Question 1

What is the difference between an IIoT gateway and an industrial router?

Accepted Answer

An industrial router only transmits IP packets between networks—it is transparent to the content. An IIoT gateway does much more: it understands and translates field protocols (Modbus RTU over RS-485, meter pulses) into cloud protocols (MQTT, HTTP REST, JSON), buffers data locally in the event of a network outage, executes embedded pre-processing logic, and manages threshold-based alarms. The Eziwan Gateway combines both functions in a single DIN rail enclosure: an industrial 4G LTE router and a full-featured IIoT gateway.

Question 2

Do we need to modify the PLCs to use the Eziwan gateway?

Accepted Answer

No. The Eziwan gateway connects to PLCs in Modbus client mode, just as a SCADA system or supervisor would. It reads the registers via polling without modifying the PLC program. Setup is as simple as connecting the RS-485 bus or Ethernet cable and configuring the register addresses in the Eziwan web interface. No additional function blocks are required, and no communication parameters need to be changed on the PLC side.

Question 3

How to Choose an Industrial IIoT Gateway?

Accepted Answer

The key criteria are: (1) supported field protocols (Modbus RTU/TCP, RS-232/RS-485, OPC-UA, pulse counters); (2) network connectivity (built-in 4G LTE or Ethernet only); (3) industrial-grade ruggedness (temperature range, DIN rail mounting, wide-range DC power supply); (4) security (built-in VPN, no exposed ports); (5) ease of deployment (Zero-Touch Provisioning). The Eziwan Gateway combines all these features into a single device, whereas other solutions require a separate router and a separate gateway.

Question 4

Does the Eziwan gateway support OPC-UA?

Accepted Answer

OPC-UA is accessible via the OpenVPN/IPSec VPN tunnel built into the gateway. OPC-UA servers deployed on your PLCs or on your local SCADA system (Siemens S7-1500 with built-in OPC-UA server, Kepware, Matrikon OPC) are accessible from the cloud platform and from your management network via the secure tunnel. The OPC-UA protocol passes natively through the OpenVPN IP tunnel without any additional configuration. Native OPC-UA access without a tunnel is on Eziwan’s product roadmap.

Question 5

Can the on-premises gateway be used without a permanent Internet connection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Eziwan gateway includes a local data buffer. In the event of an Internet or 4G outage, the measurements collected on the RS-485 bus (Modbus RTU) continue to be recorded locally. As soon as the connection is restored, the buffered data is automatically uploaded to the cloud without any loss. This store-and-forward mechanism is particularly useful for sites in areas with unstable coverage or intermittent 4G connections.

Question 6

An Industrial IIoT Gateway vs. Raspberry Pi: Why Not Use a Consumer-Grade SBC?

Accepted Answer

A Raspberry Pi may seem appealing because of its low cost (80–100€), but it comes with significant hidden costs: no industrial certification, no extended temperature range, no wide-range DC power supply, a lifespan limited to 2–3 years under harsh conditions, and full software maintenance at your own expense. For a deployment across 20 sites, managing a fleet of Raspberry Pis often ends up costing more than a certified industrial solution that includes support and a warranty.

Question 7

Can the IIoT gateway collect data from wireless sensors (LoRa, Zigbee)?

Accepted Answer

The Eziwan G1 gateway focuses on industrial wired protocols (RS-485, Ethernet). For LoRaWAN wireless sensors, the gateway can receive data via a local LoRa hub that exposes an MQTT interface. Zigbee sensors can be integrated via a home automation hub that exposes a REST API. Contact us for integrations specific to industrial wireless sensors.

Question 8

How much does an industrial IIoT gateway cost?

Accepted Answer

Industrial IIoT gateways range in price from €200 (basic modules without built-in connectivity) to €2,000+ (high-availability solutions with multiple network interfaces). The Eziwan G1 Gateway is an all-in-one solution (IIoT gateway + 4G router + VPN) that replaces 2 to 3 separate devices. The total cost of ownership (hardware + cloud subscription + M2M SIM) is generally less than €50 per month for comprehensive site monitoring.

Question 9

Can the IIoT gateway trigger actions on devices (writing to registers)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Eziwan gateway supports writing to Modbus registers (functions FC05, FC06, FC15, FC16) from the cloud platform or via the REST API. This enables remote control: starting/stopping a pump, changing a temperature setpoint, and acknowledging an alarm. Write permissions are controlled by user role. All write actions are logged in the audit log.

Industrial IIoT Gateway —the bridge between your premises and the cloud

What is an IIoT gateway?

IIoT Gateway vs. Industrial Router

Compatible Protocols and Equipment

How Does the Eziwan IIoT Gateway Work?

Install on a DIN rail

Connect the equipment

ZTP — Auto Cloud Connection

Data in the cloud

Everything You Need to Know About Industrial IIoT Gateways

Connect Your First Device
The Industrial Shift to the Cloud Today