Industries managing critical infrastructure and services require solutions that perform reliably under extreme conditions. Traditional enterprise-grade switches often fall short in these environments, leading to the development of Cisco rugged switches.
Designed with industrial-grade reliability, scalability, and security, Cisco rugged switches ensure seamless data flow, advanced security, and unmatched performance. They provide long-term solutions for industrial environments, IoT, and OT.
In this blog, we will cover the benefits and features of Cisco rugged switches, focusing on comparing the IE-2000 and IE-3200 series. We will also discuss why you should upgrade Cisco IE-2000 to IE-3200 and explore the best industrial Ethernet switches for harsh environments.
Cisco Catalyst IE-3200: The Ideal Upgrade for Industrial Networks
The Cisco Catalyst IE-3200 is a next-generation Ethernet switch designed for tough industrial environments. It is perfect for high-bandwidth applications and increased device connectivity. If you're considering an upgrade from the Cisco IE-2000 to the IE-3200, this switch provides all the features needed for modern industrial networking:
- High Performance: Up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities.
- Compact Design: Ideal for industries such as manufacturing, transportation, energy, and smart cities.
- Advanced Compatibility: Supports industry-standard protocols like CIP, PROFINET, and IEEE 1588 PTP, ensuring robust network performance and reliability.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for deployment in warehouses, distribution centers, and outdoor environments.
With its rugged design and cutting-edge features, the Cisco IE-3200 ensures fast, reliable data transmission, making it a trusted solution in diverse sectors such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and transportation.
Why Upgrade to the Cisco Catalyst IE-3200 from Cisco IE-2000?
The Cisco IE-2000 series has reached its end-of-life (EOL), meaning it no longer receives firmware updates, security patches, or hardware support. Therefore, industries must consider an industrial Ethernet switch upgrade.
As a result, the IE-2000 poses significant risks for long-term deployments. In contrast, the Cisco IE-3200 series offers a future-proof, modern solution with enhanced performance, scalability, and security features.
For industries currently relying on the IE-2000, upgrading to the Cisco IE-3200 is the right move. The IE-3200 features advanced switching capacity, higher scalability, improved security measures, and greater industrial protocol support, making it an ideal choice for industries needing reliable and durable networking solutions.
Enhanced Industrial Protocol Support for Greater Integration with Cisco rugged switches
The Cisco IE-3200 supports critical industrial communication protocols such as:
- CIP Ethernet/IP
- PROFINET
- IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP)
These protocols enable seamless integration with automation systems, precision time synchronization for real-time operations, and enhanced compatibility with advanced industrial systems. In contrast, the IE-2000 lacks comprehensive support for these modern protocols, limiting its capacity for time-sensitive and critical processes.
Performance and Scalability: Meet the Needs of Modern Industrial Networks
With up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports and a switching capacity of 128 Gbps, the Cisco IE-3200 is built to handle high data throughput, which is essential for scaling modern industrial networks.
As industries embrace IoT and smart manufacturing technologies, network demands have increased significantly, requiring higher bandwidth and device support. The Cisco IE-3200 effectively meets these demands, offering the scalability needed for growth and future-proofing network infrastructure.
Advanced Security for Mission-Critical Applications
Security is a priority for industrial networks, and the Cisco IE-3200 includes:
- MACsec-128 Encryption: For secure data transmission.
- 802.1X Authentication: For controlled device access.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs): To define and restrict network access.
Compared to the IE-2000, which offers only basic security features, the IE-3200 provides the advanced security necessary for sensitive, mission-critical applications.
Ensuring Reliability with Resilience and Redundancy
Resilience is key in environments where downtime is unacceptable. The Cisco IE-3200 features Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP) and Fast REP for network redundancy and faster failover recovery.
These protocols ensure continuous network uptime, even if a link or device fails, reducing the risk of operational disruption.
Compliance and Certification for Regulated Industries
The Cisco IE-3200 meets the latest industry standards, including certifications like IEC 62443-4-1 and 4-2 (industrial automation and control system security) and UL 121201 (hazardous location certification). These certifications make it suitable for deployment in highly regulated sectors such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, ensuring compliance with stringent requirements.
The IE-2000 lacks these certifications, making it less viable in regulated industries where compliance is critical.
Built for Harsh Climates and Industrial Environments with the Best Industrial Ethernet Switch for Harsh Environments
Designed to perform in extreme temperatures ranging from -40°C to +70°C, the Cisco IE-3200 is ready for deployment in harsh industrial settings such as oil fields, manufacturing plants, and outdoor spaces.
It is engineered to withstand short-term extreme conditions (up to +85°C for 16 hours), ensuring reliable operation regardless of environmental challenges.
Head-to-Head Technical Specifications
| Specifications | Cisco IE-2000 | Cisco IE-3200 |
| Switching Capacity | 7.6 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Ports | 4, 8, 16 Ethernet | Up to 20 Gigabit |
| MAC Address | 8,000 | 16,000 |
| Forwarding Bandwidth | 3.8 Gbps | 64 Gbps |
| VLANs | 1005 | 256 |
| Authentication Method | SSH, RADIUS, TACACS+, SCP | SSH, RADIUS, TACACS+, SCP |
| PoE | PoE Supported | PoE Supported |
| Layer 3 Routing | Yes | Yes |
| Memory | 256 MB DRAM | 2 GB DRAM |
| Flash Memory | 64 MB | 1.5 GB |
| Automation | Not Available | YANG, NETCONF, RESTCONF |
| High Availability (HA) | Not Available | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why should I upgrade from Cisco IE-2000 to IE-3200?
The IE-2000 has reached its end-of-life, which means it no longer receives updates or support. Upgrading to the IE-3200 ensures enhanced performance, scalability, and security features for modern industrial demands.
2. What industries benefit most from Cisco IE-3200 switches?
Industries like manufacturing, oil and gas, transportation, and pharmaceuticals benefit most due to the switch’s reliability in harsh environments and compliance with industry standards.
3. How does the Cisco IE-3200 handle extreme conditions?
The IE-3200 operates in temperatures from -40°C to +70°C, with short-term capability of up to +85°C for 16 hours. Its robust design ensures performance in harsh industrial settings.
Conclusion
As the Cisco IE-2000 series reaches its end-of-life, relying on these switches presents increased risks due to a lack of updates, support, and future compatibility.
The Cisco IE-3200 offers a superior upgrade with enhanced security, improved scalability, modern protocol support, and robust performance. Its rugged build and ability to operate in harsh environments make it the ideal solution for manufacturing, energy, and transportation industries.
Ready to future-proof your industrial network? Contact us today to explore the Cisco IE-3200 and get expert advice on seamless upgrades.
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