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Increase network reliability and add redundancy with Ethernet switches from Black Box. Ethernet switches are network hardware devices or "central hubs" that allow communication between devices within an Ethernet network. They connect all the computers, printers, servers, and storage devices in the office, giving employees access to shared resources. Designed to safeguard uninterrupted data transmission for mission-critical monitoring and communications networks, these switches offer redundancy, ensuring your network has automatic failovers which guarantees 100% uptime. Whereas commercial Ethernet switches serve SMB and enterprise applications, industrial Ethernet switches are designed to withstand exposure to dust, vibrations, temperature extremes and EMI, and provide redundant power. PoE ports can be used to power remote equipment, which is especially useful in hard-to-reach outdoor areas.
Ethernet Switches Benefits
Maximise Network Uptime
Ethernet switches deliver an economical standalone solution for access layer deployments in branch offices and low-density campus networks, satisfying the connectivity requirements of today’s high-performance businesses.
Fast Failovers for Network Resiliency
Improve network resiliency with Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and ultra-fast Alpha-Ring protocols, which can reroute traffic in less than 30 milliseconds in case of a link failure.
Easy Integration with Legacy Networks
Easy and cost-effective way of integrating legacy networks, providing redundancy, and eliminating the need for additional configurations and modifications, which reduces deployment time.
Speed Compatibility
Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) switches support 1 Gbps, but also 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps for compatibility with lower-speed devices. Older 10/100 switches cannot handle Gigabit speeds; however, all Ethernet devices sense the speed of the connection and transmit at the highest common denominator.
Use of MAC Address Tables
Ethernet switches forward data based on the MAC address (Media Access Control) address, which is unique for each device on the network, contained in the data packet. This allows the switches to determine the location of each node and establish a temporary connection between itself and the node, and terminate once the packet is transferred.
Withstand Harsh Environments
Industrial Ethernet switches are capable of withstanding temperature extremes of -40°C to 75°C. Meeting numerous standards, industrial switches are explosion-proof, intrinsically safe, purged or pressurised.
Industrial Ethernet Switches vs. Commercial Ethernet Switches
For decades Ethernet switches were used solely in commercial/office networks where climate-controlled IT racks housed the switches. More recently, industrial networks used in manufacturing, processing, and energy production have migrated to using Ethernet-based IP networks. Industrial Ethernet switches are designed for harsh conditions in f.e. plant floor environments and last for a long time while commercial Ethernet switches are designed for SMB, enterprise and data centre applications and have a shorter overall lifespan.
Other differences between industrial and commercial Ethernet switches are:
Operating Temperature: The specifications of industrial Ethernet switches (temperature, shock, vibration, etc.) meet or exceed the equipment being connected. Most commercial Ethernet switches have commercial temperature ratings (0 to 40° C), and do not publish shock and vibration specs. Industrial Ethernet switches are capable to withstand temperature extremes of -40 to 75° C, and have excellent shock and vibration specs.
Mounting: Industrial Ethernet switches are housed in rugged industrial style steel enclosures using DIN-rail or panel mounting, instead of the 19" rack mounting which is more common for commercial Ethernet switches.
Power Redundancy: Commercial Ethernet switches rely on a single power supply to power the switch, while Industrial Ethernet switches typically run off DC power, and have redundant power inputs. This allows the weakest link (the power supply) to have a hot standby back-up, insuring maximum uptime.
Use in Hazardous Areas: Industrial Ethernet switches carry a Class I Div 2, group ABCD rating. This allows the Industrial Ethernet switches to operate where explosive gases are being used (very typical for industrial applications).
Ethernet Switches Features
HIGH RELIABILITY & REDUNDANCY
Provide high reliability and redundancy needed for mission-critical networks. For resiliency, Ethernet switches offer around 30-ms failover time in a ring configuration.
QUALITY OF SERVICE (QoS) SUPPORT
QoS gives priority to certain types of time-sensitive and mission-critical data protocols (e.g. audio and video), over other non-urgent ones (e.g. SMTP, HTTP). For example, QoS gives priority to telephone traffic over e-mail traffic, ensuring that the quality of a phone call isn’t degraded when someone downloads a large file.
BUILT-IN SECURITY
To protect vital data, look for 802.1X port-based network access control to authenticate devices connecting to your network, access control lists (ACLs) to keep guests or unauthorised users from accessing sensitive portions of the network, and virtual LANs (VLANS) to isolate guest traffic from the critical corporate network traffic.
PoE SUPPORT
Add IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and other Ethernet-enabled devices to a network. PoE eliminates the need for separate power supplies, as well as the costs of running additional cable and circuits.
FLEXIBLE SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Managed switches use protocols such as SNMP for collecting, organising and modifying information to change the device’s behaviour (able to visualise and maintain an entire network remotely, providing real-time data at every node).
GREEN
IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet scales down power consumption during periods of low data activity. This feature adds up to energy savings of up to 50%.
Ethernet Switches Portfolio
From the edge of your network to harsh, difficult environments, Black Box offers the largest selection of commercial and industrial Ethernet switches.
Industrial Ethernet Switches
Encased in an IP30-rated metal case, industrial Ethernet switches are specifically designed to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to +75° C, vibrations and shocks inherent to industrial environments. Managed and unmanaged models are available.
Managed switches can be configured to adjust speeds, combine users in subgroups, monitor traffic and report network activity. They use a protocol called Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), that makes it possible to manage and troubleshoot a network remotely and securely.
Unmanaged switches are plug-and-play switches that allow Ethernet devices to communicate with one another by providing a connection to the network and passing information to where it needs to go. They come with a fixed configuration and do not allow any changes to be made.
802.3af PoE / 802.3at PoE+ switches power wireless access points, security cameras, VoIP phones, remote sensors, and other Ethernet-enabled devices, under a vast array of settings. They support extended reach in outdoor applications and simplify the use of devices in hard-to-reach outdoor and remote areas.
Web smart switches offer access to switch management features such as port monitoring, link aggregation, and VPN via a web browser. These switches generally do not have SNMP management capabilities.
Grow your network by connecting multiple Gigabit Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Ethernet devices. Easily monitor QoS, port mirroring, tag- and port-based VLAN, and bandwidth-aggregation capabilities.
POE simplifies the installation of IP security cameras by eliminating the need for a power circuit near the installed device. POE / PoE+ switches power these devices and backhaul signals to remote data centres or operations centres.
Ideal for use in factory automation, controlling machinery, PLCs, motor drives, sensors, counters, inspection cameras and packaging equipment. These switches fulfill the long-haul data transmission that large scale factories need, making it easier to configure and support high-speed data transfer between machines or to the central control room.
Allowing remote monitoring and control of building HVAC, mechanical, electronics, and lighting systems, reducing OPEX and improving system uptime.
Providing the ideal remote monitoring capabilities such as connecting surveillance cameras and equipment in temporary and remote sites, enabling reliable surveillance in scenarios like wellheads, pipelines and refineries.
Ideal for intelligent transportation systems present in train stations, ticketing machines and parking systems, allowing centralised traffic monitoring accross long distances and high bandwidths requirements.
Engineered to address the performance demands of strategic military applications in order to deliver secure, reliable and flexible connectivity for on-board vehicle and aircraft communications networks.
Resources
White Paper
The Difference between Unmanaged, Managed and Web Smart Switches
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