Product category:
Industrial networking and communications
News Release from: Rockwell Automation | Subject: Industrial Ethernet switches integrated with Cisco
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 21 April 2008
Ethernet switch is optimised for
EtherNet/IP
Rockwell Automation's latest industrial Ethernet switches are integrated with Cisco technology to effectively manage real-time control and information flow.
Rockwell Automation has introduced industrial Ethernet switches integrated with Cisco technology to effectively manage real-time control and information flow The switches also include Ethernet switch technology embedded in the Rockwell Automation and third-party products, allowing for flexible topologies, as well as unmanaged switches and physical media
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 7 Jan 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The portfolio includes modular managed, embedded, fixed managed and unmanaged switches, and deploys standard, unmodified Ethernet, with settings optimised for use in EtherNet/IP applications.
The switches facilitate network convergence in manufacturing and IT to create business efficiency, agility and competitive advantage for manufacturers.
* Modular managed switches - these switches use the current Cisco Catalyst switch architecture and feature set.
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Supported by powerful configuration tools the switches help provide secure integration with the enterprise network for IT professionals.
At the same time, it allows for easy set-up and comprehensive diagnostics from within the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture.
The switch can be configured using Allen-Bradley RSLogix 5000 programming software.
It also automatically generates Logix tags for integrated diagnostics and includes FactoryTalk View faceplates for status monitoring and alarming.
A removable compact flash card provides one-step device replacement and default configurations.
Offering from six to 26 ports with options for copper and fiber, this switch line will be available in mid-2008.
* Embedded switch technology - Rockwell Automation embeds Ethernet switch technology directly into popular automation equipment - such as programmable automation controllers, distributed I/O and drives - to allow for better configuration choices for EtherNet/IP applications, such as daisy-chain and ring topologies.
The technology allows for high-performance ring capability (make/break < 1ms), complete with diagnostics.
The hardware embeds popular switch features useful in high-performance applications without the need for configuration.
These features include IEEE-1588 time synchronisation, QoS (prioritisation), SFTP for ring configurations (fault-tolerance), IGMP snooping and cut-through.
A standalone three-port module will be available with the initial release of products and will allow single port Ethernet devices to participate in the new topologies.
This technology is available in mid-2008.
* Fixed managed switches - fixed managed switches feature simple set-up and default configurations for EtherNet/IPand integrates set-up and diagnostic information into Logix using the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP).
The small, fixed form-factor provides four or eight copper ports with an option for a fibre uplink to higher-level networks.
Rockwell told manufacturingtalk that it is suitable for OEM machinery as well as applications with distributed networked devices.
Available now.
* Unmanaged switches and media - unmanaged switches and a line of industrial media are industrial grade products with four to eight ports that offer a variety of copper and fibre options.
The unmanaged switches are easy to apply because they do not require any configuration, said Rockwell.
Products are also available for more demanding machine (IP67) applications.
* ARC Advisory Group - "With this announcement Rockwell Automation is showing its plan to simplify industrial Ethernet networks for its customers," said Harry Forbes, senior analyst at ARC Advisory Group.
He explained: "Now virtually any type of Ethernet infrastructure can be sourced from Rockwell Automation: managed or unmanaged, modular or fixed, mesh or ring, and embedded or separate infrastructures.
Rockwell Automation has also included one-step device replacement and integrated configuration of both the Ethernet network and the automation application".
Forbes concluded: "The Cisco Catalyst features will certainly appeal to manufacturers' IT organisations.
These products will alter the whole industrial Ethernet landscape in 2008. Request a free brochure from Rockwell Automation ...
I'm impressed.".
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