4G wireless fixed IP router.

[normalbloke]

G’day all. We need to install decent internet connection into a small metal cabinet to be able to talk to CCTV at the gate/cabinet area. We’re looking for a device that will provide this and not bankrupt us. It’s going to be in an IP rated/heated cabinet with the NVR, so it will need to have a detachable or external aerial. What would be the best solution with regards to reliability and value for money? Any things I need to consider that I’ve overlooked (I’m not very IT literate but also not a complete spanner). Thanks for taking the time to read this far!

[megaphone]

Do you have line of sight to the main building? If so you could set-up a wifi bridge and have the NVR back in the main building on internet.

[anonymous-user]

Assuming the cabinet has power and is on the same circuit as your domestic fuse board, you could go with powerline adapters?

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing-accessorie...

[cml24]

As mentioned above if you can link it back to the home network that might be easier. Not possible to run an ethernet cable?

We have a 4g modem / router and it's a little unreliable. A tp link one. Fine for the house but I'd not recommend it for your situation.

I don't know enough about industrial versions, but there are plenty of choices that would be more suitable for the cold and damp environment. Nearly everyone will use external aerials.

[HantsRat]

You wont find a fixed IP on 4G on the consumer market. It'll be easier and cheaper to use a DDNS service but if you have line of site use a PTP bridge such as 2 x Unifi Nanostations.

[normalbloke]

Thankyou for the suggestions so far. We do not want to run if from anybody else’s network or broadband. We are a small private estate and as residents, we are now the management company. We want this to be stand alone. We’ve pretty much ruled out getting a BT line installed( because BT) and the 4G route seems the slickest. The system doesn’t rely on the internet, except for anyone interrogating the NVR or if we choose to set the CCTV to alarm anybody. The cold and damp will not be an issue, because it won’t be cold and damp.

[cml24]

HantsRat said:

You wont find a fixed IP on 4G on the consumer market. It'll be easier and cheaper to use a DDNS service but if you have line of site use a PTP bridge such as 2 x Unifi Nanostations.

Oops, I read that as fixed (static location) IP (ingress protection) rather than static IP.

[page3]

HantsRat said:

You wont find a fixed IP on 4G on the consumer market. It'll be easier and cheaper to use a DDNS service but if you have line of site use a PTP bridge such as 2 x Unifi Nanostations.

Easy enough to use a l2tp vpn service to give fixed IP, bypass CGNAT and other wireless oddities. AAISP do just such a service, which works great.

[silentbrown]

TP-Link MR6400 router is probably a good bet. Removable antenna, cheap.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-MR6400-Unlocked-Config...

Your IP address is at the mercy of the service provider, but it seems most offer fixed IP sim cards, if a DDNS service doesn't work for you.

https://www.3grouterstore.co.uk/3G/4G-Fixed-IP-SIM...

[page3]

silentbrown said:

TP-Link MR6400 router is probably a good bet. Removable antenna, cheap.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-MR6400-Unlocked-Config...

Your IP address is at the mercy of the service provider, but it seems most offer fixed IP sim cards, if a DDNS service doesn't work for you.

https://www.3grouterstore.co.uk/3G/4G-Fixed-IP-SIM...

bonkers prices though. Just get an unlimited tariff for around £20-£25 and a vpn for £10 to give a fixed IP. You may find you don’t even need the fixed IP depending on your needs.

[silentbrown]

page3 said:

onkers prices though. Just get an unlimited tariff for around £20-£25 and a vpn for £10 to give a fixed IP. You may find you don’t even need the fixed IP depending on your needs.

Well, yes. OP hasn't given any real idea of budget or monthly data requirements. The fixed IP SIMs are probably OK cost-wise if you're not using much data.

[normalbloke]

Thankyou all for your help and suggestions. We have had a CSL system recommendaed to us. Prices seem reasonable and it’s fixed IP with a dual sim setup. It’s is aimed at CCTV systems etc. It is only to view the cameras when seldom needed, so not masses of data transfer. The NVR will be in a cabinet local to the gates.

