Cradlepoint S400 C6 (Wi-Fi)

Cradlepoint S400 C6 is a compact, semi-ruggedized LTE router for IoT and light-industrial connectivity, with the Wi-Fi configuration providing 802.11ac wireless networking.

Key Features

• Cat 6 4G LTE connectivity
• 1 GbE LAN/WAN-switchable port plus 2 Fast Ethernet ports
• Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ac 1x1 SISO
• Up to 95 Mbps firewall throughput
• Dual SIM support
• Configurable GPIO and expansion options
• USB and optional serial expansion
• Passive GNSS
• PoE support
• Ericsson NetCloud cloud management

Suitable for light industrial, digital signage, surveillance, kiosks, smart-city, and remote monitoring applications.

How it fits into a network

A cellular router is normally one part of a larger connectivity design. The device can sit between a cellular service and the local network, connect directly to equipment, or provide a secondary WAN path alongside an existing broadband connection. The best deployment depends on the number of clients, required applications, available interfaces, security policy, and whether the cellular connection is primary or backup.

Business continuity and failover

When used for backup internet, the cellular connection can provide an alternate path when a primary wired service is interrupted. This can help keep selected business applications, remote access, payment systems, cloud services, and other critical traffic connected. Actual failover behavior depends on network configuration, routing policy, service availability, and the capabilities of the surrounding network.

Choosing the right cellular service

Carrier selection is an important part of the product decision. Check the supported cellular bands for the exact model and regional version, then compare them with the intended carrier. Coverage maps are useful for planning, but real performance can vary by building materials, terrain, signal conditions, congestion, antenna placement, and local network capacity.

Performance in real deployments

Advertised cellular, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or firewall throughput should be treated as device capability rather than a promise of internet speed. The final result depends on the cellular network, service plan, signal quality, connected clients, traffic patterns, radio conditions, and configuration. For a larger rollout, validating the intended site and carrier before deployment can reduce surprises.

Installation planning

Before installation, confirm power requirements, mounting method, antenna connections, cable routing, temperature limits, environmental conditions, and access for maintenance. Indoor, outdoor, industrial, portable, and vehicle installations can have very different requirements. Use the manufacturer's current installation guidance for the exact model and order code.

SIM, eSIM and data planning

A compatible SIM or eSIM profile and active cellular data service may be required unless a service plan is expressly included. Where a product supports multiple SIMs, eSIMs, or modem options, those features can provide additional flexibility for redundancy or carrier selection, but they do not guarantee availability on every network. Confirm activation, data limits, roaming rules, and service terms before deployment.

Security and remote management

Where the listed product supports firewall, VPN, SD-WAN, cloud management, or remote administration capabilities, these functions can help administrators operate distributed networks more consistently. Feature availability can depend on firmware, subscriptions, licensing, and configuration. Secure credentials and appropriate network policies should be used during deployment.

Use in distributed locations

Cellular networking can be useful for branches, stores, kiosks, remote equipment, temporary locations, and other sites where a fixed WAN is unavailable or where a secondary connection is required. For multi-site deployments, using consistent approved configurations and recording the exact model or SKU can make purchasing, replacement, support, and future expansion easier.