Whitepaper: What is Rugged?

Is your wireless router rugged enough to connect your criticalinfrastructure? Answer these 6 questions to be sure. If you’re looking for a reliable wireless router that will enable you to connect and manage your critical infrastructure, then you need a purpose-built system that’s proven reliable in the real world. The router has to be rugged enough to deliver uninterrupted operation in a highly challenging environment – surviving exposure to extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration and volatile power conditions, and are often located in remote, infrequently visited locations. A router designed for use in a data center won’t survive in those kinds of conditions.

Narrowing your search to routers labeled for industrial use is a good place to start, but the specs on the data sheet don’t always tell the full story. Manufacturers in some countries, including the United States and Canada, operate on the principle of selfcertification. That means the manufacturers themselves assert and certify compliance to stated guidelines for safety and reliability, and there’s room for interpretation.

This lack of formal, standardized testing and certification for router ruggedness means it can be hard to know exactly what you’re buying. It’s important to go beyond the specs and dig a little deeper into the details of system design, reliability testing, and certification compliance. The six questions listed here will uncover the information you need to make the best selection.