GPRS offers a means of highly effective wide area data networking where communications are initiated from the remote node for example, when collecting email using a notebook PC or handheld device.

Unfortunately, as supplied by the service providers, GPRS networks are not as effective when a communications session needs to be initiated from the centre, for example, in remote, telemetry applications such as ITS.  IDT's GPRS router has been specifically designed for these circumstances by enabling you to extend your centre's local area network as a secure virtual private network across the GPRS network. Proven reliability on the roadside (and designed to operate at temperatures as low as -15°C) have helped us achieve an installed base in excess of 500 GPRS routers in the UK alone.

IDT's GPRS Router establishes a secure IP tunnel (using the IPsec protocol) through the public GPRS network which is terminated at a VPN router at the instation.

Network design and monitoring

A typical network design using our GPRS Router is shown below.  This drawing shows a UTMC instation communicating with car park counters and variable message signs and is typical of the UTMC networks we have implemented throughout the UK.  A virtual private network is established between the instation and the on-street equipment which is extremely secure.

(click image to view a larger version)

The VPN router at the instation is configured to route data via the GPRS service provider to the roadside equipment (which can be any IP-capable equipment). To provide adequate levels of security, GPRS networks are complex to set up but, once implemented, have low maintenance requirements.  We normally design and implement all networks which use our GPRS Routers.