GarrettCom launches managed, hardened Ethernet switches

-- Control Engineering, 10/1/2002

Fremont, CA-GarrettCom recently introduced its Magnum mP62 managed, hardened Ethernet switch to meet the growing need for network management in LAN switches and controlling applications, such as data collection at power utility substations; traffic data collection and control; and other applications in harsh and temperature-uncontrolled environments.

GarrettCom reports that network management is increasingly important as remote, hostile-environment network applications become mission critical. Unmanned power utility substations and other data gathering and management outposts require remote management functionality to control costs and maintain operations with a minimum of service calls. Remote traffic control systems are expected to run continuously, so GarrettCom adds that early detection and correction of network glitches is vital.

For high-availability network topologies with redundant fiber connections, Magnum mP62 switches have a new 'link-loss-learn' feature. Fault recovery typically means moving network traffic from the operating up-link fiber port to a back-up port, which requires the switch to reset and redirect Ethernet packets. When a fault occurrence indicating a link-loss is detected by mP62, it immediately resets its switching address table, providing fast fault recovery via immediate restoration of service on the other fiber port.

The managed mP62 is a companion product to the company's Magnum P62F Ethernet hardened switch. Magnum P62F is being deployed in a variety of applications, including rock quarries in Texas; power utility substations in the northeastern U.S.; copper mines in Chile; and traffic control systems in Florida.

'Magnum P62F is highly effective in extending Ethernet capabilities into our substations. The extreme temperature ratings and sealed units give us the reliability and performance we need, and single-mode fiber supports the distances between substations. The new managed mP62s will give us even better visibility. When we suspect trouble in a remote spot we will be able to get management information about devices attached to the network at that location without a site visit,' says Kirk Blair, a telecom engineer at Northeast Utilities (Berlin, CT).

In addition, mP62 supports all industry-standard managed edge switch functions. These include SNMP, QoS, CLI, Telnet, password security, port settings control, Spanning Tree Protocol, VLANs, BootP/DHCP, and GUI network management packages. These software modules allow mP62 to perform the same LAN management functions as enterprise LAN switches. Access to these packages ensures mP62's users that it will be fully compatible with other managed Ethernet products in their network, allowing rapid implementation and dependable operation.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com