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Remote Site Monitoring with G6 NetGuardians: Simplify and Secure Your Network

By Andrew Erickson

January 23, 2025

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Any remote telecom or utility site demands effective monitoring. When you're juggling aging equipment, evolving network needs, and new security challenges, the complexity can feel overwhelming.

You want to reduce truck rolls, unify your monitoring platform onto one screen, and stay ahead of changing protocols (SNMPv3, MODBUS, etc.). That's exactly where G6 NetGuardian RTUs (remote telemetry units) step in.

I'll walk you through how G6 NetGuardians can simplify your operations, improve security, and prepare your remote sites for whatever the future holds. Let's get started!

Advantages of G6 platform

Disjointed Monitoring Creates Inefficiency

Imagine you're managing a scattered network of remote sites. Some of your equipment is so old it still relies on 20-year-old transport gear just to track alarms. Other sites use one-time SNMPv1 traps that get lost whenever there's a network hiccup. You're also dealing with temperature-sensitive hardware, sporadic email alerts, and ancient console servers on the brink of failure.

One DPS client - an experienced value-added reseller (VAR) - faced this exact scenario. Different departments within the organization each created their own siloed solutions: door-control systems in one corner, serial-based monitoring in another, and a patchwork of older third-party equipment in yet another.

The result was a tangled mess of protocols and devices that drove up costs, fueled confusion, and increased the risk of missed alarms. This is obviously not how you want your system to run.

Patchwork Solutions Fail in Modern Networks

It's tempting to bolt on fixes - a thermostat here, a serial server there, or patching legacy alarms. However, these quick-fix approaches often create more complexity than they solve. Here's why:

  1. Integrated Systems Are Limited
    Older equipment might include built-in monitoring, but it's usually an afterthought designed to "check a box." These systems often don't adapt well to new standards like SNMPv3 or MODBUS.
  2. Outdated Equipment Isn't Secure
    If a device was built years ago, it likely lacks modern security protocols like HTTPS and TLS. That leaves you vulnerable to cyberattacks.
  3. Patchwork Configurations Add Complexity
    Different protocols and vendors add difficulty to the troubleshooting process. Without unified management, you're forced to navigate multiple user interfaces, data formats, and firmware updates.

Find "One Platform to Rule Them All"

Now think about a simpler, more effective scenario. You have a single, centralized platform to handle everything from discrete alarms and analog sensors to environmental monitoring and serial console access:

  • Centralized Alarm Collection
    Real-time alerts from every site, no matter which protocol or input (SNMP, MODBUS, discrete, analog).
  • Flexibility & Scalability
    Maybe "Site A" only needs 20 alarms while "Site B" needs 75. With modular RTUs (including a catalog with many size options), you can tailor capacity to each location.
  • Future-Conscious Capabilities
    Whether it's new cybersecurity protocols, evolving monitoring standards, or advanced battery health tracking, your system is able to adapt.
  • Reduced Truck Rolls
    Remote troubleshooting is a breeze. You can fix issues from a central console without physically visiting the site.

Sound too good to be true? That's exactly what G6 NetGuardians deliver.

G6 NetGuardians Are Built for Evolving Networks

One of the biggest advantages of the G6 platform is its ability to keep pace with changing network demands. If you're transitioning from SNMPv1 to SNMPv3 or adding new layers of visibility - like MODBUS monitoring - you won't get left behind.

The G6 NetGuardians offer several advantages, some of which are:

  • Backward Compatibility
    G6 NetGuardians have the same physical pinouts and layouts as G5 units, ensuring straightforward upgrades without rewiring.
  • New Functions for New Monitoring Standards
    Need MODBUS integration to talk to modern HVAC or generator systems? G6 supports it. Prefer secure HTTPS for web interfaces and SNMPv3 for alarm reporting? It's all there for you.
  • Expandable I/O
    Start with standard capacity. Then, as your site expands, add more inputs without overhauling your entire setup.

These design choices ensure that your monitoring solution remains relevant as technology continues to evolve.

Make Environmental Monitoring Simpler

Environmental monitoring is no longer optional. Whether it's HVAC failures, high humidity, or sudden temperature spikes, small issues can quickly escalate into major outages or equipment damage.

G6 NetGuardians come with advanced environmental capabilities to help you protect your gear and maintain uptime:

  1. Easy Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
    Using D-Wire sensors with a G6 NetGuardian, you'll be able to get precise readings, set thresholds, and trigger alerts before problems arise. You can daisy-chain multiple sensors for multi-zone coverage at a single site.
  2. Battery Health Tracking
    You can monitor individual battery cells for voltage, impedance, and temperature. Catching battery decline early can save you from catastrophic failures (and expensive replacements).
  3. HVAC Integration
    With built-in MODBUS support, G6 RTUs can communicate directly with modern HVAC systems. This makes sure you always know if the cooling load is shifting or a unit is failing.

