The Accelerated 6300-CX Cellular Extender provides a reliable, high-speed cellular connection that is compatible with existing wireline infrastructure. While its 4G LTE speeds are capable of operating as a primary WAN uplink, the 6300-CX can also be configured as a backup. This network redundancy solution delivers the ultimate flexibility to minimize expenses when it comes time for upgrading equipment to the latest wireless standards. 

Business continuity depends on the seamless integration of failover-connectivity solutions to prevent service interruptions. Now more than ever, contingency networks play a strategic role in sustaining business operations. Unplanned outages can cost companies significant time and money, frustrating employees and clients alike, which creates a negative perception that is difficult to overcome. 

Cellular data (4G LTE) bypasses wireline Internet service providers (ISPs) to facilitate the best redundancy possible.  Additionally, in some situations it may be a challenge to acquire access to wired circuits or an event may call for temporary online access. For these reasons, Accelerated Concepts designed its 6300-CX Cellular Extender to offer comprehensive, flexible cellular network integrations for small businesses, retail, government, remote sites, and branch offices. 

The AT&T U110 is an eighth-generation AT&T VPN Gateway that has been developed by AT&T since 2001. As a customer premises equipment (CPE) hardware device, it serves as a centrally managed firewall, router, VPN device, and VLAN switch that acts as a fully managed security device. Networks that leverage the U110 are protected from the Internet while still having secure access to an enterprise environment through a secure IPSec VPN tunnel that supports the highest level of encryption (256-bit AES).

Leveraging the 6300-CX’s flexible mounting options, the Accelerated Cellular Extender can be deployed in a location with strong cellular reception and deliver LTE connectivity to the VPN Gateway via Ethernet cabling. Power-over-Ethernet extends the CX’s reach to optimize signal strength without necessitating the relocation of the U110 or other client appliances.

Please refer to the AT&T VPN Gateway Datasheets for more information.

(Access to the URL linked above is private. Reach out to your AT&T rep for documentation if the link doesn’t work.)

This section covers interoperability information of the hardware tested for this solution. It includes the firmware versions of both devices as well as the date of testing.

IMPORTANT: U110s distributed for use in the United States are outfitted with an embedded LTE modem. This cellular connection may be leveraged for primary or backup Internet access, though the U110 can only be configured to recognize 2 WAN connections simultaneously. Interoperability with the 6300-CX implies that the VPN Gateway has been staged for single-WAN connectivity (either wireline or embedded cellular). Please refer to the U110 Install Guide for setup guidance.

The delivery of wireless services varies depending on the carrier and may lead to differences in the area of coverage, type of service (3G, 4G, LTE, etc.), availability of bandwidth, and IP address designation (Private or Public) among other factors. The interoperability test designed for this solution guide included LTE service, maximum coverage availability, and a public IP address assigned to each device.  

Using the 6300-CX as a secondary connection assumes that a primary WAN is available, either via an Ethernet cable plugged into the WAN 1 port on the AT&T VPN Gateway or its embedded cellular connection. Connect the 6300-CX’s Ethernet cable to port WAN 2 and proceed to the configuration described herein.