- Comet 5G ensures continuous remote access even when primary networks fail unexpectedly
- Multi-network failover automatically switches between Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and 5G RedCap
- Local wireless SSID enables control even in environments without internet or air-gapped setups
GL.iNet has announced Comet 5G, a remote KVM designed to maintain control of computers when conventional network access becomes unreliable or unavailable.
The device combines wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and cellular connectivity in a single enclosure with the aim of reducing dependence on a single access method.
The Comet 5G builds on the GL.iNet Comet and retains the compact, subscription-free KVM over IP simplicity that made it popular with IT professionals and home lab enthusiasts.
Multi-network failover and connectivity requirements
The core claim is simple: persistent remote control even when networks fail or environments are constrained.
Comet 5G relies on a multi-network failover system that automatically switches between Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6 and cellular connections.
The intent is to keep the device available when the primary network goes down, especially during troubleshooting or recovery scenarios.
This approach is consistent with environments where access conditions are unstable, including air-gapped facilities where connectivity is deliberately limited.
The cellular component is based on 5G RedCap, a reduced-capacity standard designed for lower power and bandwidth requirements.
This is similar to its implementation in devices like the CTL NL73 Chromebook, which leverages 5G RedCap to affordably extend mid-speed connections.
While this enables basic remote access when wired or wireless networks are not available, it does not imply full 5G performance.
There’s also no microSD card slot, removing a simple option for expandable local storage or offline media management, and the absence of eSIM support limits deployment flexibility as physical SIM management is still required.
In addition to wide-area connectivity, Comet 5G includes a local access function intended for environments without internet availability.
The device can broadcast its own SSID, creating a direct wireless management link to a nearby control system.
This allows administrators to interact with connected machines on site, even when both the KVM and the controller lack external network access.
Such functionality expands deployment scenarios, although it depends on physical proximity rather than remote range.
GL.iNet has increased built-in storage to 64 GB eMMC, intended to support multiple operating system images.
Data transfer speeds are rated at up to 25 MB/s, which can shorten recovery processes after system failures.
This internal storage replaces the reliance on removable media, although it also reinforces the previous limitation created by the lack of microSD expansion.
The hardware includes a touchscreen and an HDMI port, reinforcing its role as a direct control and monitoring device rather than a purely headless tool.
The touch screen and dual Ethernet have echo design seen in the GL.iNet’s Slate 7 Portable Router, while the multi-network failover concept is refined from their Puli AX mobile router.
According to GL.iNet, Comet 5G is a response to increasingly fragile network assumptions and is currently available for pre-order through its official channels.
Via TechPowerUp
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