: The Siemens Scalance M874-4 is priced at around $4,000 and is available from Siemens resellers and distributors.
D. Moxa EDR-810

Features and specifications: Supports various communication protocols such as Modbus, TCP/IP, and SNMP; advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection; high-speed processor with Gigabit Ethernet support; rugged design with a wide operating temperature range.
Pros: High-performance capabilities, advanced security features, and compatibility with various industrial protocols.
Cons: Limited support for LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity options.
Pricing and availability: The Red Lion Sixnet SLX-5ES-2SC is priced at around $2,000 and is available from Red Lion resellers and distributors.
Overall, these five industrial internet routers offer advanced features and capabilities that are essential for modern smart factories. The Cisco IR829, Alotcer AR7091, Siemens Scalance M874-4, Moxa EDR-810, and Red Lion Sixnet SLX-5ES-2SC all provide reliable and secure connectivity options for various industrial protocols, ensuring that critical data is transmitted in real-time and processed efficiently.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, the industrial internet has revolutionized the way modern factories operate, and having reliable and secure communication networks is essential for achieving optimal productivity and efficiency. The five routers discussed in this article are some of the best options available in the market, and choosing the right one depends on the specific requirements of each factory. Whether it’s advanced security features, high-speed connectivity, or compatibility with various industrial protocols, these routers offer a range of features and capabilities to suit different needs.

VI. FAQs

What is an industrial internet router?
An industrial internet router is a specialized networking device designed for use in industrial environments that support various protocols and provide reliable and secure connectivity options.
Why is it important to have an industrial internet router in a smart factory?
Industrial internet routers provide reliable and secure connectivity options that are essential for real-time data transmission and processing, which is crucial for achieving optimal productivity and efficiency in a smart factory.
What are the key features to look for in an industrial internet router?
Advanced security features, high-speed connectivity, compatibility with various industrial protocols, rugged design with a wide operating temperature range, and versatile connectivity options are some of the key features to look for in an industrial internet router.
How much does an industrial internet router cost?
The cost of an industrial internet router depends on its features and capabilities, and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Where can I buy industrial internet routers?
Industrial internet routers are widely available from various resellers and distributors of networking equipment.
How do I choose the right industrial internet router for my smart factory?
When choosing an industrial internet router, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of your factory, such as the number of devices that need to be connected, the types of communication protocols that are used, and the level of security needed.
Can I connect multiple devices to an industrial internet router?
Yes, industrial internet routers support multiple device connections, making them suitable for use in large factories with multiple machines and devices.
How can I ensure the security of my industrial internet router?
You can ensure the security of your industrial internet router by choosing a model with advanced security features such as VPN support and firewall protection, and by regularly updating its firmware to ensure it is protected against any known vulnerabilities.
What is the typical operating temperature range for industrial internet routers?
Industrial internet routers are designed to operate in harsh environments and typically have a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to 75°C.
Can I use a consumer-grade router in a smart factory?
It is not recommended to use consumer-grade routers in smart factories as they are not designed for industrial environments and may not offer the necessary security and reliability features needed for such settings.
By considering the features and specifications of the industrial internet routers discussed in this article, as well as the specific needs of your smart factory, you can choose the right router to ensure reliable and secure communication networks. With the right router in place, you can optimize productivity and efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure the smooth operation of your smart factory.