I'm trying to find a way to diagnose network outages in very remote areas where it's not feasible to have a physical presence. These spots don't have any failover networks set up, and implementing them isn't practical. I'm looking for something I can have plugged in at these locations that I can access remotely, so I can figure out if there's an issue with the equipment or if it's an ISP outage.
I've thought about using a smartphone or a laptop with built-in 5G connected to the network via ethernet for remote access, or possibly looking into Unifi's "Mobile Router Industrial" 5G Modems, but that seems to require its own network with a PC attached, which isn't what I'm after. Is there an out-of-the-box solution for this scenario, or am I just grasping at straws?
EDIT: I realized I might be looking for OOBM solutions, but I might have misconceptions about budget and security needs. I'm still open to any suggestions!
6 Answers
From what I've seen, Cradlepoint devices work well for these kinds of setups too! Just another option for you to explore.
Consider setting up a backup WAN and firewall; it’s a solid option from a security perspective. However, I get that it's probably outside your budget for this type of project.
You might want to go for Starlink at each location and connect it to something like Opengear for management. It could be a good way to ensure connectivity!
If you're looking for a purpose-built solution, Opengear has console servers with LTE backhaul designed specifically for situations like this. They might be a bit pricey but are reliable!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely look into Opengear.
At my old job, we typically used Teltonika devices for backup communication through SD-WAN. If everything fails, a Starlink satellite or a mobile hotspot with a laptop might be your last resort. It sounds like you're also considering a continuity plan, which is more of a management task anyway!
I've used T-Mobile's 5G for failover. Most routers allow setting up an SD-WAN or failover option that could work for you. It’s affordable and comes with solid hardware—ours does great with the Inseego router!
True! Some ISPs offer 5G backhaul in case of line outages too, but a fully functional OOBM might be more than what you need for this scale.
Totally agree, I know it makes sense but I’m just not in a position to afford that right now.