Any utility with remote telecom infrastructure knows that monitoring isn't optional.

You can't afford to "hope for the best" when a network switch locks up or a critical alarm input goes dark. Still, the reality for many telecom teams is that their current tools aren't reliable enough, and they're forced into frustrating workarounds just to keep things going.

That's exactly what happened to one DPS client - a major utility managing hundreds of microwave towers and substations across a sprawling region. From RTUs that failed right out of the box, to the inability to troubleshoot devices without a long site visit, they had hit a breaking point.

Here, I'll walk you through:

• The specific technical problems this client faced
• Why previous solutions just didn't cut it
• The dream solution they described to us
• How DPS built exactly what they needed on our secure new G6 platform

Let's begin.

Failing RTUs, No Spares, & No Easy Way to Troubleshoot

This client had deployed over 50 RTUs at their microwave tower sites. These rack-mounted RTUs collected critical alarms and were hardwired into their tower infrastructure using standardized 25-pin Amphenol connectors.

Over time, the team started noticing alarming patterns:

• Alarm points would "stick" in alarm state, even with no input - indicating hardware issues.
• Network ports on some RTUs died completely, rendering units unreachable.
• One brand-new unit wouldn't even load its GUI - fresh out of the box.

Tech support got involved. Screenshots were sent, console ports were connected, and ultimately, devices were sent in for RMA.

Unfortunately, they had no spares left. That meant every failed RTU put them in crisis mode.

Even basic troubleshooting was a chore since they didn't have an AC adapter to power the RTUs in the office. Instead, they had to drive to a live site, unplug a working unit, and test the questionable one there.

"I spent more on gas than I would've on one of those adapters," the client admitted.

This was more than just annoying. It was expensive, risky, and unsustainable.

Previous Attempts at a Solution Caused Extra Risks

The client had also started exploring remote power control, especially for substations where routers, firewalls, fiber devices, and cellular modems sometimes needed a manual reboot.

They began evaluating commercial PDUs, but the more they explored, the more the shortcomings piled up:

Single NIC = Single Point of Failure

If the fiber link went down, there was no way to reach the PDU through the backup cellular path. The site was effectively offline.

AC Power Only

Many sites were DC-powered for battery backup, especially those under NERC SIP compliance. The commercial PDUs they explored couldn't run on 125VDC, which meant adding power conversion gear or accepting outage risk.

No Standard Power Connectors

Their field devices - including hardened switches, firewalls, and radios - often didn't have AC-style power cords. Rewiring every one of those just to use a PDU wasn't appealing.

After researching these off-the-shelf options, it was clear they were too limited, too rigid, and too risky for real-world utility environments.

Solution: Use One Device, Built for Utility Telecom

During conversation with DPS, the client laid out a vision for what they really needed: something simple, something that worked.

The client described their ideal device as offering:

Dual Ethernet Ports

If the primary path (fiber) goes down, they can still access the device via the backup path (cellular VPN). They needed true path redundancy.

125VDC Input

Their substations are battery-backed with 125VDC power. The PDU had to run natively on 125VDC - without any converters, no exceptions.

6+ Controllable AC Outlets

The client was interested in at least 6 AC outlets for rebooting mission-critical gear. This includes firewalls, switches, fiber multiplexers, radios, and cellular failovers.

Rack-Mountable Form Factor

Since most of their substations had standard telecom racks, rack-mount design was essential.

Modern Security

For outward-facing sites and their future protection, TLS 1.2 and SSH were required. That meant moving to the G6 platform.

The client didn't want a science project. They wanted something that just worked. And it had to be cost-effective enough to scale across 100+ sites.

Building It on G6 - The Right Way

At DPS, we don't just ship boxes. We listen, adapt, and build exactly what you need.

That's why we developed a custom PDU on the G6 platform, tailored to this client's utility telecom environment.

The prototype for our client includes:

• Dual Ethernet NICs for redundant access via primary and backup network paths
• 125VDC power input, allowing direct connection to the substation battery bus
• 6 individually controllable AC outlets so they can reboot any device - without leaving the office
• TLS 1.2 and SSH access, fully NERC SIP-compliant
• 1RU rack-mount metal enclosure, easy to deploy in existing racks
• Optional DC outputs, configurable for 12V or 24V devices

And we're not stopping there.

Since this would be built on the G6 hardware platform, future capabilities - like REST API support, SNMPv3 enhancements, and onboard automation - are ready when needed.

G6 Platform Offers Security, Longevity, and Simplicity

If you haven't heard of our G6 RTU/PDU platform yet, here's a quick rundown:

• TLS 1.2 (HTTPS) for secure web GUI access
• SSH for secure CLI (replacing insecure Telnet)
• Stronger processors capable of running modern encryption
• Unified firmware across multiple product lines

We created G6 because NERC CIP rules were tightening - and our clients demanded hardened security. However, security wasn't the only win.

With G6, we now have a unified "model number" structure, where G6 means consistent firmware, UI, and protocols - across HVAC controllers, RTUs, PDUs, and more.

Scaling Up: From Concept to Catalog Product

If this solution sounds like something you could use, you're not alone.

At DPS, our threshold to make your dream device into a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) reality is simple: a commitment of 11+ units. That's all it takes to:

• Justify engineering a custom build
• Prototype a first-article unit
• Test and validate in your environment
• Ship you a product that fits your specs and actually works

"If we can get 11 of these, and they work, I'd roll them out across 100+ substations," the client told us.

That's exactly what we love to hear.

Once we validate the build, the device becomes a standard part of the DPS catalog. From there, you can order 1, 10, or 100 units - whatever you need.

Solving the Simple Pain Point

Remember that power issue? The one that forced the client to drive to towers just to plug in and test RTUs?

We immediately quoted them a wall adapter, pre-wired with the right barrel connector.

The solution was simple, yet able to solve the problem. It also saves gas, time, and headaches.

We include these in our own training lab for exactly this reason.

From Vision to Reality: How DPS Delivers

This client's experience is a textbook case of what sets DPS apart:

• We don't sunset devices prematurely. The client's older (pre-existing) DPS RTUs are still in production because clients still use them - and we won't stop unless parts become unavailable.
• We prototype based on your needs. Whether it's dual NIC PDUs, secure RTUs, or power-control hybrids, if you need it - we'll build it.
• We make sure you get the support you need. No matter who bought the gear or when, we'll trace serials, follow up on shipments, and keep you informed.

Do You Have a Similar Challenge?

If you're a utility, telco, railway, or any organization managing remote infrastructure, odds are you're facing similar problems:

• Aging RTUs that need repair or replacement
• Security mandates requiring TLS and SSH
• Power reboot needs at unmanned sites
• Trouble tracking down warranty info or spare stock
• Many other strange and bizarre occurrences (you won't scare us... we've heard just about everything before)

You're not alone on your project - and you don't have to settle for hardware that doesn't quite fit.

Let's design something that works.

Call us at: 1-800-622-3314
Email: sales@dpstele.com

You'll speak to someone who's built these systems for decades. We'll walk you through your needs, your environment, and your existing gear. And if we don't already make what you need, we'll start building.

At DPS, "custom" doesn't have to mean expensive. It means you get what actually works, which is the only type of purchase you should ever want to justify anyway.