July 2, 2019 at 09:53Internet for the summer resident. Part 4. One SIM card is enough
Subject mobile country Internet does not let me go and I decided to continue the tests. Last time I tested a Russian industrial router, but this time I will compare the finished products, in which it is enough to insert a SIM card and mount it on a rack to get a pretty decent Internet. The test will be Zyxel LTE7460 and Microdrive NR-410 street routers . Go to a stable and fast internet in your home!
In a separate segment for summer residents and owners of private houses, companies produce ready-made devices - street routers. The requirements for such systems are much higher than for ordinary home devices, because the operating conditions are noticeably different: in the sun in the summer it can be +60, and on a winter night the temperatures drop to -30 -40. In all these modes, the router must function and provide the user with communication. Therefore, in such systems sealed boxes and components of another class are used.
As a rule, an external router is a sealed box in which an antenna and a router that is powered by PoE are located. This power method allows you to stretch only one cable to an external device, instead of two: power + data. I chose a couple of popular models that can provide the user with a decent level of access to the network. Compare their characteristics.
Microdrive NR-410 We
meet a rather interesting router from a Russian manufacturer. It is already interesting because it is relatively inexpensive - less than 11 thousand rubles. This is comparable to a good home router and an external antenna from my tests earlier. The device itself is sealed and consists of two parts: antenna + router.
At the same time, the antenna resembles the “gun” type rather than the usual panel one. It has a polarization that is indicated on the back.
The router has an installation space for a standard size SIM card. Also, the user will need to connect the pigtails from the antenna to the router. That is, in order to prepare the device for work, you need, at a minimum, a screwdriver and the absence of fear of technology.
According to the manufacturer, the router can operate at temperatures up to -40 - for this, the board has a heating system before starting. The mast mount is also included. That is, the user will need to purchase additionally only a SIM card of a suitable operator and a bar / mast on which the device will be mounted.
The router has a built-in Wi-Fi module with an omnidirectional antenna inside. Thus, a wireless network access area is created around the antenna. If you just come to the cottage with gadgets that do not require a wired connection, this will be enough for comfortable work. You can simply plug the power adapter into a power outlet, point the antenna at the base station, and enjoy network access.
It should be noted that the firmware is regularly updated and shortly before the release of the article, a new release was released that allows you to organize a VPN network using the OpenVPN and L2TP protocols. Thus, you can create a closed network with work or with your home, organizing a free exchange of data, as in a local network.
Zyxel LTE7460
This router was already on my test and showed good speed and reliability. It is noticeably more user-friendly, if only because you do not need to disassemble it to start work. The SIM card and cable are connected indiscriminately, so even a screwdriver is not required. But I could not help looking inside.
In a sealed box inside, there is a router board and a panel antenna on a textolite. Its gain is 8 decibels, which is almost half that of a Russian competitor. The back cover is made of metal and serves as a radiator for the warming elements of the router.
The router is not equipped with a Wi-Fi module and connection to it is carried out only by cable. On it comes power through the PoE injector, which is included in the kit. The device also supports the organization of closed VPN networks via PPTP or L2TP, but does not support OpenVPN. Yes, and firmware is issued infrequently: the date of the most current at the moment is December 2017. A good package includes a convenient bracket for mounting on a mast or pole.
Testing methodology
As in all my tests of mobile routers, I adhere to the same measurement method so that the data can be compared and the experiment be repeated. The test was carried out on a weekday during the daytime, when there were no summer residents yet, and ordinary users were at work. Thus, a small load of the BS is achieved and a real data transfer rate under normal conditions can be obtained. One of my experiments showed that the highest download speeds can be expected from 1 to 4 am, but who needs such indicators when we use the Internet mainly during the day?
Data transmission was carried out over 4G (LTE), since this channel is allocated specifically for data and is not loaded with voice traffic. The measurement itself was carried out using the Speedtest.net service and each measurement was performed three times in order to level out random jumps in speed. As a result, I got an average download and data transfer speed.
Results
Still not looking at the results, we can assume that the Microdrive router will be faster than the Zyxel device, because it has an antenna with a high gain. In addition, I will give the parameters RSRP and SINR, which are crucial for transmitting data over a 4G network.
