Siemens: Ethernet switches permit flexible communication

• Cost-effective entry-level devices with wide range of functions
• Ethernet switches permit communication via Profinet or EtherNet/IP
• Suitable for flexible use in manufacturing industry, process industry such
as oil & gas, logistics, building management systems, and transportation

July 20, 2015 + + + Siemens is expanding its range of managed Industrial Ethernet switches with a new product line. The cost-effective Layer 2 Scalance XB-200 switches provide high data rates up to 100 Mbps and a multitude of functions. They support, for example, both the Profinet standard and the EtherNet/IP standard. Users can choose between both standards using a switchover function. As a result, the devices can be used for real-time communication in a variety of automation environments. The space-saving switches provide comprehensive functions for increasing safety and for configuration, diagnostics, and management of networks. Typical applications include machine networking in plants of the manufacturing industry and of the process industry such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. In addition, the switches can be used in logistics, building technology, and transportation.

The compact switches support VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) and are also certified for use in hazardous areas (IECEx/ATEX Zone 2/UL HazLoc). Security functions such as multicast blocking, loop detection and access control via Radius Server allow them to be integrated into security concepts for the protection of networks. Comprehensive SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) functions such as SNMP V3 allow the monitoring of large networks with monitoring tools such as Sinema Server.

The four device versions in a plastic enclosure with widths of 40 mm, 80 mm, or 120 mm save space in the control cabinet. With up to 16 electrical and three optical connections (SC, ST/SC, and SC LD), the devices offer great flexibility in choosing the right switch and can even cover distances up to 26 km in single mode. A new slide on the enclosure simplifies unlocking and allows easy manual installation of switches on the DIN rail.

Network communication is not interrupted even during a power failure due to the redundant power supply with two 3-pin connectors. The console port allows users to connect to a terminal for configuration, diagnostics, and management of the network using a CLI (command line interface). Alternatively, these settings can be made via the web interface of the Scalance XB-200.

A five-year warranty applies to the new Scalance XB-200, as for all Scalance products with delivery date January 1, 2015 or later.

Further information is available at www.siemens.com/x-200

Source: Dr. David Petry, Siemens AG,
www.siemens.com