Optimal tuning for Hirschmann switches
October 2011
IT in Manufacturing
Belden has announced release 7.0 of its software platform from the Hirschmann product series, used in the Mach, Mice, Rail and Octopus families of managed switches from Hirschmann. Like previous versions, the latest release of this software platform offers a range of functions normally only found in backbone systems for the office area. These include comprehensive management, diagnosis and filter functions plus various redundancy methods, security mechanisms and real-time applications. In addition to DVMRP and PIM-DM, the new PIM-SM multicast protocol is provided for Layer 3, enabling optimum utilisation of bandwidth. The configuration, security and service functions have also been further enhanced.
Thanks to this latest software update, it is now possible to create configurations offline, without any active connection to the switches. These can be stored locally and copied to the devices later on. What is more, the ARC protocol makes it possible to configure an MRP ring automatically, enhancing the speed and reliability of this process. Only one switch must be modified in order to configure all others in the ring. All settings are then automatically stored on every switch.
Using IEEE802.1x multiclient authentication, several users can be authenticated on the same switch port. Blocked users can be automatically added to a ‘guest VLAN’ that only has restricted usage rights. In addition, ports which have faulty electrical or optical connections can be automatically deactivated in order to ensure the stability of the network.
Over and above this, the new software platform also provides additional service functions for IP telephony. LLDP for media endpoint devices (LLDP-MED) permits automatic assignment of network rules. The incorporation of IP phones into a Voice VLAN is also automatic, ensuring uniform voice quality.
With release 7.0 of its software platform for managed switches, Belden is setting new standards for industrial Ethernet. “Not only does it offer by far the largest range of standard features for the automation area, but this release also provides a whole series of special functions,” says product manager Jürgen Schmid. “The ARC-protocol, for example, enables automatic configuration of a complete MRP ring. This means that installation is simpler, faster and even more reliable.”
For more information contact Fons de Leeuw, Profitek Industrial Communications, 086 165 4321, sales@profiteksa.com, www.profiteksa.com
Further reading:
AI data centres, nature and innovation
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for data centre capacity, with liquid cooling now central to managing the heat generated by high-density GPU clusters. Schneider Electric examines how next-generation data centres can balance performance with environmental responsibility.
Read more...
How to navigate the high-stakes economics of AI infrastructure
IT in Manufacturing
Nearly 60% of data centre operators are expected to adopt liquid cooling within five years as AI workloads drive demand for higher rack densities. Understanding the full financial picture of liquid cooling, from capital investment to long-term operational savings, is now essential.
Read more...
Protecting the digital mine
RJ Connect
IT in Manufacturing
As mining becomes increasingly connected and automated, cyber threats are emerging alongside the benefits of digitalisation. RJ Connect and provides rugged networking, edge computing and cybersecurity technologies from MOXA to help protect critical mining operations from evolving attacks.
Read more...
SICK launches AI-powered 3D quality inspection
SICK Automation Southern Africa
IT in Manufacturing
SICK has combined deep learning with 3D height data analysis in its Nova machine vision platform.
Read more...
Predictive maintenance is the critical enabler for AI data centre liquid cooling systems
IT in Manufacturing
As liquid cooling becomes essential for AI data centres, predictive and condition-based maintenance are emerging as critical enablers of thermal stability. Schneider Electric argues that the infrastructure is already generating the data needed and the question is whether operators are equipped to use it.
Read more...
Siemens software scales with Simple Energy EV development
Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
: Simple Energy, an Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has expanded its use of Siemens Xcelerator software to manage complex vehicle variants and enterprise-level bills of materials, accelerating product development as its EV portfolio scales.
Read more...
ESG as a growth lever
RS South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Leading organisations are treating ESG not as a compliance obligation but as a practical tool for operational efficiency, supply chain resilience and business performance, with data and collaboration central to unlocking its value.
Read more...
Preparing Africa’s data centres for the demands of autonomous AI
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Africa’s data centre infrastructure must evolve significantly to support agentic AI workloads, with GPU-intensive computing, advanced cooling and reliable power demanding a fundamentally different approach to facility design and investment.
Read more...
Virtualising the control room to reshape building management systems
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric explains how virtualising building management systems frees facilities teams from ageing hardware, delivers stronger cybersecurity and enables portfolio-wide control from a single interface.
Read more...
AI infrastructure solutions for data campus
Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric and Motivair deliver more than $290 million in power and cooling infrastructure for TeraWulf’s AI-ready Lake Mariner data campus.
Read more...
printer friendly version