IFS Introduces EtherNavT Industrial Hardened Managed Ethernet Switch Series

Jan. 7, 2005
USA-made switches are for hig-demand IP-based transmissions

International Fiber Systems, a part of GE Security, a leading manufacturer of fiber optic transmission equipment, has announced the introduction of its EtherNavT D7600 Series of managed layer 2 Ethernet switches. A managed Ethernet switch is a device that segments Ethernet network traffic to enhance performance and for better bandwidth allocation. It has become an essential piece of equipment when local area networks (LAN) are handling multiple devices such as cameras and DVRs. A managed switch allows "virtual local area networks" or (VLANS) to be created that allows networks to be created using software rather than hardware. The IFS EtherNavT line will consist of 12 models that have 9 individual ports that can be configured with a range from strictly electrical ports to various combinations of electrical, multi mode fiber or single mode fiber ports. An interesting feature of the EtherNavT line is the inclusion a Gigabit electrical or optical port in some models. As more and more devices are being integrated on to these Ethernet networks, bandwidth can become an issue and by utilizing a Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps) provides a significant increase in bandwidth over older Fast Ethernet. This allows devices utilizing EtherNavT switches to be easily integrated into larger networks. IFS is one of the first manufacturers to utilize a Gigabit Ethernet transmission capability in its initial managed switch product line introduction. The EtherNavT Series also features Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (IEE 802.1w) for quick data recovery.

The EtherNavT Managed Ethernet Switch has several mechanisms to monitor, configure, and manage the VLAN it is tasked to manage. A console interface using a standard RS-232 interface allows for local network control from a standard PC. Alternatively, a web-based graphical user interface or GUI will allow for remote configuration control from anywhere on an Ethernet based network.

For higher level system management, the EtherNavT line supports SNMP or Simple Network Management Protocol Version 2C and is RFC1213 compliant. The benefit of SNMP is that it allows for a standards based network element management system to be utilized for status monitoring and management of their network.

The EtherNavT Managed Ethernet Switch was designed from the ground up to be mechanically and environmentally hardened for use in unconditioned environments. It has passed the rigorous tests and meets the CALTRANS and NEMA test standards. Many of the current competitive models available are not designed for more demanding outdoor and factory installations. The IFS EtherNavT Series can be configured with a redundant power supply for greater reliability and is one of the only managed switch available with that feature.

The IFS EtherNavT D7600 Series is designed for use in today's modern Intelligent Transportation Systems and Industrial Control applications where monitoring and control are taking place in centralized locations." Said David Sinise, ITS Sales Manager. "These applications are extremely sensitive to variable delays and network congestion, which are unavoidable on a shared Ethernet network. By configuring the devices in a VLAN, sufficient bandwidth can be allocated for each, thereby ensuring effective management of the network devices," continued Sinise.

All models of the EtherNavT Series are FCC and CE compliant and have an operating temperature range of between - 40 degrees C to + 74 degrees C.