Cellular routers for DC charging stations

Secure and reliable communication for DC charging stations: Cellular routers from INSYS icom provide the stable interface between DC charging stations and backend or charging station management systems.

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Communication solutions for connected DC charging systems

Continuous WAN connectivity to higher-level systems is required for the smooth operation of DC charging stations. Controllers and payment terminals continuously transmit operating, status and billing data.

This external connection is provided by cellular routers for DC charging stations, which bundle all data communication from the charging station and route it securely and in a controlled manner to external systems.

INSYS icom routers stand out in this context for their high availability, IT security and practical integration into existing infrastructures. From individual fast-charging stations to large charging parks, they have already proven themselves in more than 8,000 installations.

Router applications in DC charging stations

  • Internet access and WAN connectivity for controllers, payment terminals and energy management systems – including the transmission of billing-relevant data.
  • High-availability connectivity via cellular networks, DSL or Ethernet to backend systems/charging station management.
  • Remote maintenance, condition monitoring and fault analysis for efficient service operations and rapid troubleshooting.
  • Load management between multiple charging stations for coordination (master/slave) and compliance with available power limits.
  • Connection to central charging station management (local or global) for monitoring, statistics, utilization analysis and maintenance planning.

Operational and security requirements for DC charging stations

Operators of DC charging systems have clear requirements for the communication technology used:

  • High availability and redundancy, to ensure backend systems can be reached at all times
  • IT security at critical-infrastructure level to protect against unauthorized access (e.g. in accordance with NIS2)
  • Scalability and centralized management for growing charging parks
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements for payment systems, data protection and IT security

Our routers for DC charging stations provide the technical foundation for implementing all these requirements safely and efficiently in day-to-day operation.

Solutions for connected DC charging stations from INSYS icom

Connected DC charging points require a reliable communications backbone.
Our routers and gateways provide stable, secure, open and easy-to-integrate connections for this purpose.

Internet communication: Router portfolio including edge computing, device management and cellular options

  • Flexible and redundant communication paths (cellular, fiber, Ethernet) as well as icom OS for operating encapsulated container applications – for consolidated connectivity of backend, billing and payment systems.
  • Worldwide SIM solutions for reliable, location-independent and scalable data transmission.
  • Centralized router management (iRM) for managing all routers for DC charging stations, including the applications running on them – with integration into existing charging station management systems and zero-touch provisioning.

Remote maintenance & VPN for secure operation

  • A wide range of VPN options for the high security requirements of DC charging stations.
  • Building secure networks with the icom Connectivity SuiteVPN-based on OpenVPN for centralized and protected maintenance access to all charging station components.
  • Supporting project assistance for integration, rollout and securing the entire communication infrastructure – including experience from critical-infrastructure-related applications.

Benefits of our routers for DC charging stations

Smooth communication & reduced downtime

Reliable router and gateway infrastructure ensures continuous operation of DC charging stations and reduces costly disruptions.

01

Centralized monitoring & maintenance

Router management via iRM enables monitoring, updates and fault analysis for individual sites or entire charging parks.

02

Scalability for growing charging parks

Operators can expand their charging infrastructure at any time without having to rebuild communication architectures.

03

Future-proof architecture

Open interfaces and container-based applications support new functions, software services and growing regulatory requirements.

04

Compliance with security standards

Solutions are based on critical-infrastructure-level standards and enable secure connectivity of backend systems, payment terminals and controllers.

05

Added value of the INSYS icom solution

For experts and beginners

Modern user interface, easy operation, guided quick-start assistant.

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Easy remote maintenance access

Efficient remote maintenance and maximum IT security. Granular access and rights management, including for external service providers.

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Third-party compatible

Compatibility of the VPN solution with router solutions and controllers already in use.

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Analysis & debugging tools

Tools for analyzing the network: ping/ICMP, tcpdump, traceroute, …

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Web proxy function

Access to web interfaces, e.g. of video cameras, without a VPN client from a smartphone, tablet or browser.

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High IT security / critical infrastructure

Hardened operating system. Market leader in critical infrastructure. Encryption compliant with BSI TR-02102-2. IEC 62443-4-1-certified development process.

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Interfaces

In addition to Ethernet, analog and digital I/Os as well as serial interfaces (e.g. Modbus).

Thanks to flexible MRcards, the modular MRX router provides a wide range of application interfaces with up to 17 Ethernet ports, serial interfaces, or digital and analog I/Os.

Broad router portfolio

Routers in industrial quality: from compact to high-performance – depending on the type of system; from LTE to DSL – depending on the required connection type.

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All products and services are also regularly tested by independent bodies. Find out more under IT security.

Industrial routers for DC charging stations & fast-charging stations – Frequently asked questions

Why is a router needed in (DC) charging stations?

The router ensures a secure internet connection between the DC charging station and the charging management system (backend/CPO system). Authorization, billing, monitoring, remote service and firmware updates are handled via this connection.

In addition, the router enables integration into higher-level systems such as energy management systems (EMS) and load management, while redundancy mechanisms ensure high availability.

What options are available for connecting charging stations to the internet?

Router variants are available with the following WAN technologies: LTE, 5G, DSL, fiber optics (SFP), Wi-Fi, LAN and serial. This allows even remote locations without a fixed internet connection to be connected reliably and with high availability, e.g. fast-charging stations, charging parks or truck charging hubs.

What fallback options do the routers provide?

For high availability, redundancy can be established by combining several technologies (e.g. cellular as a backup in the event of cable damage). The router detects a failure of the primary connection and automatically switches to the secondary connection. Dual SIM is suitable for provider redundancy.

Who installs the routers in the charging station?

Our offering is primarily aimed at manufacturers of DC charging stations / charging points. The routers are usually integrated into the charging stations during production. Operators/owners typically use routers for parking area monitoring / CCTV or retrofit applications. Please contact us for references.

How do multiple charging stations communicate with each other in a master-slave architecture?

Via local networks such as Ethernet or fiber optics, optionally also via serial connections or Wi-Fi bridges. The routers secure communication through encryption, VPNs and firewalls.

How do I handle identical IP address ranges in the charging stations (e.g. 192.168.1.0/24 in each station)?

Charging stations in charging parks are often supplied with identical private networks (e.g. 192.168.0.x). These networks conflict at the latest when centrally connected to cloud systems. INSYS solves this with integrated netmapping. Each charging station (EVSE) retains its factory-set internal addressing and receives a unique IP address for addressing in the charging management system or energy management system.

Is each router configured individually for each charging station?

The routers are usually installed with factory preconfiguration. Only the physical connections are required on site. Functions such as configuration templates are available for customized mass configuration and rollout.

I operate a charging park. Can I also use the routers for parking area monitoring?

Yes, of course. The routers can be used flexibly for a wide range of communication tasks, often also for connecting to the IT systems of a fuel station / service area.

Can the routers be used for advanced network architectures?

Yes, the routers are designed for professional applications and support advanced network technologies such as dynamic routing, IPv6, multi-VPN, OpenVPN, WireGuard and IPsec. This enables both individual sites and highly available, segmented, cross-site infrastructures to be implemented securely and scalably.

Is remote firmware updating possible for the routers?

Yes. Several standard functions are available to keep routers in the field up to date and secure.

Can multiple routers be managed centrally?

Yes. icom Router Management is suitable for this purpose as a central fleet management system that automates and optimizes many processes.

Get started now!

We will be happy to answer your specific questions and address your particular challenges.