And now it's time to look at the test results. The download speed of the Microdrive NR-410 was 31.59 Mbit / s versus 23.48 Mbit / s of the Zyxel LTE7460. In principle, both routers allow quite comfortable viewing videos in FullHD or surfing the network. The difference of 8 Mbit / s is not very significant for one user, but if you work with large amounts of data or like to shake, then the 8 Mbit increase will be noticeable. But with regard to data transfer, then the NR-410 noticeably took the lead: 20.57 Mbit / s versus 7.2 Mbit / s.
Summary
It's time to take stock. The router from the Russian manufacturer Microdrive came out high-speed, productive and more functional than the Zyxel. It noticeably overtakes in speed, but inferior in terms of initial preparation for work: the user needs to tinker with a screwdriver, and to connect tiny pigtails himself. In this regard, the implementation of preparation for work at Zyxel looks better: unscrewed the sealed cover, inserted the SIM card and you can connect. On the other hand, such a setting in the Russian router must be done once before starting work, and after that only use the device and enjoy mobile access to the network.
It should be added that the router from Zyxel supports link aggregation. With better signal quality and operator support for this feature, the LTE7460 could theoretically provide greater speed. But in conditions of the remote location of the BS, an antenna with a higher gain plays a crucial role. Therefore, in ideal conditions for maximum speed, you can recommend the Zyxel LTE7460, and in the case of moving away from the BS at a decent distance, it would be better to take the Microdrive NR-410.
Bonus
I noticed that quite often, where the mobile Internet is used, there is a video surveillance system. Sometimes it’s just a cloud camera, and sometimes there are systems with a DVR. With rare exceptions, mobile operators do not give users a white IP address, which means they cannot connect to such cameras or NVRs: you need to create a VPN network with some server that already has a white IP. In Russia, there is a team that found a solution to the problem and created its own Birevia service. This is forwarding ports from a white IP address to your router. It is implemented simply: a white IP address and port range are issued. The router connects via PPTP or L2TP protocol to the VPN server and the dedicated ports on your router are forwarded to the desired device. But you need to distinguish between a VPN service and port forwarding: you cannot connect devices to a VPN network. In addition to CCTV cameras, you can forward other services if necessary, but the main customers of the service use this service in this way. But there is one BUT! The router must be able to forward ports not only from the WAN interface, through which data is received and transmitted to the network, but also from the VPN channel.
In general, the port forwarding service to a gray IP address is very interesting. Thus, it is possible to ensure the operation of closed for NAT services of any systems, and not just video surveillance when accessing via mobile networks. In general, the service is interesting and there is also free test access.
Previous 4G Router Tests
In a separate segment for summer residents and owners of private houses, companies produce ready-made devices - street routers. The requirements for such systems are much higher than for ordinary home devices, because the operating conditions are noticeably different: in the sun in the summer it can be +60, and on a winter night the temperatures drop to -30 -40. In all these modes, the router must function and provide the user with communication. Therefore, in such systems sealed boxes and components of another class are used.
As a rule, an external router is a sealed box in which an antenna and a router that is powered by PoE are located. This power method allows you to stretch only one cable to an external device, instead of two: power + data. I chose a couple of popular models that can provide the user with a decent level of access to the network. Compare their characteristics.
Microdrive NR-410 We
meet a rather interesting router from a Russian manufacturer. It is already interesting because it is relatively inexpensive - less than 11 thousand rubles. This is comparable to a good home router and an external antenna from my tests earlier. The device itself is sealed and consists of two parts: antenna + router.
At the same time, the antenna resembles the “gun” type rather than the usual panel one. It has a polarization that is indicated on the back.
The router has an installation space for a standard size SIM card. Also, the user will need to connect the pigtails from the antenna to the router. That is, in order to prepare the device for work, you need, at a minimum, a screwdriver and the absence of fear of technology.
According to the manufacturer, the router can operate at temperatures up to -40 - for this, the board has a heating system before starting. The mast mount is also included. That is, the user will need to purchase additionally only a SIM card of a suitable operator and a bar / mast on which the device will be mounted.
The router has a built-in Wi-Fi module with an omnidirectional antenna inside. Thus, a wireless network access area is created around the antenna. If you just come to the cottage with gadgets that do not require a wired connection, this will be enough for comfortable work. You can simply plug the power adapter into a power outlet, point the antenna at the base station, and enjoy network access.
It should be noted that the firmware is regularly updated and shortly before the release of the article, a new release was released that allows you to organize a VPN network using the OpenVPN and L2TP protocols. Thus, you can create a closed network with work or with your home, organizing a free exchange of data, as in a local network.
