Public questions and answers for Comset

Question 1

Can I automate the test process to confirm the best direction without manual re-testing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Some routers include built-in diagnostics that can log signal measurements such as RSRP, RSRQ and SINR, plus throughput, for different directions. If your device supports it, you can schedule repeat tests to run from the same mounting points and compare results later instead of doing each test manually. To run automated tests effectively, keep the antenna and coax length the same for every direction, test at similar times of day, and record multiple minutes of data to see stability, not just a single snapshot. Also check which serving band and cell your router connects to after each direction change to confirm you’ve actually moved to a different service. If your current router doesn’t offer automated testing, you can still instrument periodic manual tests and log the measurements. For model-specific capabilities and steps, check with Comset or the device manual.

Question 2

What should I expect for failover delay and session continuity during transitions?

Accepted Answer

Shore Wi‑Fi and cellular can be combined by using the router’s multi-WAN features to prefer shore Wi‑Fi when usable and switch to cellular automatically. This usually presents one stable onboard network to devices so they don’t need to reconnect as the vessel moves. There can be a brief failover delay as health checks detect a failure on the primary link and switch to cellular. In practice, most setups aim to minimize disruption, but some long-lived sessions may pause briefly during the transition. You can reduce impact by configuring sensible failback delays and ensuring critical devices use the stable onboard path. For a precise forecast at your site, review the exact router model, SIM plans and the network environment with Comset, since numbers can vary by hardware and carrier.

Question 3

What minimum details should I provide to get a useful baseline plan?

Accepted Answer

Even if you can't share every detail, you can still get a useful baseline plan by supplying what you can and clearly noting gaps. Give us: the job the router must do, the site address or rough location for testing, every device that must connect, required interfaces (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, serial, GPIO/relay), expected data use, available power and enclosure, operating temperature, uptime needs, who will manage the unit, how many similar units you expect, and whether you need alerts or remote access. We'll propose a starter model and deployment plan that covers these must-haves and outline the gaps with a plan to firm them up once more information is available.

Question 4

What specific router features best support reliable site-to-site VPNs on cellular?

Accepted Answer

Key features include automatic WAN-to-VPN tunnels, dual-SIM for failover, and reliable health checks so the tunnel recovers quickly. Be mindful of NAT: with cellular NAT, inbound connections may not reach the remote site. You might use an outbound VPN to a central server or overlay networks, and plan firewall rules to limit exposure. We can help you pick models that support these patterns and validate SIM/carrier constraints; we can provide a recommended topology.

Question 5

How long should I run each test to be confident about stability?

Accepted Answer

As you noted, test each candidate spot for several minutes with the same antenna and cable length, under similar conditions. Run repeatable tests per location to observe how performance holds up, not just a quick snapshot. If possible, repeat tests at different times of day or during busier periods to capture potential carrier variation. Compare locations using sustained metrics like throughput, latency and jitter over the test duration, and pick the spot that delivers the most stable, usable performance overall.

Question 6

What should be included in the failover test results report?

Accepted Answer

Describe the test scenario and outcomes: what you disconnected (the primary WAN) and which services you watched (critical applications, VPN, and remote management). State whether each service remained reachable during the switch and whether VPN paths stayed secure. Record the backup SIM status and any hardware checks: confirm the SIM is active with data and uses the correct APN, and note whether any antennas were tested or adjusted during the test. Document who owned the test, the date and location, and any anomalies or follow-up actions. Keeping results clear and traceable helps you run the same test again in future outages.

Question 7

What exact metrics prove the failover test was truly successful?

Accepted Answer

During a controlled failover, capture: failover latency (time from primary WAN loss to traffic on cellular), downtime duration, and whether critical services remained reachable (VPN, remote access, monitoring, essential cloud apps). Verify the backup SIM was active, had data, and used the correct APN, and confirm external antennas or MIMO paths were functioning during the switch. Ensure remote management stays accessible over cellular, that alerts and logs record the transition, and note any disruption to dependent sessions (like EFTPOS or VOIP) in a test log. Define pass/fail criteria and repeat the test plan at intervals to verify reliability.

Question 8

What’s the best way to share LED states and logs with you?

Accepted Answer

Share a concise incident snapshot: router model and firmware version, SIM carrier, site location, and the LED states you observed during the fault, plus the fault time window and any status messages. If you can, export or screenshot the diagnostic data (or export the router log file with timestamps) and send that along with steps to reproduce. Include whether the issue follows the SIM or stays with the hardware so Comset can distinguish provisioning or coverage problems from hardware faults.

Question 9

What’s the simplest way to export time-series readings from the router for sharing?

Accepted Answer

Collect time-aligned readings: RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, current serving band and cell ID, registration state, and the assigned IP; note data counters and the exact timestamp. Also capture WAN health-check results, last reboot time, power events and SIM switch events, plus any error messages. Export to CSV or use the router’s export function and share the file with Comset so we can tell whether the issue is radio quality, antenna path, or configuration.

Question 10

How should I compare shortlisted models to pick the best fit?

Accepted Answer

For each shortlisted model, check them against your five non-negotiables: carrier and bands, required interfaces (LAN, Wi‑Fi, serial, GPIO, GPS, PoE), power and environmental limits, uptime/redundancy, and remote access method. Ensure every model meets these essentials before weighing other factors. Then compare deployment practicality: antenna mounting options, cable length and losses, remote management capabilities, firmware and support lifecycle, and total cost of ownership over time. Trade‑offs between stronger hardware and support quality can matter more than specs alone in real deployments. If you want a quick, practical decision, Comset can review your shortlist against these criteria and deliver a clear model recommendation plus a deployment plan.

Question 11

What happens after I share all that info—how is a complete kit shown?

Accepted Answer

Once we have your practical site picture, Comset will propose a complete router/antenna kit tailored to that site, not just a single device. The kit will be selected to match your environment, interfaces and remote-management needs, and will take mounting, power, and protection requirements into account. You’ll typically see a package that specifies a suitable industrial router, the antenna system (including any MIMO considerations), mounting hardware or enclosure, power supply, cabling, and any necessary accessories for remote access, VPN, dual-SIM, or fleet management. We’ll also outline the recommended configuration and installation guidance so your team can implement it smoothly. If you approve the kit, we can provide a formal quote, lead times and installation considerations. If any details are missing, we’ll point out what’s needed to finalize the package.

Question 12

What exact site data should I gather to compare 4G vs 5G?

Accepted Answer

On-site data to collect includes which carriers work there, which 4G/5G bands are available, and real signal quality metrics (updatesI, SINR, observed throughput) at the router location. Note any obstacles like walls or metal structures that affect reception. Usage profile matters: list every device and interface (LAN, Wi‑Fi, serial, GPIO), expected data volumes (peak vs average), and what needs remote access or VPNs. Also capture uptime requirements and failover expectations so you know whether the site can tolerate a temporary outage. Hardware and test plan: power availability, enclosure, mounting constraints, antenna placement, and whether dual-SIM or remote management is needed. Plan a short pilot or bench test to compare a 4G/4GX vs 5G solution under real conditions, measuring latency, jitter, and stability. Comset can help set up a side-by-side test plan once you share the site data.

Cellular Backup for NBN and Fixed WAN

Answers About Cellular Backup for NBN and Fixed WAN

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