Fail-over connection

[RedvGreen]

Hello OcUKers!

I’m making our business a little more robust, and alongside getting IPCCTV which auto-uploads to the cloud, I’ve also invested in a UPS to look after the PoE switch/NVR.

I’m looking to install the final piece in the puzzle - connect a failover 4G router to the network (and UPS) so that the cameras and remote feed access is possible even if the wires internet is down AND power is down at the same time.

the question is, does such an automated facility exist?
I would be looking to keep my existing Router (which manages DHCP, also on a small UPS) but get an additional 4G router or device which can sit on the network redundant until required, and when it detects no wired WAN connection, it kicks in the 4G automatically and feeds that into the network.

Any advice or product recommendations gratefully received.

 

[RedvGreen]

What kind of Router/WLAN system do you have? If you’re running the UniFi controller then have a look at uLTE which is available as a Beta product in Europe at the moment but it’s been out in the US for quite a while and it’s pretty robust. That would do most of what you want. But you need to be running the UniFi controller.

https://eu.store.ui.com/collections/early-access/products/unifi-lte-pro-beta

CCTV - that’s going to need a P2P connection so Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, Verkada, Synology and QNAP solutions will all do that. Just be aware that it’s not exactly secure because you’re going through their servers but beggars can’t be choosers and it’s only for failover purposes.

We do actually have a UniFi system and a controller. No spare PoE ports though, but could justify upgrading the UniFi switch.

I appreciate that device is beta in EU, however will it play happy and only be used when the main internet drops?

the business has BT Fibre via a SmartHub2

 

[RedvGreen]

If you have BT Business already then just add 4G assure. This also solves the public IP problem as they fail over as well.

unfortunately there are no suitable 4G suppliers that BT could piggy back in my area from, so they couldn’t offer that solution.

 

[RedvGreen]

Unable to use the EE(/BT) network in your location? Or there isn't a 4G signal from any network in your location?

I believe the BT 4G Assure dongle is the same as a Huawei MS2372h, in which case you should be able to swap the SIM card (requires opening the case) to another network and still use the SmartHub2 to handle fall-over.
Alternatively you could try a Huawei MS2372h.



Does the SmartHub2 support multiple WAN's, other than USB 4G, for fall-over?
From what i know it doesn't, so you'll need to change it to something that can handle fall-over to another WAN if you want to implement the above.

Personally, it'd be easier to replace it with a AIO solution like a Draytek V2862LAC.



Can this be used independently as a 4G modem/bridge or does it require a USG (etc)?

So, the Huawei MS2372h device must be plugged in directly to the SH2, or can it sit anywhere on a network infrastructure device with USB connections?

Yes, we don't have any BT/EE signal here, much to my dismay.