Intelligent Industrial Ethernet Switch with Fibre Ring Function
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Black Box Network Services
Introduction
Ethernet has been used in the controlling level of industrial applications for many years. Ethernet
is continuing to beat the field bus technologies used to date in coupling equipment controls,
sensors and actors. Process error-tolerant network components are absolutely essential because
the network availability has a direct effect on production.
It is precisely to prevent this that BLACK BOX has developed a mechanism for which a patent is
pending that enables the Ethernet network to be reconfigured within milliseconds if an error
occurs.
The switches can be configured and monitored either by SNMP or a PC-based management tool
(Device Manager). In addition to the Device Manager all statuses are displayed web based using
an integrated HTTP server.
In addition to the two 100Base-FX fibre connections for chain linking several industrial switches,
the BLACK BOX industrial switches also offer four 10/100Base-TX connections for linking such
Ethernet terminals as machine controls, network uplinks, consoles and other network
participants.
For particularly demanding uses, the industrial switches are designed in a suitably robust
construction with an integrated clamping device for direct assembly on 35 mm DIN rails. The
devices meet the requirements for IP protection class 20 and are also designed for a larger
temperature range.
The power supply of the devices is done by an external, central power supply unit. With the
second power input the device can be supplied with redundant power. All electrical ports are
either galvanic isolated or equipped with an effective over voltage protection.