Cradlepoint CTR500 Mobile Broadband Router
Mobile broadband this last year has started to become quite popular. The ability to put a SIM card in a compatible laptop, or use a USB dongle has allowed people on the move to connect to the internet where ever they can pick up a 3G mobile phone signal. The Cradlepoint CTR500 takes things a step further by allowing a number of computers to connect to it and share the connection. This comes in handy for people on business trips or maybe even groups who want to work together sharing the same connection.
The CTR500 connects up to EVDO and 3G networks and creates a wireless network for other computers to connect to it. You do need to connect a USB model to the device to connect to the web but once connected it allows up to 32 people to share the connection wirelessly.
The CTR500 mobile broadband router can also be used with an option antenna for improving signal quality to get the most out of it. It supports multiple VPN pass-through and for wireless security it has WEP at 64/128Bit as well as WPA and WPA2 encryption.
Working
Connect a data-ready cellular phone into the USB host port, and the CTR500 automatically establishes a connection to your cellular provider’s data network. It works similar to the way a home router manages a DSL or Cable modem (connect and forget).
Once you plug in a Cellular USB modem or a Handset equipped with a phone-as-modem tethered data plan, you can associate your PC with the CTR500 just like in a Café Hotspot and you’re on the Internet. You can optionally use the RJ-45 Ethernet port with a wired LAN to give you easy shared wireless access when available.
Secure and Reliable
The high-performance router platform supports multiple and concurrent VPN pass-through sessions, plus encryption modes including WPA2 Personal and Enterprise to provide secure client access. Unique built-in auto-failover between broadband sources enables wireless backup applications and maximum uptime.
Simple
CradlePoint’s built-in Setup Wizard provides diskless set up of security settings – getting a remote workgroup up and running quickly regardless of OS or device-type on the network. For site selection and placement convenience, the CTR500 also includes a signal strength mode, which enables external LED indication of cellular signal strength.
Specifications
• Model #: CTR500 Cellular Travel Router
• WiFi Standards: IEEE 802.11b/g
• Cellular Network Connection: Compatible 3G handset with USB data connection, USB Cellular
• modems, and Express Card cellular modems (EVDO and HSDPA; see supported devices list for
• details)
• Wired Network Connection: 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet port (switchable LAN/WAN)
• Firewall: NAT (Network Address Translation) with SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection)
• Security and Access Control: Enable/Disable SSID, Internet Access Control (Services, URL, MAC, and
• DNS based)
• Encryption: 64/128 bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
• Network Applications Support: UPnP, ALG, Email, FTP, Gaming, Remote Desktop, NetMeeting,
• Telnet and others
• Business Applications Support: Multiple and Concurrent IPSEC, L2TP and PPTP VPN pass-through
• sessions
• Platform Compatibility: Windows 98SE/NT/2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X, Linux, and WiFi-enabled PDAs
• Firmware Upgrade: Flash based with save and restore options (available from www.cradlepoint.com)
• Device Management: Local and remote via Web Browser (HTTP)
• LED Indicators: Power, WLAN (wireless LAN status), WAN/LAN (Ethernet link status), USB modem
• active, ExpressCard modem active, Cellular Signal Strength
• Dimensions: 4.8″ x 2.8″ x 0.8″ (122 mm x 73 mm x 18.5 mm)
• Weight: 4.0 oz.
• Certifications: FCC, CE, IC, RoHS, Wi-Fi Alliance
• Operating Temp: 0 C to 50 C
Applications
Mobile Business
CradlePoint’s CTR500 teamed with your EVDO or HSDPA cell phone or a Cellular USB modem gives you and your team instant, reliable, and secure Internet access wherever you work. Great for simplifying individual access as well as sharing – no need to add hardware or software to your PC or your colleagues’ PC to get connected to the broadband cellular networks. Finally, you can have the convenience of WiFi and the coverage of cellular in one solution.
RV/Vacation
All the luxuries of home include Internet access – even if home is on the road or away from home. The CradlePoint CTR500 Cellular Travel Router gives you a great way to unleash the modem built-in your Cellular phone. And tethered data service can be activated for just the months you need it instead of making long term commitments. An added feature is the ability to put your phone where you have signal, and use your laptop where it’s convenient. With the CradlePoint CTR500 router, you no longer have to hunt around for a public WiFi hotspot to get Internet access when on vacation.
Emergency Response
The CradlePoint CTR500 travel router provides the most compact portable WiFi solution available. And it quickly allows you to set up vital communication links in seconds. Responders will be able to share vital documents, emails, and mission critical information without the usual hassles. The CradlePoint CTR500 is your instant infrastructure solution for EVDO and HSDPA networks and is tuned to work with the latest USB modems.
Construction
Whether at a remote site or in the trailer, for short time periods or extended, the CradlePoint CTR500 cellular router provides a perfect solution for Internet connectivity when space and convenience are a premium. Plus, it supports Mobile PCs as well as handheld computers and PDAs for easy WiFi internet access regardless of what infrastructure your team uses. Ease of use and solid network performance are yours with the CradlePoint CTR500.
CradlePoint CTR500 Cellular Travel Router Features
• Fully compliant 802.11b/g router
• Supports external 802.11 antenna (not included)
• Compatible with Express Card and USB style cellular modems (EVDO and HSDPA networks)
• Supports select handsets via USB cable
• 10/100 Ethernet port switchable as WAN or LAN
• Auto-failover mode for a compact broadband source backup solution
• Cellular signal strength indication on top panel eases site selection
• Powered by WiPipe™ technology
Compatibility
Supported modems, handsets & data cards can be found by contacting a RACO Product Specialist.
Company Profile
Cradlepoint is a global leader in the design, development and manufacture of 3G/4G mobile broadband network solutions, serving business and consumer markets. The company engineers and produces cellular routers, portable hotspots, docking cradles and software platforms that facilitate secure mobile computing. Cradlepoint’s unique WiPipe™ technology provides access and traffic management that improves the security and quality of the online mobile experience and supports new revenue streams for network providers. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho Cradlepoint maintains sales offices in Montana, Florida, Kansas and Texas.
Conclusion
CradlePoint’s family of routers offers features necessary for businesses of all types to stay connected, even when wired ISP service is interrupted or is not easily available. The “plug ‘n’ play” set up of CradlePoint routers is attractive to offices with limited IT resources. “Using our routers for redundant or backup to a wired ISP has always been a great feature for CradlePoint users. With WiMAX, businesses have the option of doing away with wired ISP services and directly connecting to the Clear service as their primary connection.” said Jack Alton, CradlePoint VP of Sales..
CradlePoint’s firmware release version 1.5.1, available April 6 for current customers, puts the power of WiMAX into the hands of consumers and businesses, and enables a new class of business-capable mobile broadband with 4G download speeds that exceed DSL, and rival cable modem speeds. The release offers continued support for all current 3G devices, over 70 different combinations of modems and cellular broadband networks.
“CradlePoint’s ability to interface with over one billion Wi-Fi enabled devices in use today–from laptops and netbooks to desktop PCs, printers, VoIP phones, cameras and PDAs–maximizes the potential of Clearwire’s network, while simultaneously improving the user-experience of its subscribers.” said Alton.
So if you only have an express card modem then the CTR500 is right for your specific needs.
