In the field of industrial IoT, the purchase of industrial routers is the key to ensuring the stable, efficient and safe operation of the entire network architecture. This article will provide a detailed guide for industrial router purchase for people who need to use networking applications from multiple dimensions.

1. Environmental adaptability and durability

Industrial environments are often accompanied by extreme conditions such as high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity, vibration, dust, and even corrosive gases. Therefore, the primary consideration for industrial routers is their ability to adapt to the environment.

Dustproof and waterproof grade: 

The router with high-level dustproof and waterproof capability should be selected to ensure stable operation of the device under harsh conditions.

Temperature range: 

Select a router that supports a wide temperature operating range, such as -20°C to 70°C or wider, to cope with temperature fluctuations in industrial sites.

Anti-seismic and anti-impact capability: 

The structural design of the router needs to have sufficient anti-seismic and anti-impact capabilities, and the internal components need to be strictly screened and use industrial-grade standards to ensure long-term operational stability and reliability.

2. Network Performance and Stability

The continuity of industrial applications is crucial, as network interruptions may lead to production line stagnation and cause huge losses. Therefore, the network performance and stability of industrial routers are crucial.

Bandwidth and throughput: 

Select the appropriate bandwidth and throughput according to the needs of the application scenario. Applications such as high-definition video surveillance, big data collection, and remote control place higher demands on bandwidth and transmission speed, requiring the selection of routers with high bandwidth and low latency.

Multi-WAN port and load balancing: 

The multi-WAN port design can enhance the flexibility and reliability of network connections. Through load balancing technology, multiple network links can be utilized simultaneously to improve data transmission efficiency.

Wireless performance:

 For scenarios that require wireless connectivity, it is important to pay attention to the wireless standards, coverage range, signal stability, and security of the router.

3. Safety protection capability

Industrial networks often involve a large amount of sensitive data, such as production parameters, equipment status, user information, etc., so security protection cannot be ignored.

Data encryption: 

The router needs to support the Advanced Encryption Standard to ensure the security of data transmission.

Firewall and VPN: 

The built-in firewall can effectively prevent external malicious attacks, while the VPN function can achieve remote secure access and protect the security boundary during data transmission.
Access control and authentication: Support multiple authentication methods and fine-grained access control policies to ensure that only authorized users and devices can access the network.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

Different industrial equipment may use different communication protocols, and with the development of technology, new IoT protocols are constantly emerging. Therefore, the flexibility and scalability of industrial routers are also crucial.

Protocol support:

 Ensure that the router supports the protocols commonly used in industrial communication to meet the access requirements of different devices. At the same time, compatibility with emerging IoT protocols is also an important aspect in considering its future applicability.

Interface richness: 

rich interface types such as Ethernet ports, serial ports, USB, etc., and the number of them, which facilitate the connection of various industrial devices and sensors.

Modular design: 

Modular design enables routers to flexibly expand functions according to actual needs, such as adding wireless modules, security modules, and so on.

5. Management and Maintenance

The management and maintenance of industrial routers are also important factors to consider when purchasing.

Remote management: 

Industrial routers should have remote management capabilities, such as configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting through Web interfaces, to reduce on-site maintenance costs.

Fault alarm and logging: 

Real-time fault alarm and detailed logging functions help to quickly locate problems and reduce downtime.

Software upgrade and maintenance: 

consider whether the router supports firmware online upgrade, and whether the manufacturer provides long-term technical support and software update services.

6. Market Recommendation and Brand Selection

In the market, there are many brands of industrial routers that perform well, such as  PUSR. These brands of routers have good performance, stability, security, and after-sales service. When making a choice, one can consider the specific application scenarios, budget, and brand preferences comprehensively.

When purchasing an industrial router from scratch, it is necessary to consider multiple aspects such as environmental adaptability and durability, network performance and stability, security protection capabilities, flexibility and scalability, as well as management and maintenance. Only by comprehensively assessing and meeting these requirements can we ensure that the selected equipment can operate stably in a complex and ever-changing industrial environment, providing solid support for industrial IoT applications.