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Streamline Remote Monitoring by Converting Contact Closures to SNMP

By Andrew Erickson

October 27, 2024

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If you manage remote sites, timely and accurate alarm information is necessary to maintain your uptime.

With NetGuardian RTUs, you can streamline this process and integrate traditional contact closures with your network management system.

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Eliminate Extra Wiring and Labor with NetGuardian RTU

Traditionally, converting contact closures into SNMP traps involves complex wiring from your equipment to a terminal block, then connecting that terminal block to an SNMP RTU.

This process requires routing cables across equipment rooms, manually tying them down, and troubleshooting issues along the way. Each connection becomes another potential point of failure, often leading to extended downtime or costly truck rolls (which no one wants).

But what if you could make this process easier?

With NetGuardian RTUs - like the NetGuardian 420 and NetGuardian 216 - you can simplify this complexity. While wiring is still required to convert contact closures to SNMP traps (as with all RTUs), NetGuardian devices offer several alarm termination options that make the wiring work as straightforward as possible.

Options such as 66 blocks, wire-wrap panels, and pluggable back panels allow for quick and organized connections, reducing installation time and potential errors.

NetGuardian RTUs are purpose-built for easy installation and efficient network alarm management. With their robust design and flexible alarm termination options, you can streamline the wiring process that traditionally comes with alarm management.

You'll have no excessive hours running cables, organizing terminal blocks, or deciphering complex wiring diagrams. Instead, you can focus on other important work.

NetGuardian: A Good Solution for Converting Contact Closures to SNMP

With a NetGuardian RTU (such as the NetGuardian 216 G6), converting your contact closure inputs into SNMP traps is straightforward. This device offers:

  • 16 discrete alarms for binary on/off conditions (like "door open/closed" or "battery low").
  • Support for SNMPv1, v2c, and v3 to ensure secure, real-time monitoring with your existing SNMP manager.
  • Expandable alarm inputs for larger sites, with models like the NetGuardian 832A and NetGuardian 864A offering even greater capacity.
  • A built-in web interface for easy configuration and monitoring over LAN or WAN.

By connecting your contact closures to the NetGuardian's discrete alarm inputs (and connecting the NetGuardian to your LAN), you instantly convert those alarms into SNMP traps that can be sent directly to your SNMP manager or DPS T/Mon system.

NetGuardian RTUs are designed for flexibility and operational efficiency. Whether you're collecting environmental alarms, ping alarms, or equipment status, these RTUs simplify and speed up the process. This versatility allows you to manage your remote sites more effectively and ensures that no critical alarm goes unnoticed.

NetGuardians Are Expandable for Future Growth

As your network expands, so do your alarm requirements. As another example, the NetGuardians can support up to 256 discrete alarms when paired with DX expansion units, making them suitable for even your biggest sites.

This future-proofing means you don't have to replace or overhaul your monitoring system as your network grows. You can simply expand your existing system's capacity when you need it.

Why Choose a NetGuardian for this Task?

When you choose a NetGuardian RTU, you gain:

  • Streamlined Installation: Mount the NetGuardian in your rack and use its integrated 50-pin Amphenol connector to quickly terminate your alarm wiring. Designed for quick and efficient setup, this means less downtime and more focus on your network's performance. Future upgrades are also smoother, as pinouts are maintained (as much as possible) between generations.
  • Flexible Protocol Support: The NetGuardian supports multiple protocols, including SNMP, MODBUS, and DCP. You can easily integrate it into your existing network management system without compatibility issues. This flexibility allows you to connect a variety of equipment, even from different manufacturers.
  • Reliable Alarm Reporting: With dual power feeds and industrial temperature ratings, your NetGuardian continues to function even in the most challenging environments (which is crucial for remote sites facing extreme weather or power fluctuations).
  • Secure and Configurable Web Interface: The web interface is TLS v1.2 compliant on G6 NetGuardians, providing secure access to monitor and configure alarms.

The NetGuardian RTU is also built with redundancy in mind, ensuring the reliability you need for mission-critical environments. Whether it's a power outage, network issue, or unexpected equipment failure, the NetGuardian's design helps you detect and respond to network threats.

Alarm Notification Options (SNMP and Beyond)

Receiving early notifications is essential for minimizing downtime. The NetGuardian RTU provides multiple ways to alert you when a critical alarm is triggered. You can receive SNMP traps, email notifications, or even audible alarms.

Real-time notifications are sent the moment an alarm condition is detected, giving you crucial time to assess the situation before it escalates. By immediately notifying the right people, you reduce the risk of prolonged outages, equipment damage, and safety hazards.

Save Time and Money

Since you can monitor a wide variety of equipment with a single device, the NetGuardian eliminates the need for multiple monitoring systems. Whether you're managing HVAC systems, backup generators, rectifiers, or environmental sensors, the NetGuardian ensures you get the information you need without additional hardware investments.

The NetGuardian RTU is easy to use, with intuitive configuration options and clear, actionable alerts. By simplifying alarm management, you avoid costly mistakes and reduce unnecessary site visits (which everyone appreciates).

Practical Applications for Your Business

Whether you're monitoring a small unmanned telecom site, a regional power substation, or a large data center, a NetGuardian RTU will fit your needs. The NetGuardian 216 is ideal for small sites with up to 16 discrete alarms, while the NetGuardian 832A or 864A can handle larger sites with 64 or more alarms.

To strike the right balance between standardization and customization for each site's specific needs, it's best to standardize on 1-3 models of NetGuardian RTUs. Choosing a limited selection, like the NetGuardian 216, NetGuardian 832A, and NetGuardian 864A, simplifies your deployment process and makes training your technical staff easier.

Standardizing on a few models enables consistent installation procedures and maintenance protocols across sites, reducing complexity and potential errors.

See the NetGuardian in Action

Are you ready to see how a NetGuardian RTU can simplify your contact closure to SNMP conversion process? Request a free web demo today or contact DPS Telecom for a customized quote.

Whether you're managing small-scale operations or a large network of remote sites, the NetGuardian RTU is the solution that will save you time, reduce costs, and improve network visibility. With DPS, you're not just purchasing another miscellaneous telecom device. You're investing in the reliability and efficiency of your network.

Call 1-800-622-3314 or email sales@dpstele.com to get started now.

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Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 17 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...