How satellite and cellular failover actually works
What automatic failover means on a FIELDHOLD TWO, what it does not mean, and how to think about it on a real site.
Failover is the feature most buyers ask about and the one most often misunderstood. Here is the plain version.
One path is a single point of failure
A satellite terminal is excellent when it has a view of the sky. It is not immune to weather, obstruction or a service issue. A single path means a single thing that can end the day. That is acceptable for some sites and not for others.
Two paths, watched continuously
FIELDHOLD TWO runs a satellite path and a cellular path at the same time. The integrated router watches both. When the satellite path degrades or drops, the cellular path is already up, and traffic moves to it. When the satellite path returns, traffic can move back.
Failover needs no button press and no laptop. The case stays closed.
What failover does not do
Failover is not a guarantee that every application will hold its session. A live video call may glitch during the switch. A file transfer or a VPN tunnel usually continues. Test the specific workload you care about before you rely on it in the field.
Failover also cannot create coverage that does not exist. If neither path has signal, there is no path. That is why the cellular carrier’s coverage at the site matters.
A practical checklist
- Confirm the cellular carrier covers the site before relying on it. HiveCatcher service uses three carriers with automatic switching.
- Confirm the satellite terminal has a clear view before you leave it.
- Test your own critical application through a forced switch.
- Charge the optional battery; both paths running draw more than one.
FIELDHOLD TWO includes an integrated enterprise cellular router, 5G-capable, with firewall, VPN and VLAN support. HiveCatcher service uses three carriers with automatic switching, or you can bring your own SIM. The satellite terminal is not included.