Cloud Management Services for Cellular Routers 

What They Are & Why You Should Use Them

When you purchase some sort of electronic device, you normally have the option of purchasing an extended warranty for it. This might not only give you the option of hardware replacement, but added benefits. When it comes to routers – like the ones we carry from Cradlepoint, Digi, Inseego, Peplink, and Sierra Wireless – you may also have the added benefit of a cloud management service. 

What is a Cloud Management Service? 

This is essentially a website you can log into from anywhere in the world and both monitor and manage your routers remotely. Of course, in order to be able to do this, you must have a valid warranty and or cloud subscription for each of your routers. 

Why Should I Use a Cloud Manager?

Cloud management services are somewhat similar to device registrations with the manufacturer. It proves you own the device and protects it from being added to another user’s management account. They help to keep an eye on your devices by monitoring the health of the device, its uptime, and signal strength. Configurations are streamlined, as it allows you to get devices online more quickly.

What Benefits Do Cloud Managers Provide?

Other than remote visibility of your routers’ connection status in real-time, there are several benefits to having cloud management service for your devices. 

• Lower Overall Management Costs: Reducing the cost of configuring and deploying your devices through a single platform.
• Increased Productivity: Manage multiple devices at the same time and reach your goals more quickly and efficiently.
• Maintenance: Minimizing the cost of keeping your devices current and secure with easy deployment of software and security updates.
• Security: Lock down access to your devices to authorized personnel and improve the overall security on your networks. 

Common features include:

• Configuration by device or group
  • Save time by setting up configurations that can then be uploaded to your device or groups of devices. Most devices support Zero touch provisioning (ZTP), which allows you to automatically deploy device configurations over a network connection.
• Data usage tracking and alerts
  • Avoid overage fees by staying up to date on how much data your device(s) are using. 
• GPS tracking
  • Verify where your device has traveled in the past or view it in real time.
• Firmware update
  • Ensure proper maintenance for your device(s) by upgrading firmware as needed. This can sometimes be done for a group of devices also.
• Device diagnostics for troubleshooting
  • Use tools like ping and traceroute to verify how traffic is flowing on your network. Additionally, you may reboot your device as needed or in some cases, you may set a reboot schedule. 

Less Common Features

• Remote access to the web UI
  • Use the management service to log into your device remotely, just like it works locally, or similarly.
• Remote Access to devices on the LAN of the router
  • Use Out of Band Management (OOBM) or similar to connect to devices like cameras, PLCs, and other local network devices.
• VPN Connectivity and simple configuration
  • Link devices with the use of VPN, which can easily be configured through the cloud manager.
• API support
  • The API is an interface for developers to integrate their systems and/or scripts with the data available in the cloud manager. This may include online/offline status of routers and network interfaces, signal strength and quality of cellular modems, router logs, and more.
• Fast Renewal Activation
  • Renewing service can be a real pain, but not when it comes to processing licenses for Peplink at 5Gstore.com. We have an automated system that allows you to enter your Peplink serial number in our website search field and it will report back compatible licenses. Once your license is purchased, it takes mere minutes to be processed.

Some warranties include these cloud services and in those cases, the cloud service is valid for as long as the warranty is. Here’s what each manufacturer offers:

Cradlepoint NetCloud 

• Warranty, support and cloud management services are bundled under the NetCloud subscription, which is available for 1, 3 or 5 years.
  • Features include:
    • Bulk configuration and firmware updates
    • Troubleshooting and diagnostic tools
    • Custom alerts and reports
    • Location services and coverage mapping
    • Cellular plan monitoring and forecasting
    • API option

Digi Remote Manager

• Cloud service is available through a license separate from the device warranty. Premier service plans are available for 1, 3, or 5 years.
  • Features include:
    • Configuration manager
    • Location mapping
    • Bulk firmware upgrades
    • Out of Band Management
    • Alarms and On-Demand Reports
    • Web Service APIs

