Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit
Keep mission-critical communications connected. Disasters, outages, and remote operations can put traditional connectivity out of reach. The Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit provides a portable, secure platform to rapidly bridge cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi networks in demanding environments.
Download the "Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit" solution brief to explore its capabilities, benefits, configurations, and mission-critical use cases.
What is the Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit (ECK)?
The Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit (ECK) is a self-contained, portable, secure networking solution built for mission-critical environments where traditional connectivity is unavailable or unreliable.
Assembled and tested in TD SYNNEX Integration Labs, the ECK combines:
- Fortinet security and networking (FortiGate, FortiExtender, FortiAP)
- Parsec rugged cases and high-performance antennas
- Optional Starlink satellite integration (Pitbull model)
It is designed for organizations that need secure, rapidly deployable connectivity in the field, including:
- Emergency response and disaster recovery teams
- Defense and tactical operations
- Utilities and critical infrastructure crews
- Continuity of government operations
- Media, elections, and public event teams
The ECK can bridge cellular (5G/LTE), satellite, and Wi‑Fi networks in minutes, providing encrypted, policy-controlled access back to headquarters, cloud resources, or other field sites—even in harsh or remote locations.
How do the Pitbull and Bloodhound kits differ?
The ECK comes in two main configurations—Pitbull and Bloodhound—built on the same Fortinet technology but optimized for different roles in the field network.
Pitbull: High-performance mobile branch hub
- Primary role: Central “hub” for secure, high-performance mobile branches.
- Connectivity:
- Dual 5G LTE radios (active-active)
- Starlink satellite backhaul via integrated Starlink Mini mount (dish provided by customer)
- Wi‑Fi 6 access via FortiAP 243K
- Core components:
- FortiGate Rugged 70G‑5G‑DUAL (NGFW with SD‑WAN and zero-trust enforcement)
- FortiAP 243K Wi‑Fi 6 access point
- Custom Parsec Pitbull case with dual 4x4 MIMO cellular, 4x4 MIMO Wi‑Fi, and integrated battery
- Key capabilities:
- Full SD‑WAN with Layer 7 application steering and QoE
- Centralized security: firewall, VPN, intrusion prevention, zero-trust network access
- Rapid deployment in under five minutes with preconfigured policies
- Ideal for: Disaster relief hubs, enterprise failover sites, mobile command centers, and rugged remote branches.
Bloodhound: Flexible mobile spoke and thin edge
- Primary role: Mobile “spoke” or thin edge device providing secure 5G LTE WAN and Wi‑Fi.
- Connectivity:
- 5G LTE via FortiExtender Vehicle 511G
- Embedded Wi‑Fi 6 for local access
- Supports eSIM plus dual physical SIMs (active-passive multicarrier failover)
- Core components:
- FortiExtender Vehicle 511G (rugged 5G LTE router)
- Custom Parsec Bloodhound case with high-gain 4x4 MIMO cellular and 2x2 MIMO Wi‑Fi antenna
- Omnicharge Ultimate custom battery
- Key capabilities:
- Acts as a resilient mobile WAN node back to HQ or cloud
- Can be managed standalone, in the cloud, or by a remote FortiGate
- When managed by FortiGate, can leverage FortiGuard Labs advanced threat protection
- Ideal for: Law enforcement, emergency fleets, utilities, defense logistics, surveillance, and covert operations.
In short: choose Pitbull when you need a high-performance, secure hub with satellite and dual 5G; choose Bloodhound when you need a compact, carrier-flexible 5G/Wi‑Fi spoke for vehicles and mobile teams.
What business outcomes does the ECK support in the field?
The ECK is designed to help organizations reimagine field connectivity by combining rugged hardware, secure networking, and flexible transport options into a single kit. Key outcomes include:
1. Faster recovery and continuity
- Rapid deployment: Pitbull can be brought online in under five minutes with preconfigured security and routing policies.
- Supports continuity for government, utilities, emergency management, and critical infrastructure during outages, relocations, or disasters.
- Enables secure command, control, and coordination in the field when fixed infrastructure is unavailable.
2. Reduced downtime and operational costs
- SD‑WAN orchestration across 5G, LTE, satellite, and Wi‑Fi helps maintain uptime by steering traffic based on loss, latency, jitter, and data caps.
- Carrier diversity via eSIM + dual SIMs (Bloodhound) and dual 5G radios (Pitbull) reduces dependence on any single provider.
- Centralized management (on-premises, cloud, or via FortiGate/FortiManager) supports enterprise-scale deployments with consistent policies.
3. Strong security and compliance in harsh conditions
- Zero-trust enforcement and end-to-end visibility via FortiGate Rugged 70G.
- All traffic—whether over Starlink, LTE, or 5G—is encrypted and inspected under the Fortinet Security Fabric.
- When FortiExtender is managed by FortiGate, organizations can apply FortiGuard Labs threat intelligence to field traffic.
4. Reliable performance in demanding environments
- Parsec’s high-gain multi-MIMO antennas (up to 4x4 cellular and 4x4 Wi‑Fi) are engineered for low-signal and harsh-weather scenarios.
- Rugged, TSA-approved cases with shock-absorbing, impact-resistant designs support air travel and field deployment.
- Integrated battery backup in both Pitbull and Bloodhound helps maintain connectivity during power interruptions.
Together, these capabilities help organizations maintain secure, high-performance communications in the field, while managing risk, controlling costs, and supporting mission-critical operations across more than one connectivity option.
Fortinet and Parsec Emergency Connectivity Kit
published by Hammer IT Consulting, Inc.
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