Ethernet line extender

Ethernet Line Extender provides high-speed network connections over existing cabling
Easy-to-use, compact device for mission critical railway, industrial and utility applications

Westermo has enhanced its series of Ethernet line extenders with the release of a high-speed, compact device that is capable of meeting the increasing data transfer demands within industrial applications. The DDW-142 is the latest addition to the Wolverine range, which uses SHDSL technology (symetric high speed digital subscriber line) to establish a high-speed connection between Ethernet networks using any existing copper cables. This can enable considerable cost savings to be made when installing new systems where in the past the only option would have been fibre.


The DDW-142 is a fully managed device with Layer 2 switch functionality that enables effective Ethernet networks to be created over distances of up to 15 km. Data rates of up to 30.4 Mbits/s are possible, making the device suitable for connecting complex networks that may include a large number of devices requiring high bandwidth. An integral 2-port 100 Mbit switch allows two Ethernet devices to be attached and a RS-232 port enables legacy devices to be easily incorporated into the IP network.


To support engineers that are installing and maintaining ever increasingly complex networks, the DDW-142 has been designed to be extremely easy to set up, requiring no configuration for simple point-to-point communications. For larger networks, a web interface is provided and a CLI allows even more complex configuration. The Wolverine range is also supplied with a unique cable distance calculator. This uses data from real world applications to enable installers to calculate the speed and achievable distances using different types of cable. Once installed, SHDSL diagnostics and management functions enable indication of line degradation allowing planned maintenance. Should maintenance be required, a back-up and restore facility enables configurations to be quickly downloaded from a USB stick.


The DDW-142 is designed for use in tough environments and mission critical railway, road or utility applications where device failure could result in significant costs. The rugged and very compact unit can operate in extreme temperatures (-40 to +70°C) and where EMC and vibration levels are high. Total galvanic isolation and transient protection of the electronics contribute to a MTBF of 437,000 hours, ensuring high operational reliability and a long service life.
 
The Wolverine’s WeOS operating system provides an extensive suite of IP networking standards allowing resilient and flexible networks to be created. Developed to allow cross platform and future proof solutions, WeOS delivers a unique level of security and enables the DDW-142 to form part of a point-to-point, multi-drop or resilient ring network. In the event of any link or hardware failure, Westermo’s unique FRNT technology is able to re-configure a large network. 


The DDW-142 is transparent for multicast addressing, allows VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through for IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) and can be used with protocols like Modbus/TCP and PROFINET I/O. The DDW-142 also features a Link Fault Forward (LFF) functionality whereby the Ethernet link status is sent over the SHDSL link between two units.