Transition Networks unveils rugged Ethernet switches

Transition Networks last week introduced a new line of ruggedized Ethernet switches. These switches are designed for some of the harshest networking environments.

Most users won’t need the features of such rugged network devices, but it’s interesting to see that Ethernet is so prevalent that there might be a need for devices that can really stand up to abuse and electrical interference.

Transition says the switches will operate reliably in power-generation plants, substations and other utilities, since the switches are compliant with the electrical immunity, temperature ratings and environmental requirements of IEEE 1613, the standard for networking devices in electrical power substations.

The switches are shipping now, with both multimode and single-mode fiber port options. One switch simply has one 10/100Mbps copper port and one 100Base-FX fiber-optic port. Another switch has three of the 10/100 copper ports and two fiber ports, and the third switch has four copper ports and one fiber port.

Transition says that the devices offer automatic link restoration, which re-establishes copper and fiber links without user intervention, and without the need to power-cycle the device. The company offers a dual-fiber-port version for running redundant links, and offers single or redundant power supplies. Plus, “dry contact relays provide alarming in the event of a port link failure or power supply failure,” the company says.

The devices will operate in temperatures ranging between -40 degrees Celsius and 75 degrees Celsius without a fan.

Transition Networks, of Minneapolis, makes media converters for network equipment, for converting copper links to fiber and vice versa. It also sells multilayer switching and wireless products.