Networks on the Move

As the digital transformation in IT continues to create the need for an Elastic Edge SM, traditional tethers to the central office have all but vanished. Physical boundaries continue to decrease in importance, and organisations of all types require constant and dependable in-vehicle connectivity to keep up with changing business imperatives. Dependable mobile connectivity keeps vehicles on the road longer, helps enterprises better manage their fleets, and allows businesses and organiations to better serve their customers.

In this blog, we will explore applications used for fleet networks, how in-vehicle connectivity is being implemented, challenges and best practices, and application-specific considerations. For mobile enterprises that can’t afford downtime, LTE networking solutions are a reliable, secure, and cost-effective means to ensure always-on connectivity

In-Vehicle Connectivity: How It’s Used

Real-Time Updates & Remote Management
Organisations deploy network connectivity in fleet vehicles to handle data entry and process credit card payments immediately. Internet of Things (IoT) systems make it possible to automatically update and track inventory. GPS tracking now gives businesses the ability to do more than identify the locations of their fleet vehicles; businesses can monitor stops, watch for unnecessary trips and mileage, and recognise safe drivers — all from a remote location using cloud-based software.

Top 10 Reasons Fleet Managers Use GPS Telematics:

Driver behavior
Location information
Accurate odometer & engine hours
Asset utilisation
Fuel management (fuel level, fuel usage, HPG)
Fuel codes & analytics (service intervals/PM, DTC
codes)
Route management
Customer service (ETAs, delivery, dispatch)
Crew productivity
Insurance (claims analysis, lower risk)

Video Streaming & Digital Signage
With constant mobile connectivity, vehicles can deploy digital signage that can be configured and updated from a remote location. For enterprises and agencies with security concerns, video-streaming capability offers the advantage of real-time surveillance, making it possible to monitor security from a remote location and alert authorities immediately when problems arise.

Secure, Efficient Remote Database Access
First responders and emergency services use mission-critical mobile connectivity to monitor, analyse, and diagnose patients on the road. Paramedics can access vital information and update records immediately, while law enforcement officers use secure connectivity to check drivers’ licenses and vehicle registrations, and file digital incident reports in real time.These features and more help enterprises keep their people on the road longer and at headquarters less often.

WiFi for Passengers
Today’s transit commuters and leisure travelers want Internet access almost as much as they want a seat and an on-time arrival. Offering guest WiFi is simply part and parcel of creating a good rider experience. Rolling enterprises must be able to offer commuters heightened productivity while blocking undesirable content and managing bandwidth usage.

Challenges & Best Practices
Decision makers should move strategically when deploying mobile connectivity solutions, following industry best practices and viewing the fleet network not as a separate technical endeavor, but rather as an extension of the organisation’s existing systems. The network should be deployed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure.

Remote Monitoring, Maintenance & Updates
Challenge: For optimal operation, wireless routers require regular software and firmware updates, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Many organisations, however, are logistically unable to dock their fleet several times a week in a centralised location to install updates, fix issues, or transmit
data.

Solution: A software-defined, cloud-based remote management service can enable software/firmware updates, configurations, security patches, and maintenance of wireless devices from a remote location while ensuring that sensitive data stays safe. Also, because a mobile router on a cellular network utilises dynamic, private IP addresses, the management service should not require a static IP to connect to the router.

Furthermore, a routing solution should offer the ability to quickly offload large files — such as video surveillance — via non-cellular WAN to help mitigate cellular data usage and get vehicles back on the road faster.

Wiring & Electrical Issues
Challenge: Wireless routers use the vehicle’s battery as a power source, but the device can drain battery voltage in cars and buses. This can cause brownout or blackout when the vehicle starts, eventually ruining the router.

Solution: An ideal routing solution should be engineered specifically for in-vehicle use, with a DC input voltage range of 9-36V. Spike protection and ignition sensing also help ensure the router will withstand the volatile electrical environment of a vehicle. If these features are not in place, then a power conditioner or voltage regulator is critical.

Placement
Challenge: Reliable connectivity depends on correct placement of the wireless router and antenna, and placement needs differ based on the vehicle design, size, and connectivity expectations. Vehicles transporting many users could require multiple routers to serve high-volume needs, but usually space is limited.

