Description

The Cisco IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E is part of Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet (IE) 4000 Series, designed to provide secure, reliable, and high-performance networking in demanding industrial environments. This switch is optimized for a variety of applications in industrial automation, IoT (Internet of Things), smart cities, energy, and transportation. It’s built to withstand harsh environments while offering the flexibility of both fiber and copper connectivity, as well as Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities.

1. General Features and Overview:

• Model: Cisco IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E

• Series: Cisco IE 4000 Series Industrial Ethernet Switch

• Type: Managed Ethernet switch designed for rugged industrial environments, offering a combination of Gigabit Ethernet ports, PoE ports, and fiber-optic connectivity for versatile, high-performance networking.

• Target Applications: Perfect for applications requiring reliable connectivity, such as industrial automation, IoT devices, security systems, and smart grid infrastructure.

2. Ports and Connectivity:

• 4 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000 Mbps): These copper Ethernet ports allow for high-speed connectivity for local devices such as sensors, PLCs, and industrial control systems.

• 8 x Gigabit PoE+ Ports (Power over Ethernet):

  • The PoE+ ports (IEEE 802.3at) deliver data and power over a single cable to PoE-enabled devices, such as IP cameras, wireless access points, phones, and sensors.

  • PoE+ can provide up to 25.5W per port, supporting higher power requirements for devices that need more power.

• 4 x Gigabit SFP Ports (Small Form-factor Pluggable): These fiber-optic ports enable high-speed, long-distance connections. They are modular, meaning the type of SFP transceiver (e.g., for short or long-range fiber) can be chosen based on specific deployment needs.

3. Performance:

• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching:

  • Layer 2: Provides standard Ethernet switching capabilities, such as VLAN support and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), essential for basic network traffic management.

  • Layer 3: Supports routing capabilities, such as static routing and RIP (Routing Information Protocol), enabling more complex network configurations, such as inter-VLAN routing and direct communication between multiple networks.

• Forwarding Capacity: Designed for high-speed forwarding, the IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E is optimized for industrial environments where low-latency communication is crucial, such as in real-time automation systems.

4. Redundancy and Reliability:

• Industrial-Grade Durability: The IE-4000 series is built to handle extreme environmental conditions, including wide temperature ranges (typically -40°C to +70°C), vibrations, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) common in factory floors, outdoor, and industrial locations.

• Redundancy Features:

  • Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP): Provides quick recovery from network failures by allowing the network to automatically reconfigure itself if a link or device goes down.

  • Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP): Ensures fast convergence in the network by detecting and preventing loops, which helps to minimize network downtime.

  • Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP): Ensures high availability by automatically failing over to a backup router in case of a failure of the primary router.

5. Security:

• Advanced Security Features:

  • 802.1X Authentication: Allows only authorized devices to access the network by requiring authentication before devices can communicate over the Ethernet.

  • Port Security: Restricts the number of MAC addresses allowed per port, preventing unauthorized devices from accessing the network.

  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Helps filter network traffic based on IP addresses and other criteria, adding an additional layer of network security.

  • DHCP Snooping: Prevents unauthorized DHCP servers from distributing incorrect IP addresses to devices on the network.

  • IPsec: Ensures secure communication between remote locations or devices, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.

  • Secure Boot: Ensures the switch boots only authentic and trusted software to prevent malicious code from running on the device.

6. Management and Monitoring:

• CLI (Command-Line Interface): Provides detailed configuration and management options for advanced users, offering complete control over network settings and troubleshooting.

• Web-Based GUI: A user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) simplifies configuration and monitoring, providing an easy-to-use alternative for less technical users.

• SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): Enables remote monitoring and integration with network management systems (NMS) to provide ongoing performance metrics and network status updates.

• Cisco DNA Integration: Integrates with Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture (DNA), allowing for automated network management, analytics, and optimization.

7. Power over Ethernet (PoE):

• PoE+ Support: The 8 PoE+ ports support IEEE 802.3at standard, providing up to 25.5W per port for powering devices that require more power, such as cameras, wireless APs, and digital signage. This makes the IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E ideal for network infrastructures where devices are scattered and power lines are difficult to install.

• PoE Benefits: By combining both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, PoE simplifies network installation, reduces the need for additional electrical outlets, and lowers overall deployment costs.

8. Safety and Compliance:

• Certifications: The IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E complies with various industrial and regulatory standards, ensuring that it meets safety and electromagnetic compatibility requirements:

  • UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification for safety.

  • CE and FCC compliance for electromagnetic compatibility.

  • RoHS compliance to meet environmental standards.

• Industry Standards: Compliant with IEEE networking standards for Ethernet and industrial networks, ensuring interoperability with other devices.

9. Use Cases:

• Industrial Automation: Ideal for connecting PLCs, SCADA systems, and other industrial control devices, providing reliable, real-time communication between devices.

• Smart Manufacturing: Enables connectivity in smart factories, connecting machines, sensors, and robots while ensuring low-latency communication and high availability.

• Energy and Utilities: Perfect for use in smart grids, remote substations, and other energy infrastructure where continuous network connectivity is vital.

• Transportation Systems: Can be deployed in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), providing connectivity for traffic management, railway signaling, and other transportation infrastructure.

• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Supports IoT networks that require real-time data transfer, such as sensors and meters in manufacturing, energy, and other industrial applications.

10. Power Supply:

• Redundant Power Supply: To ensure maximum uptime, the switch supports redundant power supplies. In case one power source fails, the other takes over seamlessly, maintaining network connectivity.

11. Form Factor:

• Rack-Mountable: The IE-4000-4GS8GP4G-E is designed for 19-inch rack mounting, making it suitable for installation in control rooms, data centers, or industrial network cabinets.