Westermo Industrial Ethernet Devices: Managed Switches and Serial Servers for Automation Networks

Westermo Industrial Ethernet Devices: Managed Switches and Serial Servers for Automation Networks

Industrial automation networks demand equipment that can withstand harsh conditions, deliver reliable performance, and provide secure, future-proof connectivity. For engineers and maintenance professionals tasked with designing or maintaining these networks, selecting the right industrial Ethernet devices is critical to avoid costly downtime and ensure long-term operational success. Westermo industrial Ethernet devices, including their managed switches and serial servers, are engineered precisely for these mission-critical applications.

This article explores what makes Westermo’s industrial Ethernet devices superior, highlights key product lines, and provides practical guidance on deploying these devices effectively in automation networks.

Why Westermo Industrial Ethernet Devices Stand Out

Extreme Environmental Robustness

Industrial automation environments such as railways, mining sites, and manufacturing plants often expose networking equipment to extreme temperatures, vibrations, electrical noise, and moisture. Westermo switches and serial servers are designed with all-metal housings rated IP40 or higher, industrial-grade components, and wide operating temperature ranges (often -40°C to +70°C or more). This rugged construction ensures reliable operation where standard commercial switches would fail.

For example, the RedFox-5728-F16G-T12G-HVHV rackmount switch is built for harsh environments, featuring robust galvanic isolation and high surge immunity. Its design minimizes failure risks caused by electrical disturbances common in industrial settings.

Galvanic Isolation for Electrical Noise Immunity

A major technical advantage of Westermo devices is their high-level galvanic isolation between interfaces. This isolation acts as a physical barrier against damaging power surges, voltage spikes, and electromagnetic interference. It prevents ground loops and protects sensitive electronics, which is crucial in industrial environments prone to electrical noise.

Products like the Lynx-3310-F2G-T8-LV managed switch incorporate galvanic isolation on all ports, enhancing network stability and device longevity. This feature reduces maintenance costs by lowering failure rates and avoiding network interruptions.

Lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Although Westermo devices may have a higher upfront cost compared to standard industrial switches, their superior build quality and reliability translate into a lower total cost of ownership. Their low failure rates mean fewer replacements and less downtime, which is especially valuable in mission-critical applications.

For instance, the L108-F2G-S2-12VDC managed switch is designed for long service life with minimal maintenance. Its fanless design eliminates moving parts that could fail, and the rugged construction withstands harsh conditions, reducing lifecycle costs.

Advanced Cybersecurity and Software

Westermo places strong emphasis on cybersecurity, supporting IEC 62443-4-2 standards for industrial network security. Their next-generation switches include features such as secure boot, encrypted management interfaces, and role-based access control.

The WeConfig software tool simplifies device configuration and network management while enforcing security policies. This reduces configuration errors and helps maintain a secure network posture, critical in automation environments vulnerable to cyber threats.

High Performance in Harsh Conditions

Westermo devices are tested extensively to ensure zero downtime in challenging environments. Their switches support high-speed data transfer with low latency, essential for real-time automation control and monitoring.

The RedFox-5528-T28G-HV switch supports multiple 10G ports and is designed for complex, high-bandwidth industrial networks. It delivers reliable, high-throughput communication even in electrically noisy or vibration-heavy settings.

Ease of Deployment and Management

Westermo’s WeConfig software offers a user-friendly interface for configuring multiple devices simultaneously, monitoring network status, and troubleshooting. This reduces engineering time and simplifies network maintenance.

Products such as the Lynx-3510-E-F2G2.5-T8G-LV managed switch integrate seamlessly with WeConfig, enabling quick setup and ongoing management without specialized training.

Key Westermo Product Lines for Automation Networks

Lynx Series: Compact, High-Performance Managed Switches

The Lynx series is ideal for applications requiring compact devices with robust performance and PoE (Power over Ethernet) capability. These switches are suitable for edge devices and smaller automation cells.

• Lynx-3310-F2G-T8-LV: Offers 8 Fast Ethernet ports plus 2 Gigabit uplinks, with galvanic isolation and fanless design.
• Lynx-3510-E-F2G2.5-T8G-LV: Features 8 Gigabit Ethernet ports plus 2.5G uplinks, designed for higher bandwidth needs in compact form factors.