[silentbrown]

normalbloke said:

Thankyou all for your help and suggestions. We have had a CSL system recommendaed to us. Prices seem reasonable and it’s fixed IP with a dual sim setup. It’s is aimed at CCTV systems etc. It is only to view the cameras when seldom needed, so not masses of data transfer. The NVR will be in a cabinet local to the gates.

CSL looks interesting. Rather more rugged construction than the TP-Link things, which are more home/office use, although I wouldn't want to hazard a guess about which is actually more robust in the longer term.

I couldn't see any price details for the CSL router and their services? But it sounds likes you've got professional installers/integrators involved, so if you go with their recommendation you'll avoid the finger-pointing if it goes pear-shaped!

[normalbloke]

silentbrown said:

normalbloke said:

Thankyou all for your help and suggestions. We have had a CSL system recommendaed to us. Prices seem reasonable and it’s fixed IP with a dual sim setup. It’s is aimed at CCTV systems etc. It is only to view the cameras when seldom needed, so not masses of data transfer. The NVR will be in a cabinet local to the gates.

CSL looks interesting. Rather more rugged construction than the TP-Link things, which are more home/office use, although I wouldn't want to hazard a guess about which is actually more robust in the longer term.

I couldn't see any price details for the CSL router and their services? But it sounds likes you've got professional installers/integrators involved, so if you go with their recommendation you'll avoid the finger-pointing if it goes pear-shaped!

You’ve hit the nail on the head. The installer couldn’t understand why we wanted to stay away from fixed line( awkward installation and didn’t want it in any one person’s name). He now understands. He can supply the CSL unit. It is paid for on a yearly basis, it is supplied already configured, with the dual sims in for the area we are in. The router is owned by them, not us, so failure isn’t an issue. It’s also going to be in a heated IP cabinet.Costs are approx 30 pm for 5 gig. I’m pretty sure that will be enough, but am waiting back for the next band up for data pricing and also costs for going over, although a hard stop can be added if required.

[anonymous-user]

normalbloke said:

You’ve hit the nail on the head. The installer couldn’t understand why we wanted to stay away from fixed line( awkward installation and didn’t want it in any one person’s name). He now understands. He can supply the CSL unit. It is paid for on a yearly basis, it is supplied already configured, with the dual sims in for the area we are in. The router is owned by them, not us, so failure isn’t an issue. It’s also going to be in a heated IP cabinet.Costs are approx 30 pm for 5 gig. I’m pretty sure that will be enough, but am waiting back for the next band up for data pricing and also costs for going over, although a hard stop can be added if required.

Sounds expensive, 5GB is about £10 month Sim only so I guess you have something else bundled into that. I’m also a shareholder/director in a property management company for a hotel we’ve converted into flats. We have a phone line that services the lift and fire alarm which the company pays for so no need for it to be in any one person’s name, assuming you are set up the same...

[normalbloke]

wormus said:

normalbloke said:

You’ve hit the nail on the head. The installer couldn’t understand why we wanted to stay away from fixed line( awkward installation and didn’t want it in any one person’s name). He now understands. He can supply the CSL unit. It is paid for on a yearly basis, it is supplied already configured, with the dual sims in for the area we are in. The router is owned by them, not us, so failure isn’t an issue. It’s also going to be in a heated IP cabinet.Costs are approx 30 pm for 5 gig. I’m pretty sure that will be enough, but am waiting back for the next band up for data pricing and also costs for going over, although a hard stop can be added if required.

Sounds expensive, 5GB is about £10 month Sim only so I guess you have something else bundled into that. I’m also a shareholder/director in a property management company for a hotel we’ve converted into flats. We have a phone line that services the lift and fire alarm which the company pays for so no need for it to be in any one person’s name, assuming you are set up the same...

Thankyou. Because fixed IP. We’re happy with this solution for year one, we are time limited so we may consider a landline solution going forward for year two. Appreciate everyone’s input btw, it’s been very useful, and plenty of food for thought.