Belden launches entry-level fast Ethernet industrial switches
September 2015
IT in Manufacturing
Belden has introduced RED25, a new family of entry-level fast Ethernet redundancy switches designed for industrial automation applications in need of cost-effective and high-end redundant network solutions.
RED25’s focus on redundancy makes these switches a solid fit for the automotive, manufacturing and machine building industries. These industries tend to have automation systems that are part of the network infrastructure. When a system failure occurs, it happens most often within the network and causes service interruptions. RED25’s redundancy technology can reduce the effects of these failures, minimising the risk of outages while maximising productivity, ensuring consistent communication and keeping plants operating.
In addition to supporting various redundancy technologies, the switches have comprehensive built-in security features to provide reliable protection against network attacks or operating errors. They are also customisable based on specific port needs or environmental factors, such as temperature range.
“The switches offer flexibility and a future-proof network design. The intent is to provide industrial network engineers, system integrators and machine builders with an entry-level device at an affordable price,” said senior product manager, Juergen Schmid. “This makes them an ideal choice for applications that need an entry-level redundancy switch designed specifically for operation in extreme environmental conditions.”
RED25 provides maximum productivity and network uptime, thanks to interruption-free data communications based on parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and high availability seamless redundancy (HSR). Other redundancy technologies, like rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP), device level ring (DLR) and media redundancy protocol (MRP), allow the switches to connect to existing networks. The switches have also been designed to handle high ambient temperatures and meet precise time synchronisation requirements.
Based on the Hirschmann Operating System (HiOS) software, the family supports several redundancy technologies, while offering a comprehensive range of security features. The switch is offered in two, four-port versions:
• Four fast Ethernet (FE) TX ports.
• Two FE TX ports, plus two FE small form-factor pluggable (SFP) ports.
For more information contact Fons de Leeuw, Profitek, +27 (0)12 345 6544, [email protected], www.profiteksa.com
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