Serial to Ethernet: Device routers for harsh applications

By Control Engineering Staff November 7, 2006
Magnum DX 40 and DX 800 serial device routers from GarrettCom Inc. are said to offer resiliency and security in networking applications. They are intended for the power industry and harsh industrial environments.

Fremont, CA —Line of Serial-IP converters from GarrettCom Inc . is said to extend security and network management to distributed serial devices in power substation and other harsh industrial environments. Magnum DX line of serial device routers provides intelligent serial-to-IP/Ethernet protocol services that integrate devices using serial data protocols for SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and remote device console access.

Router provides what the company calls a “dynamic serial edge” for hardened industrial networks that combines the features of a serial-IP device server, Ethernet switch, IP router, and IP firewall in a compact, substation-hardened product with a variety of field mounting and power supply options. Model DX800 supports four serial interfaces and four Ethernet ports, including two fiber ports. Model DX40 provides two serial ports and two Ethernet ports, one or both of which may be fiber.

The line is said to provide network resiliency via secure, dual-connection fiber-optic Ethernet ports and software features such as RSTP and dynamic routing. The Series extends cyber security protection for serial interfaces to the edge of the network via serial port SSL, IP firewall, and serial VLAN capability.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jeanine Katzel , senior editor