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Lean Managed Switches – Practical Tip – Control Cabinet Manufacturing

 13 October 2020
Lean Managed Switches – Easy Network Diagnostics in the Control Cabinet

The new lean managed switches: for greater network availability and reliability.

In the age of Industry 4.0, Ethernet-based bus systems offer a powerful communication infrastructure in control cabinet manufacturing for robust, reliable installation of networks. Ethernet switches have proven especially efficient – powerful interfaces that receive data in a packet, process it and pass it on to multiple devices in a local area network.

WAGO’s portfolio of switches offers a variety of products to help control cabinet manufacturers cope with the increase in networking in the industrial and building sectors. All new: lean managed switches, whose selling points include easy DIN-rail installation and intuitive configuration – no special IT skills required. These switches increase the reliability and availability of the application and offer a range of functions, particularly for network diagnostics.

The Right Type of Switch for Every Control Cabinet

WAGO’s selection of switches provides various unmanaged and managed switch types and designs for your application.

General Benefits

  • Powering PoE terminal devices through PoE+
  • Isolated communication with fiber optic cables up to 80 km
  • 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s versions
  • Broad temperature range
  • Easy DIN-rail mounting in control cabinets
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Unmanaged Switches

Unmanaged switches are often used to connect small independent networks consisting of only a few components. They can easily be coupled to the network without additional IT expertise (a plug-and-play model). LEDs allow local diagnostics in the control cabinet. WAGO’s unmanaged switches withstand extreme external conditions (temperatures, vibrations, impacts), contributing to a cost-effective, reliable network.

Managed Switches

The efficiency advantages of managed switches are especially apparent when demands increase on network management, availability, reliability and diagnostics in the automation system. WAGO’s managed switches can be securely integrated into many systems via application-specific protocols. For example, certificate-based authentication can be used to restrict network access to selected subscribers. Redundancy protocols also allow error-free communication even when there are defective cables or decentralized power outages in the network, increasing availability. It is also possible to limit bandwidths and, for instance, detect incorrectly mated cables – a function that makes the network more robust.

Lean Managed Switches: Intuitive and Economical

If you are using a WAGO unmanaged switch, you can easily switch to a lean managed switch with no risk. The latter requires no configuration and works like an unmanaged switch, but also offers intuitive diagnostics via Web-Based Management, which can be accessed by IP address. This allows you quickly locate a loose connection in the network, for example. The clearly organized diagnostic pages also make it easy for equipment operators and service technicians to locate faults in the network.

In addition, a range of configurable features can increase network security, robustness and availability! That makes this family of switches ideal for the essential functions of modern mechanical engineering.

Fast Data Transmission

The Top Benefits of the New Lean Managed Switches from WAGO

  • Easy, intuitive installation!
    WAGO’s new lean managed switches allow users to quickly and easily commission ETHERNET installations. Network installation is easy, even without trained IT staff. Straightforward integration into existing networks

  • Fast, clearly organized error diagnostics!
    Furthermore, a user-friendly “topology map” and a diagnostic dashboard display all the information needed to expedite commissioning or troubleshooting. This decreases downtimes and increases availability! Faulty connections are shown in red; download statistics help locate unavailable elements in no time.

  • Robust structure!
     Intuitive, robust mounting on a DIN-rail. The operating concepts, as well as the hardware, adapt perfectly to any automation and building technology requirements. Extended temperature range: −40 °C to +60 °C A redundant power supply ensures even more uptime. All housings are provided with a 2D barcode containing a Link to an operating manual and the datasheet. This Link also provides one-click access to support services.

  • Secure network!
    Access to the network is optional and only possible for authenticated subscribers. Slim firewall: Selected data packets are blocked (based on MAC addresses or IP addresses) The separation of individual network segments via VLAN in compliance with IEEE 802.1Q provides additional security.

Here’s How Installation in a Control Cabinet Works

1. Install lean managed switch

Mount lean managed switch on a DIN-rail; connect switch to communication subscribers.

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2. Registering the subscribers

Registering network subscribers: Devices can be registered in the switch automatically via LLDP (neighborhood detection) or manually via the MAC address. As soon as a physical connection is established at a port, network devices can be assigned to a physical port by simply clicking the “Teach-in” button.

3. The topology map

The network devices are displayed in the clearly organized “topology map.” When everything’s green, it’s all ready to go!

4. The diagnostic pages

The diagnostic pages of the lean managed switches now allow rapid system troubleshooting. The statuses of the individual connections are clearly indicated – green, yellow and red, like traffic lights.

5. The detailed status

Hovering over a connection with the mouse displays a detailed status overview of the individual connections. In a new window, the user can then see the bandwidth, the load and any transmission errors.

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