Solution: It is vital for routers to be installed with an understanding of the physical and virtual barriers that may hinder or even sever connectivity. Each router should be correctly placed and installed for maximum connectivity, and the number of devices needed to best serve passengers must be calculated based on anticipated usage. It is also recommended to physically secure all network devices and equipment; many organisations keep networking devices behind a locked panel or in a cabinet.

Extreme Temperatures
Challenge: Weather conditions and temperature fluctuations can adversely impact sensitive router hardware. When vehicles operate in extreme heat or cold, the wireless router can be irreparably damaged. Even normal weather conditions such as sunshine streaming through glass windows on a summer day can heat a vehicle to the point of ruining the device.

Solution: Routers should be able to withstand extreme temperatures, both when the vehicle is in operation and when it is being stored. Devices should be designed to endure temperatures between -30 through 70 degrees Celsius

Terrain
Challenge: From trains speeding down the track to school buses navigating bumpy rural roads, vehicles often experience high levels of vibration. Routers must be able to withstand rough terrain without coming loose from the vehicle or breaking.

Solution: Installation brackets should be designed to handle the roughest of terrains without coming unscrewed or breaking. Devices and installation solutions should be tested according to MIL STD 810G and SAE J1455 standards to ensure that routers are protected against bumpy roads.

Choosing a Carrier
Challenge: With multiple carrier options available and a patchwork of service areas along any given route, choosing a cellular provider can be complex.

Solution: Unique reception needs should be studied and evaluated prior to choosing a carrier to ensure the proper plan and carrier for each situation. The evaluation should include an analysis of service and route maps and a test drive. A site survey can be used to gather reception data for specific routes and help decision makers choose the best carrier for reliable coverage.

Addressing Multi-Carrier Needs
Challenge: A site survey may reveal a need for dual-carrier connectivity in areas and on routes where a single carrier can’t provide the coverage needed for reliable connectivity.

Solution: It is important to choose a dual-modem solution that can quickly and seamlessly switch from one carrier to the other without intervention from the vehicle operator or a network administrator back at headquarters.

Application-Specific Considerations

Education & Mass Transit
When vehicle operators offer WiFi for passengers, the need for content filtering and policies that govern such filtering invariably arises. Education agencies are required to block certain types of sites, while transit authorities may wish to prevent downloads, streaming, and inappropriate content. Cloud security software and remote cloud management enable IT managers to customise content rules and traffic settings and be alerted to security vulnerabilities immediately.

Security
First responders, law enforcement, school buses, and businesses all benefit from the added security of deploying interior and exterior vehicle security cameras. Enterprises and agencies can leverage Internet connectivity to stream video feeds in real time and access recordings without docking the vehicle. Such immediacy can maximise the effectiveness and ROI of surveillance cameras.

Under some circumstances, enterprises may not wish to expend the amount of cellular data required to offload video in real time. In those cases, it is preferable to have the option to quickly offload video via a secondary, non-metered WAN source.

Network Reliability
Many organisations use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to provide their mobile employees access to important data and applications housed at the organisation’s data center. For fleet employees, from truck drivers to police officers, every minute counts; connecting to the VPN wastes precious time. The need to connect to the VPN can become a significant source of frustration and wasted time if employees must reconnect every time the LTE signal temporarily drops.

Fleet enterprises should consider deploying a software defined virtual overlay network that can function as a
mobile LAN, keeping vehicles authorised on the network even when the LTE signal is temporarily interrupted.

Parallel Networks
For organisations offering guest WiFi to passengers and requiring applications that carry critical data — like Point-of-Sale — it is a best practice to implement Parallel Networks, or physically air-gapped networks for maximum network security. Parallel Networks hinder hackers from gaining access to sensitive applications within in-vehicle networks by pivoting from other areas, such as the guest WiFi or digital signage.

Fleet Management
Enterprises can use software with integrated geofencing technology to track vehicle routes and driver behaviour on the road. This intelligence allows fleet managers to monitor route efficiency, look for redundancies or wasted time, and reconfigure routes for maximum effectiveness.

On-Site Services & E-Commerce
Fleets can leverage secure Internet connectivity to offer customers on-site payments and input data. To protect customers and keep sensitive information secure, software with encrypted communication protocols safeguards against eavesdropping and helps mitigate the potential for a security breach.

Hot Spot Connectivity
Police, first responders, mobile healthcare providers, and many other organisations may need connectivity to extend well beyond the vehicle’s perimeter. This requires a router and management solution capable of delivering WiFi securely, as well as an external antenna able to extend the WiFi range. Contact Us Today