In today's increasingly popular IIoT, industrial routers are bridges that connect the physical world with the digital world. As a senior R&D engineer in the Industrial Internet of Things, I am well aware that an appropriate industrial router has a crucial impact on the stability and efficiency of networking applications. This article will elaborate on the key considerations when purchasing industrial routers from multiple dimensions to help those who need networking applications make more professional and informed choices.

I. Performance and Stability

1.1 Data transmission rate and delay

The primary task of industrial routers is data transmission, so high speed and low latency are the top considerations. High speed means the ability to support fast transmission of large amounts of data, while low latency ensures real-time data transfer, which is particularly important for industrial applications that require real-time monitoring and rapid response. When choosing, you should pay attention to the transmission standards such as IEEE 802.11n and IEEE 802.11ac indicated by routers, as well as data transfer rate and delay performance in actual tests.

1.2 Routing methods and hardware forwarding

The routing methods of industrial routers are divided into software and hardware forwarding. Hardware forwarding, especially distributed hardware forwarding, can effectively improve the delay in data transmission and enhance network performance. Therefore, when selecting a router, priority should be given to those that support hardware forwarding.
1.3 Stability and Redundancy Design
The stability of the industrial router is directly related to the stable operation of the entire network system. A router with a fully redundant design can greatly improve the reliability of equipment operation, ensuring continuous system operation even if some hardware fails. In addition, the stability of software system is also a factor that must be considered to ensure smooth development of user applications.

II. Interface and Extensibility

2.1 Interface type and quantity

The type and number of interfaces in an industrial router directly affect the flexibility of its application scenarios. When selecting, it is important to pay attention to whether the router supports various copper core cables and fiber optic interfaces such as 100M/Gigabit Ethernet, ATM interfaces, and high-speed POS interfaces to meet the needs of different scenarios. At the same time, the number of ports is also an important consideration and should be selected based on actual needs and future expansion requirements.

2.2 Extensibility and compatibility

With the continuous development of industrial Internet of Things, the types and quantity of networked devices are increasing. Therefore, the scalability and compatibility of industrial routers have become particularly important. When selecting, it should be noted whether the router supports multi-protocol and multi-device access, as well as having flexible expansion interfaces for future project upgrades.
III. Safety

3.1 Access control and authentication

The security of industrial routers is directly related to the safety and privacy protection of data transmission. When selecting, you should pay attention to whether the router supports authentication methods such as RADIUS/TACACS+ and has a large number of access control lists (ACLs) to shield and isolate potential security threats.

3.2 Hardware security implementation

In order to improve the security of routers, some high-end industrial routers use hardware implementation methods such as hardware firewalls and hardware encryption to achieve security functions. This method does not impose additional burden on the router's operational performance and is an important means of improving security.

IV. Technical Support and After-sales Service

4.1 Technical support capability

Industrial routers are different from ordinary home routers, and their technical complexity and professionalism are higher. Therefore, when selecting a supplier, it is important to pay attention to their technical support capabilities, including whether they have a professional technical support team, can respond quickly to customer needs, and provide detailed technical documentation and training.

4.2 After-sales service guarantee

Good after-sales service is an important guarantee for the long-term stable operation of industrial routers. When selecting, you should pay attention to the supplier's after-sales service policies, including whether they provide warranty services, regular maintenance services, and remote technical support.

V. Other factors

5.1 Appearance design and environmental adaptability

The appearance design of industrial routers should meet the requirements for use in an industrial environment, with features such as dustproofing, waterproofing and corrosion resistance. At the same time, its working environment temperature range is also a factor that must be considered to ensure normal operation in harsh industrial environments.

5.2 Price and Cost-effectiveness

Price is one of the important factors for users to consider. When selecting, it is necessary to consider the performance, stability, scalability, security and technical support of routers as well as after-sales service factors comprehensively so as to choose products with highest cost performance.

The purchase of industrial routers is a complex and meticulous process that requires comprehensive consideration from multiple dimensions, including performance and stability, interface and scalability, security, technical support, and after-sales service. For networking projects, choosing a suitable industrial router is crucial to the success of network applications. I hope this article can provide valuable reference and help for the majority of people who need to do networking applications.