Sixnet Announces the First Industrial Ethernet Switch to Bring True Enterprise-class Networking to Harsh Environments

By providing a broad range of high-end enterprise-class networking functionality, the EL228 delivers the capabilities required to enable a new generation of “smart” applications for industries such as power and energy, transportation, and oil and gas, delivered in a hardened form factor with proven reliability in environments as extreme as U.S. Navy air traffic control in Antarctica and oil platforms in Oman.

“There has been considerable hype in recent years around smart grid and intelligent transportation systems, but in reality most of these systems remain seriously constrained by limited networking capabilities,” said Hilton Nicholson, president and CEO of Sixnet. “The EL228 is the first Ethernet switch platform to provide the security, reliability and broad enterprise-class networking features that organizations in these markets require.”

The EL228 also delivers the lowest total cost of ownership of any industrial Ethernet switch in its class. It accomplishes this by providing 24 Fast Ethernet small form-factor pluggable (SFP) ports that are fully field-configurable. This enables customers to modify configurations as networking requirements change, thus eliminating the “forklift upgrades” required when using typical pre-configured industrial switches. Additionally, The EL228 substantially reduces the need to inventory spare switches, since customers can dynamically configure the EL228's ports to match the configuration of any switch in their network.

“The new Sixnet EL228 is the most flexible industrial managed switch I’ve seen,” said Dr. Jay Park, senior product manager, PowerRICHSystems, for BCI Technologies, a provider of industrial communications and automation solutions to enterprises and municipalities worldwide. “The EL228 provides a single-model solution for the diverse needs of smart grid and distribution automation in all types of substations, at a great price point.”