US : Digi International introduced a 3G UMTS / HSDPA version of its ConnectPort WAN VPN – an up gradeable, commercial grade Wireless WAN) router. The ConnectPort WAN VPN offers a secure, high-speed cellular connection for reliable backup network connectivity to remote sites and devices. It features an embedded Sierra Wireless PCI Express Mini Card module and is certified for use on Cingular’s 3G UMTS/HSDPA network.
“The ConnectPort WAN VPN does not require an external PCMCIA card like most cellular routers,” said Larry Kraft, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Digi International. “Instead, it includes an enclosed Sierra Wireless embedded module to minimize exposure to breakage or theft. This feature makes the ConnectPort WAN VPN ideal for commercial grade applications such as monitoring remote SCADA devices in utility operations, connecting retail/POS branches, digital content distribution for applications like digital signage, and more.”
The ConnectPort WAN VPN is certified on BroadbandConnect, Cingular's 3G-service based on GSM, the worldwide standard for wide-area wireless communication. BroadbandConnect is available currently in over 160 major metropolitan areas. UMTS/HSDPA is the only 3G technology that natively supports simultaneous voice and data. It provides average downlink data speeds of 400 to 700 kilobits per second – customers can download a 4MB file in under a minute. It is more secure than Wi-Fi, utilizing SIM cards and encryption features to keep data transmissions safe, and provides low latency for improved performance.
“Our 3G UMTS/HSDPA network provides businesses the ability to securely access information and applications at broadband speeds,” said Hamish Caldwell, Executive Director of Business and Data Services at Cingular Wireless. “Digi’s enterprise-class router meets critical business needs for our commercial customers, and we look forward to working closely with Digi as we market this service to our commercial customer base in conjunction with Cingular’s Wireless WAN Connectivity Service.”
The ConnectPort WAN VPN is network independent and upgradeable, making it easier for customers to quickly migrate to HSUPA platforms as networks evolve. Using the ConnectPort WAN VPN with the Sierra Wireless MC8775 PCI Express Mini Card embedded module, customers can deploy on HSDPA networks today and upgrade later by replacing the module. This provides maximum flexibility for future network upgrades and protects the initial investment in the router.
Featuring an embedded four-port Ethernet switch, two RS-232 serial ports and one USB port, the ConnectPort WAN VPN enables many different kinds of devices to connect to a central site using a single wireless connection. It can be managed locally via a built-in web interface or remotely using Digi Connectware® Manager, the industry’s only enterprise class remote device management and monitoring software for Wireless WAN applications.
