Extended Firmware for MEN Micro Rugged Ethernet Switches Facilitates Data Management

Online, August 5, 2011 (Newswire.com) - MEN Micro Inc., a world-renowned provider of embedded computing and I/O solutions for mission-critical industrial, mobile and harsh environment applications, now offers an extended firmware package for its rugged Ethernet switches.

The new firmware fulfills all requirements of highly demanding applications. Individual port configuration via the command line interface and SNMP (version 3) as well as through an HTTP web server helps facilitate data management within an embedded system.

MEN Micro's easily customizable, low-power industrial Ethernet switches can be used as stand-alone units or in CompactPCI systems for harsh and mobile environments with intense communication requirements. Typical applications include those found in commercial, transportation, industrial and agriculture environments.

In lab environments, the firmware can easily be configured by a command line environment with full access to all configuration options and status information, while SNMP offers full management access in deployed operation, including hardware traps on exceptional conditions.

The switch configuration data can be stored on an external storage key, which can remain at the device location to allow fool-proof switch replacement without any device interaction.

To ensure safe operation, the firmware monitors all hardware appliances, such as temperature, voltages or load on the PoE-enabled network ports.

Managed switches are equipped with a fully featured software package to professionally manage even complex network infrastructures, including Layer-2 switching functionalities such as VLANs, QoS, LLDP and link aggregation. Dynamic reconfiguration scenarios are managed by protocols including IGMP snooping and filtering, RSTP and DHCP. The switches are available as unmanaged models.

The Ethernet switches are fully compliant with the EN 50155 railway standard and designed for operating temperatures from -40 to +70°C (up to +85°C for 10 minutes) without the need for cooling (fanless operation).

Hardened against shock and vibration, the PCBs have no socketed components and are ready for coating, with some versions conformally-coated as standard.

MEN Micro's SF switch models come in a compact 3U, 18HP, 19" cassette and can be used as stand-alone units or installed in a system rack. The switches are supplied by their integrated, rugged power supply unit (PSU), with a power connector at the front panel. They consume less than 7 W and need no cooling.

The stand-alone RS models are part of the extremely rugged MIPIOS series. Their aluminum enclosure and M12 connectors make these Ethernet switches dust-proof and waterproof according to IP67. They also conform to e1 requirements of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority.

The rugged CompactPCI-based Ethernet switch F302 offers flexibility for complete systems in harsh environments - either with RJ45 or robust M12 connectors. For CompactPCI Serial or hybrid systems, MEN Micro's unmanaged CompactPCI Serial switch G301 can act similarly to a managed version with fixed settings by using an application-specific configuration EEPROM.

Pricing for the switches is dependant upon model and family. Delivery is six to eight weeks ARO.

For additional information, visit http://www.menmicro.com or contact Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro Inc., 24 N. Main Street, Ambler, Pa. 19002; Phone: 215-542-9575; Fax: 215-542-9577; E-mail: [email protected].

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http://www.simongroup.com/PressRoom/press-release.php?Job=MEN-A-5862

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UPCOMING TRADESHOW: APTA Expo, Booth 6416, October 3-5, 2011; New Orleans, La.

READER SERVICE INQUIRIES: Please forward all reader service inquiries to Stephen Cunha, MEN Micro Inc., 24 N. Main Street, Ambler, Pa. 19002; E-mail: [email protected].

About MEN Micro Inc.
Since its inception, MEN Micro has focused on innovation, reliability and flexibility to develop standard and custom embedded boards and systems that employ the highest technology and innovations. The company provides a robust offering of highly reliable embedded computing and I/O solutions widely used in extreme environmental conditions found in industrial and safety-critical applications.

MEN Micro offers more than 100 standard boards and systems based on Intel and PowerPC with corresponding BIOS, BSP and driver software as well as a host of custom solutions. In addition to CompactPCI, CompactPCI PlusIO, CompactPCI Serial and VMEbus SBCs, the company's products include DAL and SIL certified safe computer assemblies; ESMexpress, ESMini and ESM Computer-On-Modules; PMC, XMC and M-Modules as system-independent mezzanine I/O standards; box and display computers; and network components, gateways and Ethernet switches.

Starting with development, through design-in and beyond, MEN Micro provides its customers with advice and support as well as environmental qualification services in accordance with industry standards. MEN Micro is the US subsidiary of MEN Mikro Elektronik in Germany, which has over 200 employees worldwide and is a member of several industry associations, consortiums and alliances.