Description

The Cisco IE-4000-4TC4G-E is another model within Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet (IE) 4000 Series, designed to provide robust, high-performance networking for industrial environments where reliability and flexibility are crucial. Like other IE-4000 models, it’s built for use in harsh conditions and applications such as industrial automation, energy, transportation, and IoT (Internet of Things) deployments.

1. General Features and Overview:

• Model: Cisco IE-4000-4TC4G-E

• Series: Cisco IE 4000 Series Industrial Ethernet Switches

• Type: Managed industrial Ethernet switch designed for rugged environments.

• Key Selling Point: Offers a combination of Gigabit Ethernet ports and SFP fiber-optic ports, optimized for performance, flexibility, and reliability in demanding use cases.

2. Ports and Connectivity:

• 4 x Gigabit Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000 Mbps): High-speed copper Ethernet ports for connecting local devices that require Ethernet communication in real-time industrial applications.

• 4 x Gigabit SFP Ports (Small Form-factor Pluggable): Provides high-speed fiber-optic uplink connectivity for long-distance, high-bandwidth connections. The modular SFP ports allow flexibility in selecting the right fiber modules (depending on distance and bandwidth needs).

3. Performance:

• Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switching: Supports both Layer 2 (Data Link) and Layer 3 (Network) switching. This provides the ability to perform basic switching as well as advanced routing functions for more complex networking requirements.

• High-Performance: With a high forwarding rate and efficient data processing, this model is built to handle industrial network traffic without latency, making it suitable for time-sensitive applications such as automated manufacturing or transportation systems.

4. Redundancy and Reliability:

• Industrial-Grade Durability: Designed to endure harsh industrial environments where equipment is subjected to extreme temperatures, vibrations, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). It has a wide operating temperature range typically between -40°C to +70°C (-40°F to +158°F), allowing it to be deployed in challenging outdoor or factory environments.

• Redundancy Features: The switch is equipped with multiple redundancy features to ensure continuous network uptime, including:

  • Ethernet Ring Protection (ERP) for resilient network topologies that recover quickly from network failures.

  • Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) ensures rapid recovery from topology changes.

  • Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) provides fault tolerance for routing, ensuring automatic failover if one router goes down.

5. Security:

• Advanced Security Features:

  • 802.1X Authentication: Ensures that only authorized devices can access the network.

  • Port Security: Allows you to limit access to specific devices, providing additional security at the port level.

  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Defines rules for filtering traffic based on IP addresses and other criteria, enhancing the security of the network.

  • DHCP Snooping: Protects against rogue DHCP servers that could disrupt network operation.

  • Secure Boot: Ensures that the firmware is verified at boot time to prevent unauthorized firmware from being loaded onto the switch.

  • IPsec Encryption: For securing communication between remote devices and ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of transmitted data.

6. Management and Monitoring:

• CLI (Command Line Interface): Offers advanced control and configuration options for network administrators. The CLI can be used to make detailed changes to the configuration and troubleshoot issues.

• Web-Based GUI: Provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring and managing the switch. The web GUI is designed for users who may not be as familiar with CLI but still need to manage and monitor the device.

• SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol): This allows the switch to be integrated with network monitoring and management platforms, enabling administrators to keep track of performance and troubleshoot problems proactively.

• Cisco DNA (Digital Network Architecture): Integration with Cisco’s advanced networking and automation solutions for real-time monitoring, diagnostics, and network optimization.

7. Power over Ethernet (PoE):

• Does Not Support PoE: The IE-4000-4TC4G-E does not offer Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, meaning it does not provide power through the Ethernet cables for devices like IP cameras or phones. If PoE is a requirement, other models in the IE-4000 series would be better suited.

8. Safety and Compliance:

• Certifications: Meets various safety and regulatory standards to ensure reliable operation in industrial environments, such as:

  • UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification for safety.

  • CE and FCC compliance for electromagnetic compatibility and safety.

• Industry Standard Compliance: Complies with IEEE standards for Ethernet and networking protocols, ensuring compatibility with other industrial networking devices.

9. Use Cases:

• Industrial Automation: Perfect for connecting devices like Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), I/O modules, and industrial computers, facilitating communication in automated systems.

• Manufacturing: Ideal for connecting and managing sensors, actuators, machines, and other devices in smart manufacturing systems, allowing for real-time data exchange.

• Transportation: Can be used in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for managing traffic signals, cameras, and other devices across transport networks.

• Energy and Utilities: Suitable for use in energy grid management, smart grids, and utility infrastructure for continuous, reliable communication.

• Industrial IoT (IIoT): Helps in connecting and managing industrial IoT devices like sensors, smart meters, and other smart devices for better monitoring and control.

10. Power Supply:

• Redundant Power Supply Option: For enhanced reliability and continuous operation, the IE-4000-4TC4G-E can support redundant power supplies, which help to maintain uptime even if one power source fails.

11. Form Factor:

• Rack-Mountable: The IE-4000-4TC4G-E is designed to be mounted in a standard 19-inch rack, making it suitable for use in control rooms, data centers, or other environments where multiple network devices are installed.