ENTERASYS A2H124-24

Description

Product Overview and Description

The ENTERASYS A2H124-24 is a managed industrial Ethernet switch designed to provide robust and reliable network connectivity in demanding automation and control environments. As part of the Enterasys (now part of Extreme Networks) Industrial Ethernet (IE) product family, this switch is engineered to operate reliably in the harsh conditions found on factory floors, in substations, and other industrial settings. The primary function of the ENTERASYS A2H124-24 is to serve as a critical network infrastructure component, connecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), drives, and other Ethernet-enabled devices to form a resilient and deterministic communication backbone for industrial control systems.  Deploying a switch like the ENTERASYS A2H124-24 is fundamental to building a modern, Ethernet-based control network. The rugged design and managed features of the ENTERASYS A2H124-24 make it a key enabler for Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity and data collection strategies.

Detailed Product Parameters

• Function: 24-port Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch.
• Port Configuration: Typically provides 24 10/100BASE-TX RJ45 copper ports for device connectivity. Many models also include a limited number of gigabit uplink ports (fiber or copper) for connecting to network backbones or other switches.
• Power Options: The “-24” suffix commonly indicates support for 24VDC input power, which is the standard for industrial control panels, allowing it to be powered directly from the same source as PLCs and other automation equipment. It may also support a wide range of DC voltages or dual/redundant power inputs.
• Industrial Design: Housed in a rugged, metal casing rated for operation in extended temperature ranges (e.g., -40°C to 75°C) and built to withstand high levels of vibration, shock, and electrical noise (EMI/RFI).
• Management & Protocols: A fully managed switch supporting standards like SNMP, VLANs (IEEE 802.1Q), Quality of Service (QoS), port mirroring (SPAN), and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP / MSTP) for network redundancy and loop prevention. It may also support industrial protocols like EtherNet/IP for integration with Rockwell Automation systems.
• Mounting: Designed for DIN-rail mounting, the standard for industrial enclosures, and may also support panel mounting.
• Certifications: Typically carries critical industrial and safety certifications such as UL/cUL, Class I Division 2, ATEX Zone 2, and CE.

Key Advantages and Features

1. Ruggedized for Harsh Environments: The ENTERASYS A2H124-24 is built from the ground up for industrial deployment. Its hardened design ensures reliable operation where commercial-grade switches would fail due to temperature extremes, condensation, vibration, or electrical interference.
2. Deterministic Network Performance: Managed features like QoS and VLANs allow network traffic to be prioritized, ensuring that critical control system data (e.g., I/O updates) receives precedence over other traffic, reducing latency and jitter for time-sensitive applications.
3. Enhanced Network Reliability and Uptime: Features like redundant power inputs and support for Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) create a fault-tolerant network topology. If a link or power source fails, the network can reconfigure itself within milliseconds to maintain communication, which is vital for continuous process operations.
4. Improved Security and Segmentation: As a managed switch, the ENTERASYS A2H124-24 enables the creation of VLANs to logically separate control network traffic from corporate data or camera traffic, limiting the scope of potential cyber incidents and improving overall network security.
5. Centralized Management and Diagnostics: It can be integrated into network management systems (NMS) for centralized configuration, monitoring, and alerting. Detailed port statistics and error counters aid in proactive maintenance and troubleshooting.

Primary Application Fields and Use Cases

This switch is deployed across all industries that require reliable Ethernet networks for control and monitoring.

• Factory Automation: Connecting cells of robots, PLCs, and HMIs on automotive assembly lines, packaging lines, and material handling systems.
• Process Industries: Forming the network backbone in oil & gas facilities, chemical plants, and water treatment plants for distributed I/O and controller communication.
• Energy & Utilities: Used in substation automation (SA) networks and for connecting remote terminal units (RTUs) in power generation and distribution.
• Use Case Example: In an automotive body shop, multiple ENTERASYS A2H124-24 switches are installed in control panels along the line. They connect welding robot controllers, safety light curtains, and zone controllers to a central supervisory PLC. The switches’ rugged design handles the electrical noise from welding equipment, while RSTP ensures that a single cable break does not halt the entire production line.

Comparison with Competing Products

• vs. Commercial/Office Ethernet Switches: Office switches lack the wide temperature rating, rugged housing, DIN-rail mounting, and often the DC power input required for industrial use. They are not designed to handle vibration or EMI and typically lack the necessary management features for control traffic prioritization.
• vs. Other Industrial Managed Switches (e.g., Cisco IE, Siemens SCALANCE): Competitors offer similar ruggedized hardware. The ENTERASYS A2H124-24 differentiates itself through its integration heritage with certain control systems and its specific feature set, management software (Enterasys/Extreme Networks), and potentially its cost-effectiveness for pure layer 2 applications.
• vs. Unmanaged Industrial Switches: Unmanaged switches are simpler and cheaper but offer no traffic prioritization, network segmentation (VLANs), redundancy protocols, or diagnostic capabilities. They are suitable only for non-critical, flat networks.

Selection Suggestions and Important Precautions

• Selection Advice: Select the ENTERASYS A2H124-24 for new or upgraded control networks where environmental hardening, network management, and reliability are required. Key selection criteria are: number of required device ports, need for fiber uplinks, supported power voltage (confirm the “-24” indicates 24VDC), required management features (VLAN, RSTP, QoS), and any necessary safety certifications (e.g., Class I Div 2).
• Precaution – Network Design: Plan the network topology in advance. Utilize RSTP for physical ring or mesh topologies to prevent broadcast storms and ensure redundancy. Carefully plan VLAN assignments to segment traffic.
• Precaution – Power Supply & Grounding: Ensure the DC power source is properly sized and has clean power. Improper grounding is a common cause of communication issues and hardware damage in industrial networks. Follow the manufacturer’s grounding instructions precisely.
• Precaution – Configuration & Security: Before deployment, change all default passwords (especially for administrative access), disable unused ports, and configure the switch according to a security policy. An unconfigured managed switch is a security risk.
• Precaution – Environmental Limits: While rugged, ensure the switch is installed within its specified temperature, humidity, and contamination limits. In extremely dusty or corrosive environments, a higher IP-rated enclosure may still be necessary.

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