The Cisco IoT Field Network Director (FND) is a robust network management system designed to tackle the challenges of managing IoT Field Area Networks (FAN) at scale. It is specifically engineered to support operations teams in handling the lifecycle management of large-scale FAN deployments, which can include thousands of IoT gateways and millions of connected devices. This system is particularly valuable in environments where network connectivity and bandwidth are affected by environmental changes and cellular network coverage.

Key Features of Cisco IoT Field Network Director - Zero-Touch Deployment and Secure Enrollment: Cisco FND facilitates seamless deployment and secure enrollment for tens of thousands of IoT gateways and millions of endpoints. This feature is crucial for efficiently managing extensive networks without manual intervention. - Role-Based Access Control: The system provides role-based access and user audit trails, ensuring secure communications for IoT data transport across various networks and VPN tunnels. This enhances security by allowing only authorized personnel to access sensitive network components. - Reliable Communications: Cisco FND offers reliable communications over cellular and low-power networks, essential for effective lifecycle management. It supports 24/7 real-time monitoring and alerts, ensuring that any issues can be promptly addressed. - Zero-Touch Provisioning for Smart Meters: This feature simplifies the lifecycle management of thousands of Connected Grid Routers (CGRs), IR500s, and millions of resilient mesh endpoints, particularly beneficial for utility Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Distribution Automation (DA) applications. - Virtual Infrastructure for Oil & Gas: For industries like Oil & Gas that require secure data centers, Cisco FND provides a virtual infrastructure to monitor and manage IR800s, which connect high-value assets. - Real-Time Asset Tracking: The system enables real-time tracking of vehicles, cellular signal strength, and geo-fencing. This capability optimizes asset management by providing 24/7 location-based tracking and network monitoring with real-time alerts for faster response to critical events. - Street Lighting Management: Cisco FND can centrally manage and monitor city street lights, which can constitute a significant portion of a city's energy budget. This results in reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and quicker fault resolution.

Cisco IoT Field Network Director is a comprehensive solution that supports diverse industries by providing scalable, secure, and efficient network management capabilities tailored to the unique demands of large-scale IoT deployments.