I'm on the hunt for a rack-mountable PC that has cellular backup capabilities to use in our remote offices. We want something reliable as a bastion for troubleshooting purposes whenever the main connection fails. We're not looking for high-end specs since we currently utilize various unused PCs and laptops. However, every recommendation I've come across seems to lead me to discontinued models. Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Instead of a conventional PC, we lean towards cellular-capable remote KVM and serial tools. They tend to be more versatile for managing connections.
We've standardized on using an Intel NUC or a Beelink mini PC for the bastion setup paired with a Peplink Balance One or a Cradlepoint for cellular failover. This combo typically costs less than integrated units and remains functional even if one part fails. Also, just a heads up, Cradlepoints are a bit pricier but still packed with features and super reliable for remote fixes.
Absolutely, the Cradlepoints are definitely worth the investment! They come with some great features that can really help when you're stuck.