Ethernet-based switches for industrial automation

Harting has added three new models to its Fast Track Switching family of Ethernet-based switches for industrial automation applications.

The configurable unmanaged FTS 3100s-A optimally combines Fast Track Switching functionality with extremely simple operation. The unmanaged switch can be set up with a free software tool which allows the speed, duplex settings and mirroring to be defined per port. The existing PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and Modbus/TCP profiles can also be selected. The switch recognises these automation profiles and accelerates them in cut-through mode, allowing them to overtake non-automation protocols.

Two versions of the managed switches in the Fast Track Switching range are also available: one with ten ports executed as RJ45 and one with eight RJ45 ports and two SFP slots for sliding into SFP modules in order to connect optical cables. The devices have the PROFINET I/O stack and LLDP, so that they can also be planned as PROFINET Conformance Class B devices using Step7 software.
All other switch functionalities can be set up in parallel via the web. EtherNet/IP applications are also optimally supported with IGMP snooping and DHCP Option 82, and the FTS switches also support functions such as VLANs, RSTP for redundant topologies, 802.1x as a security mechanism and all common management functions.