These switches are perfect for machine-level networking where space is limited but reliability cannot be compromised.

RedFox Series: Rugged Rackmount Switches for Complex Networks

The RedFox series provides rackmount switches designed for large-scale, high-reliability industrial networks. They support high port counts, multi-gigabit speeds, and advanced redundancy protocols.

• RedFox-5728-F16G-T12G-HVHV: 28-port switch with 16 Gigabit and 12 10G ports, ideal for backbone networks in manufacturing or energy.
• RedFox-5528-F4G-T24G-HV: 28-port switch with 4 Gigabit and 24 10G ports, optimized for high-throughput industrial data centers.

These switches feature extensive galvanic isolation, surge protection, and support for industrial protocols, ensuring continuous operation in harsh environments.

Ibex Series: Wireless Access Points and Routers for Mobile Applications

The Ibex series addresses the need for rugged wireless connectivity in outdoor or mobile industrial environments such as mining or railways.

• RFI-111-F4G-T7G: Industrial wireless access point with 4G cellular backup, designed for remote site connectivity.
• RFIR-127-F4G-T7G-DC: Wireless router with DC power input, ideal for mobile or off-grid applications.

These devices maintain reliable wireless communication despite vibration, temperature extremes, and electromagnetic interference.

Serial Servers for Legacy Device Integration

Westermo also offers serial servers like the Viper-112A that enable legacy serial devices to connect to modern Ethernet networks. This is essential for integrating older automation equipment into new control systems without costly replacement.

Practical Guidance for Deploying Westermo Industrial Ethernet Devices

Assess Environmental Conditions Thoroughly

Before selecting devices, evaluate the environmental challenges your network will face:

• Temperature extremes and fluctuations
• Vibration and shock levels
• Exposure to dust, moisture, or corrosive substances
• Electrical noise and surge potential

Westermo switches with IP40+ enclosures and wide temperature ranges are well-suited for these conditions. For example, the L208-F2G-S2-12VDC is designed for wide temperature ranges and DC power environments.

Plan Network Architecture with Redundancy

Industrial networks require high availability. Use Westermo’s managed switches supporting ring and mesh topologies with rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP) to ensure failover capabilities.

Deploy devices like the RedFox-5728-E-F16G-T12G-HVHV in core network positions to provide high port density and redundancy. Combine with Lynx series switches at the edge for distributed resilience.

Leverage Galvanic Isolation to Protect Network Integrity

Always choose devices with galvanic isolation on Ethernet ports to protect against ground loops and surges. This is especially critical in environments with heavy machinery or long cable runs.

Westermo’s entire switch portfolio, including the L110-F2G unmanaged switch, features galvanic isolation, making them a safe choice for industrial deployments.

Utilize WeConfig for Efficient Network Management

Use Westermo’s WeConfig software to:

• Configure multiple devices simultaneously
• Set up VLANs, QoS, and security policies
• Monitor device health and network status
• Perform firmware updates securely

This tool reduces manual configuration errors and speeds up commissioning and troubleshooting.

Integrate Legacy Equipment with Serial Servers

If your automation network includes serial devices, deploy Westermo serial servers like the Viper-112A to bridge RS-232/422/485 devices to Ethernet. This extends the life of legacy equipment and enables centralized monitoring.

Ensure Cybersecurity Compliance

Implement Westermo’s security features such as:

• Secure boot and firmware validation
• Encrypted management interfaces (SSH, HTTPS)
• Role-based access control and user authentication
• Network segmentation via VLANs

These measures help comply with IEC 62443 standards and protect against cyber threats targeting industrial control systems.

Case Example: Westermo Switches in a Railway Automation Network

A railway operator needed a network solution capable of withstanding vibration, temperature extremes, and electrical interference while ensuring zero downtime for signaling and monitoring systems.

They deployed RedFox-5528-T28G-HV switches in central control rooms for high-speed backbone connectivity and Lynx-3510-E-F2G2.5-T8G-LV switches at trackside cabinets. The galvanic isolation protected against surges induced by nearby electrified rails. Using WeConfig, the network was quickly configured and is now remotely managed with minimal maintenance.

This deployment exemplifies how Westermo’s rugged design and advanced features enable reliable, secure indust