Industrial-strength switch runs long distance nets

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 11, 2002

GarrettCom Europe has released a new version of its industrial-strength Magnum P62F switch which is used for industrial Ethernet networks in outdoors applications.

GarrettCom Europe has released a new version of its industrial-strength Magnum P62F switch which is used for industrial Ethernet networks in outdoors applications.

The Managed P62F uses SNMP (simple network management protocol), to allow remote configuration and continuous monitoring over a network spanning very long distances.

The P62F has two fibre ports so it can be daisychained over great distances, and it has six copper (RJ45) ports for local devices at each drop.

Applications include roadside, trackside or pipeline data collection and control, industrial plants, plenums and ceiling locations in commercial buildings, data comms huts and pedestals, and military field operations sites.

P62F is typically fastened to a pedestal or post, which increases its heat sinking capability.

As networks could be hundreds of miles in length the Managed P62F concept means that each switch can be configured at any time from anywhere on the network without having to be physically accessed - clearly a major advantage.

A local console port for a VT100 terminal is provided for local access.

SNMP allows the Managed P62F to collect and save predefined data and respond to queries and commands from a network manager station located long distances away.

The device complies with SNMPv1.

Individual ports may be enabled/disabled, parameters such as speed and full or half-duplex can be set, and auto-negotiation and Auto MDIX can be enabled/disabled.

Port-based virtual LANs (VLANs) can be configured too, so that groups of nodes can communicate with each other - whether connected directly to the port or connected indirectly via unmanaged switches or cascaded hubs.

VLAN ports and nodes are effectively isolated from other activity on the network thereby offering more secure operations.

Other supported features include IEEE802.1P quality of service.

Differences with the unmanaged P62F include a slightly modified connector layout that includes a DB-9 management console increased, an increased packet buffer size of 256Kbyte, IK node tables and an increased power rating.

Spanning tree for fast network recovery after a break is under consideration.

The Managed P62F can withstand tough environments such as outdoors or in temperatures up to 70C and down to -40C.

The case is engineered from steel to dissipate heat, and low power consumption ensures heat generation is kept to a minimum.

No internal fan is used.

The case is sealed to prevent ingress of insects.

Smoke is also prevented from entering, thus protecting from internal damage if a fire occurs nearby.

MTBF is 15 years and the P62F is backed by a three-year warranty.

Although the case is not waterproof, it can be sited inside an enclosure to provide all-weather protection.

A choice of 100Mbit/s fibre port connectors is supported along with multimode and single-mode fibre cabling (and combinations).

The unit is DC-powered for high reliability and convenience.