New terminal server for substations

GarrettCom Ethernet terminal server is designed for substation applications and serial instruments. It includes a built-in firewall.

June 15, 2011

GarrettCom Inc. is shipping its new Magnum 10ETS Ethernet Terminal Server targeting large substation installations with large numbers of serial instruments. The Magnum 10ETS provides up to 8 Ethernet ports or up to 32 serial ports for protection and SCADA devices and IRIG-B time coding. Like other members of the next-generation Magnum “10” Series, the 10ETS is an IEC 61850-compatible networking device with the hardening required for substation applications and the only dual hot-swappable power supply in the industry. The company said in the announcement that is is the only terminal server with a built-in firewall. 

“Although the Smart Grid initiative has increased the incentive to upgrade to IP-based systems, many power utilities have serviceable serial instruments that will be in operation for many years to come,” said Frank Madren, GarrettCom president. “The Magnum 10ETS Terminal Server provides the next generation of reliability, security and port configurability to enable large operations to be integrated into Smart Grid systems and to meet security requirements mandated by NERC/CIP,” he said.

By providing the same combination of high port density with flexible configurability and hot-swap power as the 10KT Managed Ethernet Switch, the 10ETS provides the connectivity necessary in today’s more complex substations and reduces the potential points of failure in a substation communications system.

Features

Magnum 10ETS Terminal Servers provides the bandwidth, timing, precision and hardening required for optimization of Smart Grid initiatives in substation environments today, GarrettCom said.

High port count—up to 36 ports with combinations of serial and Ethernet ports

The Magnum 10ETS Terminal Server can support up to 36 ports. Ports can be configured in varying combinations with either a maximum of 8 10/100 copper or fiber Ethernet ports with multiple connector options (and up to 28 serial ports), or a maximum of 32 serial ports, with either DB-9 or RJ-45 connectors (and 4 Ethernet ports). Routing is available on all Ethernet ports, providing support for complex networks.

First dual hot-swappable power supplies in a 1U rack-mount package

With backup power supply and hot swappable replacements, the Magnum 10ETS, like the 10KT, offers the highest level of reliability available in substation-hardened networks today, the company said. Power supply options include multiple dc voltage choices, as well as universal ac.

Configurable IRIG-B time code standard support

As power utility networks grow more complex, the ability to synchronize geographically separated instruments throughout a power delivery system grows more critical. IRIG-B is the most prevalent version of the time code standards developed by Inter-Range Instrumentation Group, the standards body of the Range Commanders Council, and is used in protection systems in substations.

Magnum MNS-DX Network Management Software with firewall protection

The 10ETS Terminal Server reportedly uses field-proven Magnum MNS-DX Network Management Software that contains the robust security features found in Magnum Ethernet switches and routers, as well as Modbus support for serial products. The MNS-DX firewall protection ensures that data from serial devices will be subjected to the same security management rules as data coming from the rest of the network, making it easier to achieve compliance with the more stringent NERC/CIP requirements anticipated in the future. Other features that complement the next-generation capabilities of these terminal servers include VLANs, SSL/SSH, Radius, TACACS+, and Ethernet routing.

68150 Compliant

The 10ETS is reportedly easy to integrate into even the harshest substation environments, with EMI, temperature and shock ratings that meet stringent IEC 68150-3 standards.

www.garrettcom.com

– Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com

www.controleng.com/networks