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Upgrade Your Network Monitoring: A Smarter, Compatible, and Scalable Strategy

By Andrew Erickson

April 23, 2025

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Years and decades of incremental expansion in your network can easily result in a patchwork of incompatible protocols, complicated integrations, and limited visibility. Your team might be grappling with slow, disconnected systems that let important alarms slip through the cracks. Or you may want to bring non-standard devices into your preferred head-end, like Motorola UEM or Nokia NSP, but not know how to make that happen.

Let's talk about the right approach here. Upgrading to the right devices offers a straightforward, cost-effective, and (most importantly) proven way to solve your network visibility challenges - without tossing out all the investments you've already made.

Network Visibility

Fragmented Monitoring Leaves You in the Dark

Over years of growth, you collect a mishmash of devices and systems at your remote sites. Your RTUs and other gear might still be functioning at some level, but they probably weren't designed for the demands of modern telecom and IP networking.

  • Limited protocol support - Older devices typically don't handle SNMP or DNP3 well (if they do at all).
  • Clunky alarm masters - Your central manager might struggle to integrate with new hardware, or it could fail to connect easily with third-party systems.
  • High alarm noise - You might be flooded with meaningless alerts or missing the important ones.
  • Reactive mindset - With limited real-time visibility, your team can't see small problems before they grow into big issues.

If you've tried quick fixes, you know that approach doesn't scale. What you need is a fully integrated, modern monitoring setup that puts you in complete control.

Create Total Network Visibility with Minimal Disruption

Essentially, you should keep your current network architecture intact, but replace outdated remote units with modern, intelligent alternatives. These updated devices should then connect to a centralized alarm master station. The master will communicate with your existing management platforms and other third-party systems.

Here's what it looks like when you have a cohesive system like this:

  • Modern RTUs at each remote site manage alarm collection, environmental monitoring, and automation logic.
  • A centralized master station receives this data and presents it in a list-based or map-based interface with smart filtering, escalation rules, and historical analytics.
  • Third-party systems integrate directly using standard protocols like SNMP or other protocols over, whenever possible, IP connections. This means no costly middleware or complex configuration required.

Suddenly, all your remote locations come into clear view through a single, unified dashboard. You eliminate silos, reduce guesswork, and stop relying on guesswork about whether your remote infrastructure is up and running.

End Network Blind Spots For Good

DPS Telecom understands the benefit of keeping your current network in place but simply swapping out your aging RTUs. With the newest G6 platform, it's easy to replace any older DPS NetGuardians that aren't compatible with modern security standards. You can also connect them to a centralized T/Mon alarm master - such as the T/Mon SLIM G3 - that (optionally) also talks to your Motorola UEM, Nokia NSP, and other third-party systems.

This allows you to have:

  • Dependable NetGuardian RTUs at each site handle alarm collection, environmental monitoring, and control logic.
  • T/Mon SLIM G3 receives data from every RTU. It gives you a map-based interface with escalations, filtering, and analytics.
  • Third-party systems (Motorola UEM, Nokia NSP) integrated via SNMP/LAN.

As a result, all your sites become visible through a single pane of glass. No more silos, guesswork, or frantic phone calls just to figure out if your remote equipment is still operational.

The NetGuardian 864 G6 + T/Mon SLIM G3 Make a Good Pair

The benefits of using a G6 NetGuardian and a T/Mon approach go deeper than simple device upgrades. Let's break down exactly how this setup eliminates your biggest headaches.

G6 Upgrade with T/Mon

Modernize Hardware Without the Headaches

If you've been running NetGuardian 864 G5 units for years, moving to the G6 is a low-friction, plug-and-play experience. You get:

  • Faster processing: A modern CPU that can handle more alarms and poll faster.
  • Greater I/O capacity: More sensors and controls so you can monitor critical points in real time.
  • Secure remote access: Encryption and modern authentication keep your sites safer.
  • Open protocols: Native SNMP and DNP3 for smooth integration with your existing or future systems.

Best of all, the size and connector layout match the older G5 (and earlier) units in most cases. You won't have to retrain your entire field team or spend months redesigning racks.

Simple Integration with Existing Systems

The NetGuardian 864 G6 supports open standards, so you're not chained to a proprietary ecosystem. If you need SNMP to forward alarms to Motorola UEM, you can do so. If you need DNP3 for integration into a SCADA system, the G6 can handle that, too.

Since your G6 units all speak the same language, you avoid complicated development or specialized "translation" gear. This is especially important if you're bringing data into something like Nokia NSP, which demands well-structured SNMP traps.

Centralized Visibility of All Alarms with T/Mon SLIM G3

The T/Mon SLIM G3 is the nerve center of your new monitoring strategy. It scales easily across many sites, mediates alarms from older devices, and gives you a single, map-based view of every location. This way, you can:

  • Prioritize mission-critical alarms so they rise to the top.
  • Set up escalation rules that notify the right person at the right time (via email, text, or phone).
  • Filter noise to avoid alarm fatigue.
  • Track data trends over time to spot looming failures before they strike.

T/Mon has been proven over decades and is built specifically for telecom, utilities, railways, and public safety networks with critical reliability demands.

