With the rapid expansion in the adoption of IoT devices, the demand for reliable and secure connectivity has become more critical than ever. In environments such as industrial or manufacturing settings, construction sites, or even temporary offices, IoT routers play a vital role in ensuring that IoT devices remain connected and function seamlessly. Selecting the right IoT router is essential to maintaining operational efficiency, security, and scalability.
Conventional consumer routers present risks to your devices and existing infrastructure due to several critical shortcomings. These routers are typically not designed to handle the unique demands of IoT environments, such as supporting a large number of devices, managing diverse communication protocols, or providing robust security against specialised threats targeting IoT networks. In contrast, IoT-specific routers are engineered to address these challenges directly. They are built to support a higher volume of connected devices, often across different protocols ensuring seamless communication within diverse IoT ecosystems.
Through this article, we explore the key considerations you should make when choosing an IoT router, the key differences between IoT routers and consumer routers and will demystify some of the common misconceptions about IoT routers.
What is an IoT router?
An IoT router serves as a dedicated networking device that facilitates the connection and management of IoT devices within a network infrastructure. It differs from traditional routers used for common internet access in businesses, as it is specifically tailored to accommodate the distinct demands of IoT devices. These requirements often include a high concentration of interconnected devices, diverse communication protocols, heightened security requirements, and the capability to oversee extensive deployments.
When comparing traditional consumer routers to IoT routers, traditional consumer routers only support Wi-Fi or Ethernet, while IoT routers are capable of supporting a wider range of connectivity protocols, such as cellular (e.g. 4G or 5G). This is particularly important as in many locations where IoT devices are located, the opportunity to get a fixed line connection is difficult or even impossible.
IoT routers are also designed to manage larger-scale IoT deployments, where numerous IoT devices are interconnected across a vast network. These routers are equipped with advanced features such as centralised management systems, which allow for the monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting of devices from a single interface. This capability is essential in environments where hundreds or even thousands of IoT devices are deployed.
IoT routers are also built to work in industrial or harsh environments and can withstand extreme conditions such as temperature variations, humidity, dust, and vibrations. They often feature rugged designs and are rated for industrial use compared to traditional consumer routers.
Overall, IoT routers are essential components in modern IoT ecosystems, providing the specialised connectivity, management, and durability required for the seamless operation of IoT devices across various environments.
IoT routers versus consumer broadband routers
| Feature | IoT router | Traditional Consumer Router |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Designed for IoT networks and device management | Designed for general internet access and home networking |
| Connectivity Protocols | Supports a wide range (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4G/5G, Zigbee, Z-Wave, LoRa, Bluetooth) | Typically supports only Wi-Fi and Ethernet |
| Scalability | Capable of managing large-scale deployments with numerous devices | Limited to managing a smaller number of devices, typically within a home or small office |
| Management | Centralised management systems for monitoring, configuring, and troubleshooting devices | Basic management features, typically accessed via a web interface or app |
| Security | Enhanced security features tailored for IoT environments | Standard security features, such as WPA/WPA2 for Wi-Fi |
| Environment | Built to withstand harsh conditions (temperature, humidity, dust, vibrations) | Designed for indoor use with limited environmental protection |
| Rugged Design | Often features rugged, industrial-grade designs | Consumer-grade design, focused on aesthetics and home use |
| Deployment | Suitable for industrial, agricultural, and outdoor environments | Primarily intended for home or small office environments |
| Data Traffic Handling | Optimised for high-density IoT device traffic | Optimised for typical home internet traffic, such as streaming and browsing |
What to consider when choosing an IoT router?
When choosing an IoT Router there are a few key elements that you should consider to ensure that you have a solution that meets your needs.