Keeping a close eye on your environment helps you react faster - and often preemptively - so that minor issues don't turn into major disasters.

G6 NetGuardians Can Solve Your Biggest Headaches

1. Unified Monitoring Across the Network

G6 NetGuardians gather all alarms - analog, discrete, serial, and environmental - into a single platform. Whether you're using a third-party SNMP manager or DPS's T/Mon master, you'll be able to see everything in one place.

2. Designed for Your Future Needs

G6 units feature upgraded CPUs, HTTPS for secure web browsing, and TLS 1.2. You can also take advantage of new technologies like SFPs for fiber connections and advanced sensor arrays. Do you need to push logs to a remote server over a secure connection? That won't be a problem.

3. Reduce Costs with Smart Features

Tools like accumulation timers let you track generator runtimes for maintenance and compliance. When an issue does actually arise, you'll know before a costly failure occurs.

4. Simple Drop-In Upgrades

Already running older NetGuardians? Upgrading is painless. Because G6 devices share the same pinouts and physical footprints as their G5 predecessors, you won't have to rewire your cabinets.

5. Customizable for Unique Needs

Every network is different. Whether you want door sensors for added security or specialized firmware for non-standard protocols, DPS can tailor a G6 solution for you.

Customizable Features Tailored to Your Needs

In industries like telecom, utilities, and transportation, a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works. That's why DPS Telecom offers an array of customization options for G6 NetGuardians:

  • Door Access Control
    Integrate G6 devices with DPS Entry Control Units (ECUs) to manage remote site security. Grant temporary access codes to third-party vendors while automatically logging access events.
  • Specialized HVAC Controllers
    Need to manage lead-lag HVAC units for mission-critical sites? DPS can provide custom controllers that work with your exact setup, including support for hydrogen sensors and smoke alarms.
  • Custom Alarm Reporting
    Want alarms in a specific format or protocol? No problem. DPS can modify firmware to suit your requirements.

When you work with DPS, you're not just purchasing a product - you're gaining a partner that's committed to helping you achieve total site visibility.

G6 RTUs Reduce Operational Overhead

Beyond the technical perks, G6 NetGuardians are built to minimize the human and financial resources required to manage remote sites:

  • Fewer Truck Rolls
    Serial ports, SNMP mediation, and remote control let you troubleshoot from your desk. Rolling a truck becomes a last resort. By decreasing your amount of truck rolls, you save both time and money.
  • Simplified Configuration
    The intuitive web interface makes it easy to set up alarm points, temperature thresholds, and notifications. This is a simple process even if you're not a hardcore IT expert.
  • Preventative Maintenance Alerts
    Use accumulation timers and battery-impedance tracking to plan maintenance before you're stuck with an emergency.
  • One-Stop Management
    No more juggling multiple monitoring tools. G6 equipment consolidates alarms for HVAC, security, environmental, and equipment status on a single platform.

DPS Expertise: Your Partner in Monitoring

What truly sets DPS Telecom apart is the team behind the technology. DPS has decades of experience delivering customized monitoring and control solutions to diverse clients - telecom, utilities, rail, government agencies, and more.

  • Network Analysis
    DPS experts will assess your network and propose the best approach. This often uncovers hidden issues you didn't even know you had.
  • Hardware & Firmware Customization
    If your use case is out-of-the-box, DPS can develop or tweak solutions to meet your exact needs.
  • Ongoing Support
    From troubleshooting to routine check-ins, DPS has you covered every step of the way.

The Next Steps for Simplified Monitoring

Our value-added reseller found that consolidating monitoring and upgrading to G6 NetGuardians solved a wide range of issues (missed alarms, security vulnerabilities, environmental risks...). These G6 devices also brought multiple departments under a single, cohesive monitoring strategy.

If you're facing a similar challenge, stop throwing band-aids at the problem. It's time to deploy a solution that:

  • Reduces operational complexity.
  • Eliminates expensive truck rolls.
  • Adapts easily to new protocols and tech.
  • Protects your sites with modern cybersecurity.

Transform Your Monitoring Strategy

Ready to simplify your remote monitoring and prepare your system from the future?

Call DPS Telecom today at 559-454-1600 to chat with an expert. We'll help you design a solution that meets your needs now - and in the future.

You can also send a message to sales@dpstele.com and let us know what you're looking for. We'll work with you to build a customized plan that streamlines your operations and protects your network.

The sooner you act, the sooner you'll reduce costs, improve reliability, and gain peace of mind. Let's work together and build a monitoring solution that works as hard as you do!

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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 18 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...