28-port Ethernet switch configures in the field

A manufacturer of industrial and commercial machine-to-machine networking equipment has released an industrial managed Ethernet switch platform. The EL228, a 28-port switch from Sixnet Inc, Ballston Lake, N.Y., combines the reliability and redundancy required of demanding industrial environments, such as wind farms. A wide range of high-end enterprise-class networking functions gives the Ethernet switch capabilities required for “smart” applications delivered in a hardened form factor and with proven reliability in the extreme environments often encountered at wind farms.

The EL228 delivers the lowest total cost of ownership of industrial Ethernet switch. It does so by providing 24 Fast Ethernet small form-factor pluggable ports that are field configurable. This lets users modify configurations as networking requirements change, thus eliminating the excessive upgrades required when using conventional preconfigured industrial switches. The switch also reduces the need to inventory spare switches because users can dynamically configure the ports to match the configuration of switch in their network.

The switch features LEDs, power and ground connections, console ports and bracket positions on the front and back, letting users install the unit in front and rear/reverse arrangements as needed.

The rugged design complies with IEC 61850/IEEE1613 standards (KEMA approval imminent). A few features include:

• Advanced cyber-security protects against unauthorized access
• Fast redundancy keeps networks running even under fault conditions
• Real-time message delivery ensures that important data arrives on time
• Enhanced multicasting makes best use of network bandwidth
• Management and monitoring features deploy easily, assist troubleshooting