Understanding Cisco IE Industrial Ethernet Switches and Comparison
Introduction
Industrial Ethernet (IE) switches have become an essential part of the modern industrial network. They enable seamless communication and data transfer across various industrial systems, devices, and applications. Cisco, a leader in networking technologies, offers a broad range of IE switches designed for diverse industrial environments. These switches are highly reliable, scalable, and feature rich, making them ideal for industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and other mission-critical applications
The Cisco IE Series includes models that cater to different needs, ranging from basic Layer 2 networking to full Layer 3 routing capabilities. This article will provide an in-depth look at the features, capabilities, and differences between various Cisco IE switches to help you make an informed decision.
Key Features of Cisco IE Switches
Cisco IE switches are designed with several key features that make them ideal for industrial applications:
1. Layer 2 and Layer 3 Support: Depending on the model, Cisco IE switches offer either Layer 2 (data link layer) or Layer 3 (network layer) support. Layer 2 switches manage traffic within the same network segment, while Layer 3 switches allow routing between different network segments, making them suitable for larger or more complex networks.
2. Industrial Protocols Support: Cisco IE switches are equipped with support for key industrial protocols such as Precision Time Protocol (PTP), High Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR), Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP), and Distributed Link Redundancy (DLR). These protocols are essential for real-time communication and ensuring network reliability in industrial environments.
3. Power over Ethernet (PoE): Cisco IE switches offer PoE and PoE+ support, providing power to connected devices such as sensors, cameras, and access points over the same Ethernet cable used for data transmission. Some models also support 4PPoE, allowing higher power output for demanding devices.
4. Security Features: Advanced security features such as MACSec encryption and TrustSec Security Group Tags (SGTs) are included in higher-end models, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data across the network.
5. Robustness and Durability: Cisco IE switches are built to withstand the demanding conditions of industrial environments. They are often designed to meet IP67 standards, making them resistant to dust, moisture, and harsh temperatures.
6. Modularity: Some models offer modular options, providing greater flexibility to customize the switch with additional ports and capabilities as the network grows.
7. High Availability and Redundancy: Features such as stacking, redundant power supplies, and high availability protocols ensure that the network remains operational even in the event of hardware failure.
8. Networking Protocols: In addition to industrial protocols, Cisco IE switches support traditional networking protocols such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), VLAN support, and IP routing for integrating with larger corporate networks.
Cisco IE Switch Models: Comparison and Features
Cisco offers several models within the IE series to meet varying industrial network requirements. These models differ based on their Layer support, number of uplinks, PoE capabilities, and more. Below is a detailed comparison of the features across different Cisco IE switch models.
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Cisco IE-310x | Cisco IE-3200 | Cisco IE-3300/3400 | Cisco IE-4000 | Cisco IE-4010 | Cisco IE-5000 | Cisco IE-9300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Uplinks | 2 GE Combo | 2 GE SFP | 2 GE / 10G SFP* | 2 GE / 10G SFP* | 4 GE Combo | 4 GE Combo | 4 GE SFP |
| Downlink Ports | Up to 18 GE | 8 GE | Up to 24 GE | Up to 24 GE | Up to 16 GE | Up to 16 GE | 24 GE |
| IPv4 Indirect Routes | 3500 | 8 | 8 | 3000 | 1250 | 8000 | 1250 |
| PoE/PoE+ Ports | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4PPoE (60W/90W) | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Maximum MAC Addresses | 8,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 |
| Maximum VLANs | 256 | 256 | 256 | 256 | 1005 | 1005 | 1005 |
Protocol Support Comparison
| Protocol | IE1000 | IE3100 | IE3200 | IE3300 | IE3300-10G | IE3400 / IE3400H | IE4000 | IE4010 | IE5000 | IE9300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PTP | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Layer 2 NAT | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PRP | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HSR | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MRP | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLR | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| IOS / IOS-XE | No | IOS-XE | IOS-XE | IOS-XE | IOS-XE | IOS-XE | IOS | IOS | IOS | IOS-XE |
Choosing the Right Cisco IE Switch for Your Needs
When selecting the right Cisco IE switch, several factors need to be considered. Below, we provide guidance on which Cisco IE model might be best suited to different industrial network environments:
Cisco IE-310x Series
• Best for: Smaller, less complex industrial networks where Layer 2 functionality is sufficient.
• Use Case: Suitable for basic industrial automation, surveillance systems, and simpler applications with limited routing or advanced protocol needs.
• Key Features: Basic PoE support, Layer 2 functionality, and lower port count make it ideal for smaller environments.
Cisco IE-3200 Series
• Best for: Small to medium-sized networks where some advanced industrial protocol support (like Layer 2 NAT) is needed.
• Use Case: Ideal for applications that require basic industrial protocols like PRP and MRP, but don’t need full Layer 3 functionality.
• Key Features: Support for more advanced industrial protocols and enhanced PoE functionality.
Cisco IE-3300/3400 Series
• Best for: Medium to large networks that require Layer 3 routing capabilities and advanced industrial protocol support.
• Use Case: Suitable for mission-critical industrial applications that need high availability, security, and full protocol support (e.g., MRP, PRP, HSR).
• Key Features: Full Layer 3 support, advanced security (MACSec), and industrial protocols for redundancy and real-time communications.
Cisco IE-4000 Series
• Best for: Larger, complex networks with higher demands for routing, protocol redundancy, and flexibility.
• Use Case: Ideal for large-scale industrial networks that need to support thousands of devices and require robust security, scalability, and redundancy.
• Key Features: Full Layer 3 IP Services, extensive PoE and PoE+ support, and high scalability with features like 10G uplinks.
Cisco IE-4010 Series
• Best for: High-performance industrial environments that need full Layer 3 services with a focus on high-density port configurations.
• Use Case: Suitable for data centers, smart cities, and large industrial automation networks that need high-speed uplinks, advanced security, and protocol redundancy.
• Key Features: 10G uplinks, advanced security, and full Layer 3 services.
Cisco IE-5000 Series
• Best for: Very high-performance networks that require robust Layer 3 capabilities with multiple uplinks, redundancy, and protocol support.
• Use Case: Large industrial networks, data centers, and factory automation systems where uptime and performance are critical.
• Key Features: IP Services (Full Layer 3), high uplink/downlink ports, large MAC address table support.
Cisco IE-9300 Series
• Best for: Large-scale industrial applications requiring extremely high performance and advanced capabilities for network security, scalability, and redundancy.
• Use Case: Suitable for large, mission-critical networks with the need for advanced security, routing, and industrial protocol support.
• Key Features: Full Layer 3 functionality, high availability, large port density, and support for a wide range of industrial protocols.
