Industrial Networking Showdown: Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches

This review will go over Cisco Industrial ethernet switches and analyze the reasons behind their unrivaled position.

In today’s connected world, reliable and efficient network infrastructure is crucial for businesses of all sizes to grow and profit securely. One of the essential components of a network infrastructure is a network switch.

The network switch acts as a central hub, connecting devices in a local area network (LAN) and facilitating communication between them. The industrial landscape is rapidly changing. Connectivity and digitization are transforming operations. A robust and reliable networking solution is a must to stay ahead.

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches stand apart from regular switches. They are designed and constructed to work perfectly in any weather. This resiliency ensures optimal connectivity even in harsh climates.

Some industries possess critical infrastructure that often faces unique challenges due to uncommon conditions.

These industries include:

·       Gas & Oil

·       R&D

·       Manufacturing

·       Hydropower

·       Nuclear power plants

·       Pharma

Such industries operate in remote desert areas, maritime environments, and even mountainous regions like the Himalayas. These sectors’ geographical factors and specific requirements pose connectivity and performance challenges. To address these demands, Cisco has developed the IE series, an essential product tailored to meet reliable performance and connectivity requirements.

Cisco industrial ethernet switches cater not only to manufacturing outlets operating in typical weather conditions but also to remote offices that primarily handle record-keeping related to products, sales, staff, goods, raw materials, and other supplies. Reliable connectivity is crucial for these offices. It enables effective communication with the nearest suppliers and branch offices, tracking shipments, and seeking assistance in challenging weather conditions.

Build Trust with Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches

Establishing trust (not only among employees but also customers) is crucial for any organization. For industries in remote areas far from urban centers and human access, relying on a random rugged switch is not viable. To instill confidence and trust within the organization, it is essential to implement the best, secure, and reputable technology.

Businesses operating in desert or maritime environments can confidently rely on these switches’ reliable services and robust connectivity by deploying Cisco Industrial Switches. Choosing the appropriate model tailored to their specific business needs ensures seamless operations and fosters a sense of satisfaction and trust within the organization. This, in turn, boosts employee confidence, motivates them to perform better, and mitigates any apprehensions or negative thoughts.

Comparing Cisco IE-3200, IE-3300, and IE-3400: Unveiling the Potential

Whether for a small-scale setup or an expansive industrial network, Cisco’s IE-3200, IE-3300, and IE-3400 switches reveal their potential as formidable solutions to meet the evolving needs of industrial networking. Let’s dive deep into the IE-3000 series to know more.

1.     Cisco IE-3200

The Cisco Catalyst IE-3200 is an industrial Ethernet switch designed for harsh environments. It offers up to 20 Gigabit Ethernet ports, Power over Ethernet (PoE) options, and support for a wide range of industry protocols. It is compact and suitable for manufacturing, energy, transportation, mining, smart city, oil, and gas.

The IE3200 switch series is also an ideal and optimal choice for enterprise deployments in warehouses, distribution centers, and outdoor spaces. The Cisco Catalyst IE3200 Series is intended for various industrial applications demanding tough equipment and high-speed Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

2.     Cisco IE-3300

The Cisco IE-3300 is a mid-range industrial Ethernet switch designed for mid to large-scale deployments. It offers support for various industrial protocols and is designed to withstand critical operating conditions, which is a pain for industrial networks and environments.

The Cisco Catalyst IE3300 Rugged Series has a modular design. It offers a variety of modules to choose from. This diversity allows for the flexible expansion of up to 26 Gigabit Ethernet ports or up to 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports and two 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10G) ports.

The platform is made to resist challenging environments in oil and gas production, manufacturing, energy, transportation, mining, and smart cities. The Cisco IE3300 series can also be deployed in extended enterprise environments such as warehouses, outdoor areas, and distribution centers. IE3300 Rugged switches provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability of up to 24 ports (with expansion module). They also help easily connect and power end devices such as IP Phones, Cameras, wireless access points, and so on.

3.     Cisco IE-3400

The Cisco Catalyst IE3400 Series Switches are made for various industrial applications that call for powerful solutions. They offer cutting-edge, high-speed Gigabit Ethernet connections in a compact size. The Cisco Catalyst IE3400 Rugged Series has a modular design and provides the freedom to add as many expansion modules as needed to increase the number of Gigabit Ethernet ports to 26.

The IE3400 platform is also excellent for extended enterprise deployments in warehouses, distribution centers, and outdoor spaces. For connecting PoE-capable gadgets like IP cameras, phones, wireless access points, sensors, and more, the IE3400 series is the best choice.

These switches use the Cisco Trust anchor module and Cisco IOS XE, a new operating system with built-in security and trust. The IE3400 Rugged Series can be easily managed with powerful tools like Cisco DNA Center. Configuration and implementation become relatively effortless with a new, redesigned, end-user-friendly, attractive WEBUI.

Furthermore, it offers Fully Flexible NetFlow (FNF) for Cisco Stealth watch threat analysis and real-time visualization of network traffic patterns that help administrators quickly mitigate potential threats.

Pros:

●      Shock/vibration and surge ratings

●      Specially designed for industrial networks

●      Convection cooling and DIN-rail or 19” rack mounting

●      PoE supports up to IE3200/240W, IE3300/360W, and IE3400/480W.

●      Can be integrated with Cisco Network Assistant, Cisco DNA, and Cisco Prime LMS 4.2

●      Supports Layer 3 routing protocols.

●      Certified with ABB Industrial IT certification.

●      Supports High Availability

●      License subscription: Available in Network Essentials & Network Advantage

●      Complies with Industrial Automation Systems, Industrial Standards

●      Five-year limited hardware warranty

●      Best for harsh industrial networks

●      Operates in -40°C to +75°C temperature.

●      Fanless and convection-cooled design

●      Geographical scalability for longer-distance connectivity

●      One of the best industrial switches in the segment

Cons:

●      Expensive

●      Not ideal for the enterprise environment

Cisco IE-3200 vs IE-3300 vs IE-3400

Why Choose Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches?

Numerous industrial switches in the market claim to excel in harsh environments and meet industries’ needs. However, Cisco stands out as the optimal choice, thanks to its extensive research and development efforts, dedicated design approach, and robust hardware construction.

When it comes to industries operating in unfamiliar and challenging climates, some vital features include:

·       Timely technical support

·       Regular patch updates

·       Adherence to industry best practices for switch configuration.

In these aspects, Cisco excels. Businesses can rely on Cisco industrial ethernet switches for the durability and reliability of their products, accompanied by exceptional technical support. These remarkable characteristics and advantages make deploying and managing Cisco effortless, even in industries with critical infrastructures.

Conclusion

Buying the right network switch is a crucial decision for any business. We can make an informed choice by focusing on scalability, performance, PoE support, management options, reliability, security features, and budget considerations.

Cisco Catalyst IE 3000 series switches are essential in empowering industrial network infrastructures. With a rugged design, support for industrial protocols, PoE capabilities, advanced security features, advanced management tools, scalability, and reliability, these switches provide the foundation for efficient and resilient industrial networks. By leveraging the capabilities of the Cisco Catalyst IE 3000 Series, industries can realize a digital and secure transformation.