Inseego Connect

• Basic management is included for the life of the device, but has limited features compared to their Standard and Advanced plans. It is mainly for device inventory and status monitoring. Standard is best for focusing on monitoring device health and remotely configuring devices. Advanced includes all the standard features plus additional analytics and insights into how devices are being utilized. These are both available for an additional fee for 1 or 3 years. Note that when purchasing the Advanced plan, this includes warranty and support, also for 1 or 3 years.
  • Features include:
    • Bulk Configuration of groups of devices
    • Location mapping
    • Access to key health metrics
    • Data usage tracking
    • Set alerts and perform diagnostics
    • Firmware updates

Peplink InControl 2

•  Cloud management is included with a valid warranty, of which it is 1 year standard. Optional warranty extensions are available at 1, 2 or 4 years. For non-PrimeCare Velocity and Volume-Based series devices you also have the option for 1 or 2 years of cloud management only.
  • Features include:
    • Bulk configuration
    • Remote access to web UI and devices on the LAN
    • GPS fleet management
    • Troubleshooting tools
    • API option

Sierra Wireless/ Semtech AirLink Management Service

• Warranties include support and cloud management for 1 year. Upgrades are available for 1 year on AirLink devices.
  • Features include:
    • Mass configuration
    • Location mapping
    • Device alerts and reports
    • Firmware upgrades
    • Data usage tracking
    • Diagnostic tools
    • Web services API

How Much Data Will Cloud Manager Services Use?

You may also be wondering how much data usage the Cloud Service is going to require. This is especially important for users who have limited data plans for M2M or IoT applications. Let’s take a look at the minimum usage for each system. 

What Happens When I Don’t Renew My Cloud Management Service?

Most manufacturers will include some sort of cloud service with the purchase of the hardware. This may make you more inclined to use it, but what happens when the service expires? While in most cases, you can still log in and view past data, most or all remote management features are lost. This includes the ability to log into your device or devices behind it, firmware upgrades, and GPS as well as data usage tracking. 

How Do I Renew My Cloud Management Service?

• Cradlepoint: Alerts are sent to the admin at 90 days before expiration and again at 30 days before expiration, if no order has been placed. If you choose to renew after your devices have expired, there may be a 10% reinstatement fee applied. Simply contact sales@5gstore.com with your device serial number(s) and email address associated with your Cradlepoint NetCloud account and we’ll follow up with a quote. 
• Digi: When it comes time to renew your Digi devices, you may purchase subscriptions per device, right at 5Gstore.com. Note your device serial number(s) and the email on the Digi Remote Manager account is needed at checkout. 
• Inseego: At renewal time, go to 5Gstore.com and purchase the subscription of your choice. You will need to enter the device IMEI number(s) at checkout. 
• Peplink: Alerts are sent at least 30 days prior to expiration of your Care plan, and a 30 day grace period is provided after expiration, if needed. After the 31st day from the Care Plan expiration date, a diagnostic report is required to be submitted and verified by Peplink. You may either email sales@5gstore.com with your Diagnostic Report or submit it at checkout. Not sure what license you need? Just enter your device’s serial number in the 5Gstore.com search bar and it will populate compatible licenses. Our team can also assist you with selecting the appropriate license for your needs. 
• Sierra Wireless/ Semtech: Contact sales@5gstore.com with your device serial number(s) and email address associated with your AirLink Management Service account, along with your account UID, and we’ll follow up with a quote. 

How Much Will it Cost to Renew Cloud Management Service?

Want to get an idea of the yearly costs for the cloud service? Here is a breakdown of the costs by manufacturer: 

Is Cloud Management Service Right For You?

Whether you have one device to manage, or multiple devices, a cloud management solution could save you both time and money. In most cases this is best for administrators that need to manage several local and/or remote devices. However it can also be helpful for single device users as well. Features like data and client data usage tracking capabilities, as well as device diagnostic tools could prove beneficial.   

If after reading this you’re still unsure as to whether or not you want to use a cloud management service, reach out to our team for assistance. We’re available Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm CT at 833-547-8673 or sales@5gstore.com.