Networking expert CradlePoint has launched a new premium router designed to keep your Internet connection ticking over no matter what happens to your physical wires.
At first glance the MBR1200 is a fairly standard – if strangely bulky – wireless router. As described over on Tom’s Hardware, however, it’s got a trick up its sleeve – namely, a selection of slots for mobile broadband equipment.
As well as the standard wired Ethernet port for an Internet connection, the MBR1200 features a trio of USB 2.0 ports, an ExpressCard slot, and a PC Card slot – all designed to accept cell-network 3G or 4G modems. While the wired port is used as the primary method of connection, the mobile broadband modem – whether it’s hooked up via USB or inserted into one of the card slots – will be kicked into life should the main connection fail for any reason.
It’s a neat idea – and one which will please companies that rely on their Internet connection being up at all times in order to do business. While there’s a short period of downtime between the initial connection failing and the backup wireless connection kicking in, it is minimal – and once the main connection comes back online, the wireless connection is disconnected in order to avoid expensive data transfer fees.
A glance at the MBR1200′s other features reinforces the impression that this is a router designed for business rather than home use: the router is capable of acting as both an endpoint for encrypted IPSec virtual private network connections as well as initiating them itself in order to connect remote offices to a central location in a secure manner, while the 802.11b/g/n wireless should be powerful enough to cover a reasonably-sized office with CradlePoint claiming it has a 600-foot range in a normal office environment.. The wired ports are full Gigabit speed, too – so there should be no bottleneck for local connections if the MBR1200 is your main switch in a small office.
The main hint that this is a serious business device for serious business networking, however, is the price: CradlePoint is looking for a rather hefty $349.99 – and that doesn’t include the cost of a mobile broadband card or USB dongle, which must be provided by the user. However, if your business relies on its Internet connection and your wired line is a trifle flaky, it could work out to be the best $350 you’ve ever spent.
