Mastering the Art of Your Networking Solutions
Mastering your networking solutions requires care and attention, just like any other form of art. From each device’s hardware and software capabilities to supported technologies – there’s so much more than simple network connectivity support. So, let’s look at the most common networking devices and their peculiarities one by one and side to side, leading you to immediate expertise level-up!
There’s no doubt that a plethora of diverse networking devices in the IoT market can cause confusion over which device does what. And since having a well-tuned network infrastructure is great for its management purposes and overall security, knowing which option is best for you is more than recommended.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get the gist of what lies behind every Teltonika Networks networking device product category, so you become an expert of your solution’s destiny!
Cellular modems – one task and one task only
Cellular modems, like the Teltonika Networks TRM240 and TRM250, serve a very simple yet meaningful purpose in your network infrastructure: they are responsible for providing network connectivity for connected devices by converting cellular signals to electric ones. Now, the way they do so involves two function words – modulating and demodulating.
To enable Internet access for a computer, a cellular modem demodulates analogue signals incoming from external sources, like a mobile connection, and converts them into a format the computer can understand. Conversely, when data from a computer needs to be sent back to the external source, a modem modulates computer signals back to cellular ones.
A fun fact is that this is where a modem gets its name, as its main (and really only) task is to modulate and demodulate these two types of signals.
Speaking of names, you might encounter some source that uses “modem” and “router” interchangeably, which is incorrect. We’re here to break it up to you that a modem and a router are two distinct networking devices that differ vastly in their capabilities and functions.
Routers – take the connectivity control wheel
A router is a more complex device that controls and routes data packets travelling within your network infrastructure and their paths to end devices. As a matter of fact, some routers, like all Teltonika Networks ones, have built-in cellular modems. These types of routers can entirely eliminate the need for a modem to connect your networking solutions to the Internet, becoming the only brain for network management.
These networking devices can be cellular or non-cellular, distinguishing themselves with their WAN offerings: cellular routers are a perfect choice in cases when connectivity support cannot compromise the solution’s mobility or needs mobile connectivity support. Non-cellular routers are great when industrial networking solutions are stationary and don’t require an additional WAN interface.
Since the primary goal of routers is to control how data packets are transmitted from WAN to LAN or vice versa, routers can be equipped with multiple interfaces for easy data reading. Ethernet, SFP, RS232, and RS485 interfaces are additions to the router that help reduce the number of converters needed for communication or data exchange.
By incorporating these interfaces directly into routers, it becomes easier to support a broad spectrum of applications, ranging from simple home office network infrastructure to mission-critical industrial networking solutions.
Additionally, routers enable you to configure and control Wi-Fi networks, permit or deny access to the Internet for end devices, prioritise traffic, set specific data transmissions, and implement other multiple great configuration options.
Routers have multiple built-in security measures, like firewalls, VPNs, and other data tunnelling services. These measures are great for preventing any unauthorised access or data leaks.
Cellular gateways – for your niche networking solutions
When examining the functionality of most gateways and routers, you might encounter many similarities between the two. Both routers and gateways operate autonomously and are typically equipped with comprehensive security features, including firewalls and data tunnelling capabilities.
However, what primarily distinguishes these devices is the number of interfaces they have and the number of devices they can support. While routers are designed to have multiple interfaces, cellular gateways are most commonly created to accommodate just a single interface.
Just a single interface? Yes. This is done to make gateways a more fitting option that offers a simpler and more cost-efficient way of providing networking solutions with Internet access than some routers would.
Cellular gateways can be developed with niche technologies, protocols, or data readings in mind, minimising the need for additional data converters or components that could potentially increase security risks or concerns. Like our TRB143, which was made to support the M-Bus protocol for telemetry data readings specifically.
Ethernet switches – increasing connectivity, effortlessly
In a nutshell, network switches are data and connectivity distributors that travel within your networking solution’s infrastructure. This device provides more interfaces into which you can plug more end devices and thus extend your local area network (LAN).
Teltonika Networks offers two types of network switches – unmanaged and managed switches. While both are designed to enhance the scalability of networking solutions, they differ in functionality and complexity that lie behind their aluminium housing.
Unmanaged switches are plug-and-play and user-friendly, allowing for effortless integration into your network infrastructure. By simply plugging one into your networking solution, you can immediately expand its scalability without additional settings or configurations. Managed switches, however, are more complex.
These network switches offer advanced control and monitoring capabilities for your networking equipment. However, utilising them effectively requires a bit more technical know-how. If you want to know the magic and power behind Ethernet switches, there’s no better time to do that than now!
Wireless access points – your portal to wireless communication
Whenever you find yourself dealing with Wi-Fi dead spots, wireless access points come to the rescue. Similar to network switches, these devices are designed to extend your network’s Internet support, but they do so wirelessly.
Connected to your network infrastructure via Ethernet cables, access points enable seamless network sharing with end devices such as laptops or tablets. This helps distribute data traffic across more devices, while at the same time preventing network congestion.
Typically mounted on ceilings, wireless access points like the Teltonika Networks TAP100 and TAP200 are crafted to blend into their surroundings and cause zero trouble when installed. To achieve this, these wireless access points have PoE technology, allowing for convenient powering over the same Ethernet cable used for connectivity.
What’s great with wireless access points is that they support WPA3, the same data encryption technology used by Teltonika Networks routers, enhancing security measures.
Congratulations, you’re now an expert!
A long ride but for a good cause – understanding and acknowledging each device’s purpose and specification will become extremely handy when deciding your networking solution’s components. If you want to try any of Teltonika Networks' devices, we highly encourage you to contact us for more details!