Acting as intermediaries, these switches facilitate the transfer of data packets between connected devices, such as computers, Wi-Fi access points, servers, and IoT devices.
Effective industrial Ethernet switches need to be durable to maintain seamless, uninterrupted network connectivity and Moxa’s EDS-2000 and EDS-4000 ranges have been designed to meet all the requirements of industrial network environments.
The main difference between the EDS-2000 range and the EDS-4000 range is their manageability. EDS-4000 Ethernet switches are managed, which provides a higher level of control, security and performance optimisation, making them suitable for medium to large-scale networks that require higher levels of customisation and monitoring.
EDS-2000 Ethernet switches are unmanaged, which means that these switches function out-of-the-box and will work the moment they're plugged in. These switches are simple and easy to use and are a cost-effective choice for simple network environments that will not require much configuration.
The EDS-2000 switches offer: 5 or 8 Ethernet port options; SC/ST fibre models are available for the EDS-2008-EL Series; full Gigabit ports for the EDS-G2000-EL/ELP Series; supports 12/24/48 VDC input; offers microsecond-level latency and high EMC resistance.
When network data travels through an Ethernet Switch, there is no priority over which device takes precedence when entering or leaving. Ethernet Packets or Ethernet Frames arrive on an Ethernet Port and are then directed through the switch based on the network table.
Quality of Service is a unique feature for unmanaged switches that addresses this challenge. Devices can assign priority to the traffic they are sending, and the unmanaged EDS-2000 switch can interpret and apply appropriate priority to the network packets being transmitted through the switch.
Broadcast Storm Protection is another feature for maintaining consistent network connectivity in the EDS-2000 range. Broadcast Storms can take place for any number of reasons; when a Broadcast Storm occurs, the network is overwhelmed with network traffic in a short period of time, overwhelming its capacity. The struggle to process this high number of broadcast packets can bring an Ethernet network to a standstill. Network throughput is either greatly reduced, or the network can crash. To maintain network stability and safeguard against these issues, Broadcast Storm Protection is crucial in any network setup, especially an Industrial Automation Ethernet network.
In addition, the EDS-2000 is a cost-effective option in a compact size, freeing up space inside cabinets for more device connections. Despite its form factor, this model offers easy data control and durability for harsh environments, including a wide operating temperature range.
The EDS-2000 also features low power consumption figures, which not only leads to reduced energy costs but also aligns with today’s growing emphasis on environmentally conscious technology solutions.
The EDS-4000 range is the first IEC 62443-4-2 compliant industrial Ethernet switch, making it a suitable choice for cybersecurity and safeguarding against malicious activity. With 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet, and 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet in the G4000 series, these switches provide much faster networking speed while data packets are kept secure in a fully controlled network infrastructure.
A unique feature of Moxa’s EDS-4000/G4000 range is its modular power design, allowing the power unit to easily be removed and replaced in the event of a failure.
