Outside the IT industry, there are many vertical markets with large distributed networks that require secure remote access, control, data monitoring and collection. Customers around the world; in telecommunications, medical, point of sale, SCADA and utility markets are deploying Opengear products to remotely control and manage their distributed devices. The reason being that Opengear delivers them solutions that are robust, secure, configurable and affordable.
Flexible configurable solutions
Telematics and industrial control demand solutions that can be customized to remotely monitor and manage proprietary equipment. Opengear's products all embody a robust LINUX core with open source extensions, so our embedded code is configurable and extensible. The IMG/IM/CM4000 products can execute custom code segments and support custom protocols.
The SD4000 secure device server range is more appropriate in environments custom signaling or power is required; such as remote control of the serial console ports on utility meters, SCADA appliances, PLCs and sensors in hostile environments or interconnecting RS-232/422/485 serial devices to an Ethernet network. The SD4000 devices have the same software features and command interfaces as the IMG/IM/CM4000 range. Thus Opengear customers and partners can be flexible as to the solutions they deploy.
Connecting legacy devices and networks to a WAN or the Internet provides new challenges to many service providers, utilities, network providers and industrial sites. These customers need advanced and generally custom monitoring capabilities in addition to secure controlled access.
Opengear provides a secure solution for the bridge between legacy networks and devices, and IP-based networks. We deliver services well beyond simple legacy connectivity to IP gateways may be currently deployed. As many legacy protocols are somewhat closed Opengear provides a customization service to create legacy to IP protocol conversion.
Serial bridging
In many cases the customers are still controlling legacy devices with proprietary serial communications, but they are replacing their dedicated legacy networks to use the Internet for remote access. Security and reliability are imperative, particularly when the networks being controlled are essential services like the electricity or telecommunications grids. CM4008 devices have been deployed state wide by one power utility customer to provide secure bridge management of their distributed serially controlled devices (such as pole-top reclosers).
All IMG/IM/CM/SD4000 devices support serial bridging wherein each gateway encrypts the serial data then encapsulates it into network packets for transport over a network. With this particular power utility customer the CM4008 code also was customized to support proprietary protocols and authentication requirements. Previously they had maintained their own private telecommunications network so the reclosers were isolated from malicious attacks on the network. Now, however, they are controlling their remote sub-stations and switching sites using public communications links, including satellite and the Internet. So it was essential that the interconnecting CM4008s delivered a totally secure virtual serial connection.
Remote Monitoring
Customers around the world are deploying Opengear console servers and gateways to manage their remote infrastructure and to monitor equipment and activity at remote customer sites. The CM4000-48V family has been installed by one European telco in their POPs to provide secure authenticated remote access to this infrastructure. Opengear equipment is also being used by major finance institutions to remotely monitor and audit transactions at their distributed networks of automatic terminal devices.