Zyxel LTE7460
This router was already on my test and showed good speed and reliability. It is noticeably more user-friendly, if only because you do not need to disassemble it to start work. The SIM card and cable are connected indiscriminately, so even a screwdriver is not required. But I could not help looking inside.
In a sealed box inside, there is a router board and a panel antenna on a textolite. Its gain is 8 decibels, which is almost half that of a Russian competitor. The back cover is made of metal and serves as a radiator for the warming elements of the router.
The router is not equipped with a Wi-Fi module and connection to it is carried out only by cable. On it comes power through the PoE injector, which is included in the kit. The device also supports the organization of closed VPN networks via PPTP or L2TP, but does not support OpenVPN. Yes, and firmware is issued infrequently: the date of the most current at the moment is December 2017. A good package includes a convenient bracket for mounting on a mast or pole.
Testing methodology
As in all my tests of mobile routers, I adhere to the same measurement method so that the data can be compared and the experiment be repeated. The test was carried out on a weekday during the daytime, when there were no summer residents yet, and ordinary users were at work. Thus, a small load of the BS is achieved and a real data transfer rate under normal conditions can be obtained. One of my experiments showed that the highest download speeds can be expected from 1 to 4 am, but who needs such indicators when we use the Internet mainly during the day?
Data transmission was carried out over 4G (LTE), since this channel is allocated specifically for data and is not loaded with voice traffic. The measurement itself was carried out using the Speedtest.net service and each measurement was performed three times in order to level out random jumps in speed. As a result, I got an average download and data transfer speed.
Results
Still not looking at the results, we can assume that the Microdrive router will be faster than the Zyxel device, because it has an antenna with a high gain. In addition, I will give the parameters RSRP and SINR, which are crucial for transmitting data over a 4G network.
And now it's time to look at the test results. The download speed of the Microdrive NR-410 was 31.59 Mbit / s versus 23.48 Mbit / s of the Zyxel LTE7460. In principle, both routers allow quite comfortable viewing videos in FullHD or surfing the network. The difference of 8 Mbit / s is not very significant for one user, but if you work with large amounts of data or like to shake, then the 8 Mbit increase will be noticeable. But with regard to data transfer, then the NR-410 noticeably took the lead: 20.57 Mbit / s versus 7.2 Mbit / s.
Summary
It's time to take stock. The router from the Russian manufacturer Microdrive came out high-speed, productive and more functional than the Zyxel. It noticeably overtakes in speed, but inferior in terms of initial preparation for work: the user needs to tinker with a screwdriver, and to connect tiny pigtails himself. In this regard, the implementation of preparation for work at Zyxel looks better: unscrewed the sealed cover, inserted the SIM card and you can connect. On the other hand, such a setting in the Russian router must be done once before starting work, and after that only use the device and enjoy mobile access to the network.
It should be added that the router from Zyxel supports link aggregation. With better signal quality and operator support for this feature, the LTE7460 could theoretically provide greater speed. But in conditions of the remote location of the BS, an antenna with a higher gain plays a crucial role. Therefore, in ideal conditions for maximum speed, you can recommend the Zyxel LTE7460, and in the case of moving away from the BS at a decent distance, it would be better to take the Microdrive NR-410.
Bonus
I noticed that quite often, where the mobile Internet is used, there is a video surveillance system. Sometimes it’s just a cloud camera, and sometimes there are systems with a DVR. With rare exceptions, mobile operators do not give users a white IP address, which means they cannot connect to such cameras or NVRs: you need to create a VPN network with some server that already has a white IP. In Russia, there is a team that found a solution to the problem and created its own Birevia service. This is forwarding ports from a white IP address to your router. It is implemented simply: a white IP address and port range are issued. The router connects via PPTP or L2TP protocol to the VPN server and the dedicated ports on your router are forwarded to the desired device. But you need to distinguish between a VPN service and port forwarding: you cannot connect devices to a VPN network. In addition to CCTV cameras, you can forward other services if necessary, but the main customers of the service use this service in this way. But there is one BUT! The router must be able to forward ports not only from the WAN interface, through which data is received and transmitted to the network, but also from the VPN channel.
In general, the port forwarding service to a gray IP address is very interesting. Thus, it is possible to ensure the operation of closed for NAT services of any systems, and not just video surveillance when accessing via mobile networks. In general, the service is interesting and there is also free test access.