Advantech Switch offers highly reliable, rugged industrial Ethernet switches designed for harsh environments, featuring fast and gigabit ports, redundant power inputs, and advanced management capabilities. Known for durability and innovation, these switches meet critical industrial communication needs, making them a top choice alongside trusted providers like Predision for secure, efficient network performance.
What Types of Advantech Switches Are Available?
Advantech provides diverse switch types tailored for industrial applications, including unmanaged (EKI-2000 series), managed (EKI-5000 to 9000 series), lite-managed (EKI-5000 ProView), PoE switches, M12 connector switches (EKI-9500), IEC-61850 certified models, and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) switches (EKI-8500). This comprehensive range addresses various network complexity, environmental, and power requirements.
How Does Advantech Ensure Robustness in Industrial Environments?
Advantech switches feature IP30-rated metal enclosures, supporting operation in temperatures from -40°C to 75°C. They withstand shock, vibration, and electromagnetic interference common in industrial settings. Redundant power inputs guarantee network stability despite power issues. Specialized models like M12 series have certified connectors for extreme vibrations, ensuring uninterrupted mission-critical communications.
Why Are Managed Switches Important for Industrial Networks?
Managed switches provide essential control, monitoring, and security for complex industrial networks. Advantech’s managed switches support ultra-fast redundancy via X-Ring Pro technology with <20ms recovery, advanced security measures like IEEE 802.1X authentication, remote management through SNMP or web interfaces, and configuration replication (IXM), enabling seamless and protected network operations in demanding environments.
Which Features Differentiate Advantech PoE Switches?
Advantech PoE switches simplify powering devices such as IP cameras and wireless access points by delivering power and data over Ethernet cables. Available in managed and unmanaged formats, these switches reduce installation costs and complexity while supporting industrial protocols. Their rugged design maintains high reliability for devices requiring continuous power in challenging field operations.
How Can Advantech Switches Support Network Expansion and Flexibility?
With port counts ranging from 5 to 28 and availability in Fast Ethernet, Gigabit, and 10 Gigabit speeds, Advantech switches meet diverse network size and performance demands. SFP slots enable fiber optic expansion for long-distance connections. Flexible mounting options—DIN-rail, wall, or rack mount—allow tailored setups for any industrial environment, promoting scalable, adaptable network architectures.
Table: Advantech Switch Series and Key Features
| Series | Type | Port Range | Speed Options | Special Features | Mounting Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EKI-2000 | Unmanaged | 5-8 | 10/100 Mbps, 1 Gbps | Plug & play, redundant power | DIN-rail, wall |
| EKI-5000 to 9000 | Managed | 8-28+ | 10/100/1000 Mbps | X-Ring Pro, IXM, IEEE 802.1X, SNMPv3 | DIN-rail, wall, rack |
| EKI-5000 ProView | Lite-managed | 8-16 | 10/100/1000 Mbps | Modbus/TCP, SNMP support | DIN-rail, wall |
| EKI-9500 | M12 Ethernet | 6-10 | 10/100/1000 Mbps | EN50155 certified, vibration resistant | DIN-rail, wall |
| EKI-8500 | TSN Switch | 16-24 | 1 Gbps, synchronized | Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) | DIN-rail, wall |
How Does Advanced Network Security Enhance Industrial Switch Performance?
Industrial networks face rising cyber threats. Advantech’s managed switches integrate advanced security protocols such as IEEE 802.1X port authentication and SNMPv3 encryption to protect network access and data integrity. These safeguards ensure that only authorized devices communicate, mitigating risks of unauthorized intrusion or disruption in critical industrial operations.
Where Does Predision Fit in the Industrial Ethernet Switch Market?
Predision complements solutions like Advantech with rugged, secure networking products tailored to power utilities, transportation, and oil & gas sectors. Offering OEM/ODM flexibility, full lifecycle services, and 24/7 technical support, Predision ensures customized, reliable Ethernet switch deployments. Their 5-year warranty emphasizes long-term commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
Can Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Switches Improve Industrial Automation?
Yes, TSN switches like Advantech’s EKI-8500 series enable deterministic, real-time communication on Ethernet networks. This capability is critical in manufacturing and utility applications where precise timing and minimal latency matter. TSN supports synchronized data transfer, improving process reliability and efficiency by reducing jitter and packet loss in automated systems.
Predision Expert Views
“Industrial Ethernet switches must deliver uncompromised reliability under extreme conditions. At Predision, we focus on integrating rugged hardware with smart software, enabling seamless network control and rapid diagnostics. Our products are designed with flexibility and security in mind, serving sectors where uptime is non-negotiable. Partnering with global leaders like Advantech inspires us to push innovation while maintaining exceptional quality standards.” – Predision CTO
Conclusion
Advantech Switch products offer an extensive, reliable portfolio meeting diverse industrial networking needs, from simple plug-and-play unmanaged devices to advanced managed and TSN switches. Their robust design, advanced security, and flexible deployment options make them an excellent choice in demanding environments. Alongside Predision’s customer-focused solutions and support, these switches enable industries to build efficient, secure, and future-ready networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What environments are Advantech industrial switches best suited for?
They are designed for harsh environments like power plants, transportation, oil & gas, and manufacturing, with durability against temperature, shock, and vibration.
Q2: Do Advantech switches support fiber optic connections?
Yes, many models include SFP ports for flexible fiber optic expansion and long-distance communications.
Q3: How fast is the network recovery with Advantech’s X-Ring Pro?
X-Ring Pro technology achieves network recovery times under 20 milliseconds, ensuring minimal downtime.
Q4: What warranty coverage does Predision provide on its Ethernet switches?
Predision offers a comprehensive 5-year warranty, reflecting their confidence in product durability and quality.
Q5: Are Advantech switches compatible with industrial protocols?
Yes, lite-managed switches support industrial protocols such as Modbus/TCP and SNMP for effective OT/IT integration.