[Imported] Replacement Modem for 5901?

[sbeadle]

>>Message imported from previous forum - Category:Communications Products <<
User: mchartrand, originally posted: 2018-10-25 15:43:38 Id:223
This is a re-posting from the obsoleted (October 2018) "Schneider Electric Telemetry & SCADA" forum.

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**_scadapro:
Since the 5901 is no longer available, has anyone out there tried using the Sixnet VT-Modem-2 as a replacement? Any luck? Initialization string and configuration?
FYI - The SE suggested replacement from "Westermo" has a 6-8 week US delivery... Not exactly an option for a failed unit...
Thanks!_**

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natebergeron:
You still use dialup?

I wish I could help, but I didn't know people even use that old technology any more.

My suggestion (albeit a bit harsh) is to consider upgrading your infrastructure. Or at least stop using dial up on new installs. Technology like that is getting deprecated, as you can see, and trying to find an alternate solution is only temporary.

Not the answer you were looking for, but that's my 2 cents.

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**_scadapro:
Not everything in the world can be solved by ethernet and or the web. In the back woods of PA and WV, there is no cell service, terrain is too severe to economically use radio of any kind so dial up is the only viable option for a small sewer collection system that has been mandated by the state to collect data and monitor a system that they cannot afford. I don't make the rules but have to work with them._**

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natebergeron:
Fair enough. I assumed that there were some sort of extenuating circumstances that forced you to use dial up. However, my opinion doesn't change.

I understand that the costs are higher for alternative technology and you don't have a high budget to work with. All the more reason to look ahead 5-10 years. If all of a sudden your provider decides there is no gain in continuing to provide dial up, you'll be back tracking and upgrading all your equipment at once, which could be a punishing cost for your client/employer.

Sit down with the different supervisors of the company and have a cost/risk/gain analysis of different technologies you can use. If you decide to continue using dialup, great. At least everyone is on the same page about the benefits/risks.

The way I see it, you can get satellite internet for $40/month or so compared to $20/month for dialup (rough estimates). This may be a solution worth looking into. I do know that satellite is being actively used for SCADA solutions.

Anyways I'm not trying to say that you're wrong in using dialup. I'm a strong advocate for upgrading systems, though. I've seen it happen more than once were a company continues using a certain technology (old PLCs, obsolete radios, whatever). The "if it ain't broke, why fix it" mentality works just fine for them, until something breaks. Then it cost a LOT more to fix it ASAP then to have a program which keeps things up to date.

As far as the modem you listed goes, Sixnet is a name I would trust. Good luck!