Mission-Critical Networking at the Edge of the Stratosphere
When failure isn’t an option, connectivity has to survive where standard infrastructure can’t. In Aerostar’s high-altitude balloon deployments, Netgate helps keep mission-critical systems connected in extreme conditions. These systems are built to withstand temperatures as low as -80°C, operate for months on solar and battery power and deliver secure, real-time telemetry, command-and-control, and communications from the edge of the stratosphere.
Operates at -80°C
Runs for 3 to 12+ months autonomously
Powered by solar + battery only
Enables real-time telemetry + secure communications
“It’s not just a router, it’s the backbone of our stratospheric networking operations.”
Aaron Wyant, Aerostar International LLC
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Netgate 2100 Base pfSense+ Security Gateway
At first glance, the Netgate 2100 looks like a compact desktop appliance.
But under the hood, it’s doing something much more important. It's bringing enterprise-grade networking and security to environments where traditional infrastructure doesn’t exist.
What It Actually Is (Beyond “Router”)
The 2100 is a multi-function security gateway, combining:
- Firewall
- Router
- VPN concentrator
- Traffic manager
- Edge compute platform
All powered by pfSense Plus. This matters because in environments like Aerostar’s, you don’t deploy multiple devices, you deploy one system that does everything.
Architecture That Punches Above Its Size
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Compute + Performance
- Dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
- Handles:
- 2.2 Gbps routing
- 964 Mbps firewall throughput
- 254 Mbps IPsec VPN
Network Design Flexibility
- 1x WAN (RJ45/SFP combo)
- 4x LAN switch ports (integrated)
Storage + Expandability
- Base: eMMC storage
- Optional: M.2 SSD expansion
This enables:
- Logging at the edge
- Local analytics
- Extended mission data retention
Why It Works in Extreme Environments
Ultra-Low Power Design
- Designed for low energy consumption
- Passive cooling (no fans, no moving parts)
That’s why it works in:
- Solar-powered systems
- Remote deployments
- High-altitude payloads
No Moving Parts = Reliability
- No fans
- No spinning disks
- Silent operation
Thermal Efficiency
Even though official specs list standard operating temps, the architecture supports:
- Low heat generation
- Passive cooling
- Solid-state design
This enables adaptation for extreme environments (like Aerostar’s -80°C use case)
Netgate Offers TAA Compliant Systems
The key benefit of TAA-compliant network security products is peace of mind. Customers get reliable, secure equipment while meeting mandated U.S. government purchasing requirements.
The Real Power: pfSense Plus
Hardware is only half the story
Why It Works in Extreme Environments
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Core Capabilities
- Advanced firewall + packet inspection
- VPN (IPsec, OpenVPN, WireGuard)
- Multi-WAN + failover
- Traffic shaping + QoS
- IDS/IPS (Snort/Suricata)
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Enterprise Without Licensing Complexity
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited firewall rules
- Unlimited VPN tunnels
Cloud + Hybrid Ready
- Built-in AWS VPC wizard
- Secure site-to-site connectivity
- Remote access at scale
