Machine-to-machine, or “M2M,” data communications systems provider Sixnet, LLC has unveiled its new industrial managed Ethernet switch platform, bringing enterprise-class networking to harsh environments.

 

Augmenting the company’s already existing full line of industrial switches, Sixnet’s latest offering – EL228 – is the only product in its class that has true enterprise-class networking capabilities combining reliability, redundancy and ruggedness required for demanding industrial environments.

 

EL228 is a 28 port industrial Ethernet managed switch with a rugged design. It features 24 Fast Ethernet SFP ports, which can be used for any mix of copper RJ45 or fiber transceivers.

 

“The EL228 is the first Ethernet switch platform to provide the security, reliability and broad enterprise-class networking features that organizations in these markets require,” Hilton Nicholson, president and CEO of Sixnet, said.

 

EL228 also features LEDs, power/ground connections, console ports and bracket positions on both the front and back of the switch, thereby facilitating customers to install the unit in front and rear/reverse arrangements as required. Its multiple mounting bracket positions, movable power plugs, LEDs and front and back console ports make it easy to stock for rapid delivery and deployment, says company.

 

Sixnet EL228 is compliant with IEC (News - Alert) 61850/IEEE1613 standards, imminent on the approval of KEMA. The support for IEC 61850/IEEE1613 standards means that EL228 is tough enough for almost all industrial applications.

 

This makes the switch most suitable for extreme environmental conditions, such as those found in the power generation and distribution industry, the transportation industry and IP-based video security.

 

Apart from being ideal for demanding environments, EL228 also facilitates for a new generation of smart applications for oil and gas industries, where products are delivered in a hardened form factor with proven reliability even in environments as extreme as U.S. Navy air traffic control in Antarctica and oil platforms in Oman.

 

In addition, the EL228 switch is also provided with advanced cyber-security, in order to protect it unauthorized access.

 

EL228 features fast redundancy, which helps in keeping networks running even under fault conditions. Enhanced multicasting feature helps in optimizing network bandwidth.

 

Apart form having a powerful management and monitoring capability for easy deployment and troubleshooting, the EL228 switch also features real-time message delivery, in order to ensure that important data arrives on time.

 

Sixnet's patent-pending universal mounting feature and flexible port options on EL228 provides customers with easy order and deployment options. In addition, it considerably reduces the need to inventory spare switches, because customers can dynamically configure its ports to match the configuration of any switch in their network.