New UMTS/3G/HSPA+ cellular routers for outdoor apps

LONDON, UK: German networking specialists LANCOM Systems expands its product range with two new VPN routers for outdoor applications: The LANCOM OAP-3G is a cellular router with integrated multi-mode HSPA+ modem.

The LANCOM OAP-321-3G additionally offers 802.11n wireless LAN. The devices have a water-tight, very hard-wearing metal housing (IP66 protection class) and are designed to operate between -33 and +70°C. Applications for the routers include the use of cellular networks to provide Internet connections to outdoor systems such as video cameras, traffic-monitoring systems, and solar or wind power plants. The model equipped with wireless LAN is ideal for setting up nomadic hotspots, for example at events or in marinas, or for networking construction sites.

When working with HSPA+ (and depending on the cellular service contract) the devices achieve peak operating data rates of 21 Mbps for downlinks and 5.76 Mbps for uplinks. The built-in cellular modem is backward compatible with UMTS/3G, EDGE and GPRS, so maximising flexibility and reliability. On the LAN side, both the OAP-3G and the OAP-321-3G are equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet interface. The OAP-321-3G additionally offers a wireless radio module (IEEE 802.11abg) for setting up a local WLAN network operating in the 2.4- or 5-GHz band.

Power is supplied via an integrated universal power adapter for 10 – 28 volts DC. This means that the devices can be supplied with electricity from solar panels, for example. With two options for mounting—on the wall or on a mast—these devices can be set up wherever they are needed. The integrated GPS positioning offers protection from theft.

IPsec VPN, firewall and virtualisation included
The routers offer five IPsec VPN channels as standard and also hardware acceleration. An upgrade increases the number of VPN channels to 25. Thanks to an intelligent tunnelling mechanism, the routers are able to establish highly secure IPsec VPN connections over any cellular network. What's more, both devices support up to sixteen virtual IP networks: Virtualisation allows the LANs and the WAN interfaces to be used for multiple purposes. The integrated firewall provides the very latest security features such as status inspection, intrusion detection and DoS protection.

Both devices are available for delivery now. The LANCOM OAP-3G is available at a recommended retail price of £1,133.77 (excluding VAT). The RRP of the LANCOM OAP-321-3G is £1,308.33 (excluding VAT).

For customers wishing to power routers from standard 230-V electrical outlets, LANCOM will be shipping an optional power supply unit with IP 66-rated outdoor housing from late June. The LANCOM OAP-320PSU operates in temperatures ranging from -25 to +40°C and it is supplied with all necessary cables. The suggested retail price for the LANCOM OAP-320PSU is £160.60 (excluding VAT).