Network redundancy:
Many IoT devices support critical applications, and as such, any downtime of the network can cost thousands in lost revenue and in reputational damage. For example, temporary work premises that utilise IoT routers to deliver essential services like real-time monitoring, security surveillance, and environmental control must ensure continuous connectivity. One effective strategy to eliminate the risk of downtime due to network outages is to use an IoT router that can support multi-network SIM cards. When selecting an IoT router, it's important to consider that multi-network SIM cards allow the router to connect to multiple cellular networks rather than being tied to a single provider. However, it's crucial to understand that the SIM itself is not intelligent and may not automatically switch to the best available network or return to the primary network once it's available again. Therefore, ensure that the IoT router has the capability to manage network selection actively. The device should be able to detect issues such as poor signal or degraded throughput and take appropriate action by scanning the available networks and switching to the most suitable one based on the strongest signal. Ultimately, while the SIM card enables connectivity, it's the device that performs the 'intelligent' functions of network selection and optimisation.
Security features:
When selecting an IoT router, it is crucial to prioritise security features such as data encryption, which should adhere to advanced encryption standards (e.g. AES) to safeguard transmitted data and prevent unauthorised access to sensitive information.
Additionally, a robust firewall is necessary to block unauthorised access and protect against cyber threats, while VPN support is essential for secure remote access, ensuring data privacy when communicating over public networks.
Regular firmware updates are also important to address security vulnerabilities, so opting for a router that provides automatic updates or an easy update process is recommended.
Control and management:
When you choose your IoT router, you will want to determine how much control you need of your devices. IoT SIM and router providers like Cellhire can provide a one-stop-shop portal which gives you control over your estate and allows you to deliver over-the-air updates. By having this level of control, no matter where your IoT router is located, you can feel in control with just a few clicks.
How many IoT devices can an IoT router support?
The answer to this really depends on a number of factors:
- Hardware Limitations: Each router has a hardware-based limit on the number of simultaneous connections it can handle. This limit is often defined by the router’s CPU, memory, and the number of available IP addresses. Consumer-grade routers typically support 20-50 devices, while enterprise-grade routers can support hundreds or even thousands
- Device Type and Usage: IoT devices vary in their network usage. Some devices, like alarm systems, require minimal bandwidth, while others, like security cameras, require significant bandwidth. A router may handle a large number of low-bandwidth devices but struggle with fewer high-bandwidth devices
- Data Transmission Frequency: Devices that frequently transmit data can strain the router more than those that communicate sporadically. For example, devices sending real-time data or continuous video streams require more robust routing capabilities
- Environmental Factors: Physical obstructions, signal interference from other electronics, and environmental conditions can impact the effective range and capacity of a router.
When choosing an IoT router, it is important to review these factors to ensure that you choose a solution which meets all of your requirements.
What is the difference between an IoT router and IoT gateway?
IoT routers and IoT gateways may seem similar at first glance, but they fulfil distinct roles in IoT environments. An IoT router's primary function is to efficiently route data packets between devices within a network and the internet. It handles tasks such as managing IP addresses and ensuring seamless data connectivity, much like a traditional router.
On the other hand, an IoT gateway is a more multifaceted device. While it also handles data routing, it serves as a pivotal link between diverse communication protocols utilised by various IoT devices. Beyond mere routing, an IoT gateway can preprocess, filter, and even analyse data locally before transmitting it to the cloud. This makes the IoT gateway an indispensable component for edge computing in IoT setups. Its ability to process data locally reduces latency, enhances efficiency, and bolsters security by minimising the amount of data transmitted over the internet.
Overall, IoT routers and IoT gateways both connect devices to networks, but their roles differ significantly. While a router predominantly manages data routing and connectivity, similar to traditional routers, a gateway goes a step further by offering functions such as protocol translation, local data processing, and advanced security features. This makes IoT gateways crucial for the complexities and diverse demands of IoT environments.
Looking for an IoT router provider – look no further than Cellhire.
Cellhire is a leading supplier of IoT routers and IoT SIM cards suitable for a wide range of applications including smart city infrastructure, remote monitoring, transportation and logistics, environmental sensing, and temporary setups such as events or construction sites. Utilising our IoT network, we deliver multi-network solutions at unbeatable prices, reducing downtime, and enhancing device reliability.
Discover our IoT router and SIM solutions here.