Lower Cost Through a Phased Migration

Using DPS RTUs as an example, you're under no pressure from DPS to replace all your G5 units at once. We're still currently selling G5 units (and will probably continue until we can no longer source parts). You can transition to improved G6 encryption at whatever speed your security mandates require.

As another example, you might have third-party RTUs that are discontinued and slowly failing. You can start by replacing only the ones that are failing or giving you the most headaches. Then, move forward in phases. That way, you protect your budget and avoid operational disruptions.

Backward Compatibility: Protect Your Legacy Investments

One of the biggest fears in any hardware upgrade is losing everything you've invested in previous gear. With DPS equipment, that's not an issue. G6 NetGuardians have:

  • Same physical size and connector layout as G5 units
  • Support for existing alarm wiring and power
  • Minimal configuration tweaks for T/Mon

Because the NetGuardian 864A G6 is backward-compatible (just like most other G6 models), you won't be forced to rewire entire racks or wonder if your old cable harnesses will fit. You can essentially unplug the G5 and plug in a G6. This allows your field techs to stay productive, and you avoid major downtime at your sites.

Use Failover and Redundancy for Mission-Critical Sites

Some networks can tolerate an hour or two of downtime while others can't. If you're in the latter - say you manage 911 call centers, electrical substations, or critical backhaul for public-safety radio - then redundant monitoring is mandatory.

  • Dual NICs and power inputs on the G6 ensure that if one network path or power supply fails, you stay connected.
  • Hot standby failover on the T/Mon SLIM G3 means if your primary master goes down, a backup T/Mon server takes over instantly.
  • Multiple notification methods (email, SMS, voice) keep you in the loop even if T/Mon itself is unreachable momentarily.

Pick Gear Field-Tested in the Harshest Environments

With real-world monitoring, you can't predict every environmental challenge. You might be deploying at mountaintop radio towers, inside desert huts, or on remote oil platforms. That's why DPS gear is designed, built, and tested in the United States under rigorous conditions.

  • Temperature extremes: NetGuardian RTUs handle scorching heat and freezing cold.
  • Lightning and EMI: Rugged design and proper grounding protect from electrical noise and surges.
  • Unstable power: Wide voltage range that is more tolerant of brownouts, generator transitions, and more.

By working with DPS, you're aligning with a manufacturer who has worked alongside telecom, utility, and rail clients for decades. This means your devices have a proven track record of surviving tough environments.

Leverage a Built-In Web Interface and Remote Tools

Sometimes, you just need a quick check on a remote site without firing up your entire alarm master. That's where the G6's built-in web interface shines. The user interface gives you:

  • Real-time alarm view: Keep tabs on door alarms, sensors, and more without having to VPN into T/Mon.
  • Relay control: Toggle your generator, HVAC units, or other systems from anywhere.
  • Firmware updates: Push them out remotely for better security and stability.
  • Diagnostics: Pull data logs and run basic troubleshooting before you roll a truck.

This speeds up your workflow and lets your site techs operate with more independence.

Customize Alarm Filtering and Escalation Logic

Every network has unique demands, and you might have some specialized rules for how alarms should be escalated. T/Mon lets you build sophisticated filtering and automation:

  • Nuisance alarm suppression: Silence certain alarms if they toggle more than five times in a minute.
  • Multi-condition logic: For instance, door open + motion sensor triggered could mean a real break-in.
  • Time-of-day routing: During the day, alarms go to your NOC staff. Overnight, they go to an on-call tech's phone.
  • Severity-based notifications: Only your highest-priority alerts page out to the entire team.

Don't waste time chasing false alarms, or missing the serious alarms that require immediate action.

DPS Telecom Is the Best Partner

Plenty of vendors want to sell you gear. What sets DPS apart is a consultative, solutions-driven approach honed through decades of partnership with telcos, utilities, and government agencies:

  • Deep telecom expertise - DPS started in the early '90s (making T/Mon for large carriers that demanded bulletproof solutions).
  • US-based design and manufacturing - You can trust the quality and talk directly to the people who built your devices.
  • Longevity - DPS products are built to last 10+ years (at minimum; plenty are still deployed after 20 years), with plenty of expansion headroom for new technologies.
  • One-call tech support - You get direct access to engineers who know your system, not just a generic tech-support line.

DPS isn't just selling hardware. We're helping you build a long-term strategy for network visibility.

Let's Talk About Your Upgrade

If you're dealing with disconnected alarm masters or complicated SNMP setups, it's time to upgrade. Talk with a DPS engineer to craft a custom proposal for your specific sites, taking into account your existing equipment, budget realities, and operational needs.

Your next step?

By using a G6 RTU in conjunction with T/Mon, you can finally shift from reactive responses to proactive control. By doing so, you ensure your team catches problems before they bring down service.

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Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson

Andrew Erickson is an Application Engineer at DPS Telecom, a manufacturer of semi-custom remote alarm monitoring systems based in Fresno, California. Andrew brings more than 18 years of experience building site monitoring solutions, developing intuitive user interfaces and documentation, and opt...