The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech introduces four new managed industrial Ethernet switches with integrated 100Mbps fiber optic ports; the EKI-7554MI, EKI-7554SI, EKI-7559MI, and EKI-7559SI. These compact and industrially hardened switches offer advanced traffic control for optimum network performance and security, along with rapid self-healing fiber optic ring capabilities that ensure network uptime in adverse environments.

The EKI-7554MI and EKI-7554SI offer four 10/100Base-TX ports and two 100Base-FX fiber ports, while the EKI-7559MI and EKI-7559SI offer eight 10/100Base-TX ports and two 100Base-FX fiber ports. All models are equipped with SC type optical fiber connections, and are available in multi-mode (MI models) and single-mode (SI models) fiber configurations. Additionally, these ruggedized switches feature an extended operating temperature range of -40 to 167°F (-40 to 75°C).

“In response to customer demand, we’re pleased to offer these new additions to our product line”, said Paul Wacker, Advantech’s Product Manager for Industrial Communication products. “With integrated fiber ports, they’re ideal for applications beyond the 100m (328 ft.) distance limitation of copper Cat5 cabling, and in those requiring the total electrical isolation inherently provided by optical fiber.

To meet the real-time fault-tolerant needs of manufacturing, the dual fiber connections can be used to connect multiple managed switches in a self-healing ring configuration, which provides a secondary communications path in the event that the primary is interrupted. In addition to open standard Spanning Tree (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), the EKI-7000 family switches also support Advantech’s ultra fast X-Ring, which guarantees recovery in less than 10 ms.

Another key benefit of the EKI-7000 managed switches is advanced network traffic management. Using Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), a physical network can be logically subdivided in multiple logical networks, improving performance and enhanced security. With the rising popularity of Ethernet/IP and other industrial protocols that use multicast messaging, IGMP Snooping can direct these messages to only the participating devices, without flooding all of the other devices with unnecessary multicast traffic.

Managed switches also offer a variety of built-in diagnostics tools, for quick and easy network troubleshooting and maintenance. Port statistics allows remote monitoring of device connection status and data traffic throughput, and the switch can also proactively send an e-mail message or SNMP trap (alarm) when a fault has been detected, minimizing network downtime. Also these switches support Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), for centralized remote management or integration with HMI and SCADA systems.

Ideal for demanding environments, these ruggedized switches have been designed to withstand extreme shock and vibration, extended operating temperatures of -40 to 167°F (-40 to 75°C), and include redundant 12 to 48 VDC power inputs for resiliency. Packaged in a metal IP30 rated chassis, these switches feature standard DIN-rail or direct panel mounts. Plus, they are UL/CSA, FCC, CE, and RoHS/WEEE certified.

Harry Forbes, an analyst at Boston-based ARC Advisory Group noted “Advantech continues to aggressively expand their industrial Ethernet product line. These new managed switches are capable of serving high-end industrial applications and can form fully managed Ethernet networks with very high availability. They further broaden the range of applications Advantech serves for critical network infrastructure.”

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