4G enabled out-of-band access to Dublin network

[Firefishy]

We currently do not yet have a redundant uplink in Dublin (or Amsterdam), we should install a basic out-of-band access device in the event of a switch or uplink outage.

• Raspberry PI 4 with suitable case/heatsink + PSU.
• PPP based 4G dongle or 4G HAT with suitable antenna. e.g.: Huawei E3372h-320
• Data Enabled IOT SIM card or similar. Ideally an international version of something like aaisp's data sim, which has a fixed IP.
• USB Serial Cable for OOB connection to switch
• USB Serial Cable for OOB connection to PDU(s) (If PDUs are linked only 1 serial required)

[Firefishy]

Found this provider as a potential IoT sim provider: https://www.thingsmobile.com/business/plans/public-fixed-ip-option

• Static Public IP
• Management Portal
• Reasonable Billing

[pnorman]

Can we use the wifi?

[Firefishy]

Can we use the wifi?

We could I guess, but we'd need to run wireguard and we'd be reliant on Equinix not changing the WiFi password. They may also use a captive portal.

[Firefishy]

Alternative hardware options:

• "Industrial" USB 4G modem
• "Industrial" device with serial and ethernet, openwrt based (No Raspberry Pi required)
• Linux targeted USB 4G modem
• 4G HAT for Raspberry PI (option 1)
• 4G HAT for Raspberry PI (option 2)

[Firefishy]

Alternative to a Raspberry PI and 4G modem could be a RUTX09 with a small 4 port USB hub and 4x USB to serial.

[Firefishy]

4x serial port USB hub

[Firefishy]

On further investigation the 1nce SIM card seems the best. They do not support inbound public IPs, but they do support running an OpenVPN to connection to support connecting to the mobile devices.

I have ordered the 1nce SIM cards, but am waiting for treasurer to complete the business verification steps.

[Firefishy]

I have ordered 1x https://teltonika-networks.com/product/trm240/ 4G usb modem to test.

[HolgerJeromin]

Working provider Link: https://1nce.com

[Firefishy]

Fixed the https://1nce.com/ link ;-)

[Firefishy]

Device works. Will be installed on next visit to Dublin. OS still need config.

[Firefishy]

Summary:
1x Raspberry PI 4 with official POE (built in fan) and case.
1x Raspberry PI official USB-C PSU
1x https://teltonika-networks.com/product/trm240/
1x https://www.lindy.co.uk/usb-c4/usb-converters-c213/usb-to-4-port-serial-converter-p511 (4 ports)
2x Serial to APC PDU
2x Serial to RJ45 (Juniper)

Running Raspbian.
1nce.com SIM IOT data plan.