Rugged, Customer-Configurable, Plug-and-Play SPECTRE 3G Router Connects M2M Equipment Over the Cellular Network

OTTAWA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--B&B Electronics announces its rugged, customer-configurable new SPECTRE 3G cellular router, designed to wirelessly connect remote machine-to-machine (M2M) equipment over the CDMA and HSPA+ cellular telephone networks, and for network back-up. Built for plug-and-play simplicity with extensive remote management, deployment and customization options, the SPECTRE 3G wirelessly extends local M2M networks that are connected via Ethernet 10/100, RS-232 or RS-422/485. Users manage the router’s robust configuration options, such as automating firmware updates that reconfigure many routers simultaneously, through a secure and easy-to-use Web interface or a powerful scripting engine. A rugged metal casing with a wide operating range (-30 to 60 degrees C) and DIN-Rail mounts make the SPECTRE 3G ideal for M2M connectivity in harsh or remote environments.

This is the first of several cellular router offerings for the North American market, following B&B’s acquisition of Conel in March.

The SPECTRE 3G is designed for both enterprise and industrial M2M communications systems including: enterprise networking, intelligent transportation systems/ITS (traffic, toll, parking), security/camera-monitoring, transaction management (ATMs, point-of-sale, kiosks, lottery), remote monitoring, industrial automation, energy management (oil/gas/water distribution networks and grids), and geological, environmental and weather-monitoring systems.

The router is offered in a flexible, modular format to fit customer needs, with seven configurations possible that make it easier to standardize, deploy and manage fleets of devices. Its standard configuration includes one 10/100 Ethernet port, one USB host port, one binary input/output (I/O) port and dual SIM card holders. (The second SIM card holder provides network redundancy, as the router can automatically switch between GSM service providers or plans, if one connection fails.) Two expansion ports give customers the option to add either more Ethernet ports (two additional for a total of three), Serial ports (RS-232/485/422), or I/O ports. Another enhancement option is Modbus TCP/IP to Modbus RTU, allowing cellular connectivity to Modbus slave devices using the router’s RS-485 port found in industrial markets.

The easy-to-use R-SeeNet remote management platform allows users to configure and manage multiple routers throughout a network, eliminating the need to make policy changes a single router at a time or for on-site technician visits. R-SeeNet lets network administrators monitor the status and activities of routers with either a snapshot in time, or with trending data to analyze patterns for efficiency gains. Variables tracked include: amount of data transferred, signal strength, response time, or number of PPP connections or channels connected.

The password-protected Web interface allows users to easily manage the router’s robust configuration options, such as setting the router to automatically upgrade its configuration and firmware from the operator’s central server using Firmware-Over-The-Air (FOTA) technology. This allows for seamless, simultaneous mass reconfiguration of every router on the network. Additional easy-to-use diagnostic functions such as automatic restart when connections are lost, and a hardware-monitoring “watchdog,” ensure continuous communication.

A powerful scripting engine lets the router make decisions based on user-identified conditions, which users insert using a special start-up script window. Examples would include SMS and binary input configuration or automatic switchover from a failing primary connection to a backup connection over another network.

Users may also create four different profiles/configurations in one router. This provides the option to switch between operating profiles, either remotely through R-SeeNet, the local Web interface, SMS or automatically through its on-board I/O.

The SPECTRE 3G supports a wide variety of VPN protocols including IPSec, OpenVPN and GRE Tunneling. It also supports DHCP, NAT, NAT-T, SMTP, DynDNS, NTP, VRRP, HTTPS, SSH, OSPF, RIP, BGP control by SMS and more.

The router’s seven configurations range from $449 to $649 MSRP. For more product information: http://www.bb-elec.com/product_multi_family.asp?MultiFamilyId=178

About B&B Electronics:

Founded in 1981, B&B Electronics Manufacturing Co., Inc. provides M2M connectivity solutions for wireless and wired networks based on serial, Ethernet, wireless and USB communication technologies. Specializing in connectivity out at the “edge” of networks in remote, harsh and uncontrolled environments, the company is known globally for its easy to use, rugged and reliable device networking products, as well as for its knowledgeable technical support and responsive customer service. B&B Electronics is located at 707 Dayton Road, P.O. Box 1040, Ottawa, IL 61350, 800-346-3119 and at www.bb-elec.com on the Internet.

Editorial Note: The Press Room contains downloadable photographs: http://www.bb-elec.com/press-room.asp