Description

The Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E is a robust, fully managed industrial Ethernet switch designed specifically for harsh environments and mission-critical automation applications. As a key component of Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet 4000 Series, this switch provides reliable and secure network connectivity for a wide range of industrial devices, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), drives, and sensors. The Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E delivers Layer 2 management features with a focus on operational technology (OT) network requirements, offering advanced capabilities for network segmentation, traffic prioritization, and security. Its ruggedized design ensures stable operation in conditions characterized by extreme temperatures, vibration, shock, and electrical noise, which are commonplace in factories, utilities, and transportation systems.

The model designation reveals its configuration: it provides 16 10/100/1000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet ports for connecting end devices and 4 additional Gigabit Ethernet ports that can be used for uplinks or to form high-speed fiber optic backbones, providing flexibility in network topology design. The “-E” suffix typically indicates an enhanced model, which often includes support for advanced features like Cisco’s Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP) for rapid network convergence and Device Level Ring (DLR) for deterministic recovery in ring topologies. The Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E is more than just a connectivity hub; it is an intelligent network node that provides visibility and control over the industrial control system (ICS) network, which is vital for maintaining uptime, security, and performance.

IE-4000-16GT4G-E CISCO

Technical Specifications

Main Features and Advantages

The Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E delivers a powerful combination of ruggedness and advanced networking intelligence. Its key advantage is support for high-availability protocols critical for industrial networks. Cisco’s Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP) provides sub-50ms network recovery in ring topologies, ensuring that a single link failure does not disrupt control system traffic. For PROFINET and other industrial protocols, the switch supports the Device Level Ring (DLR) protocol, allowing for even faster, deterministic recovery times suitable for the most demanding real-time control applications. These features make the IE-4000-16GT4G-E exceptionally reliable for creating robust network architectures.

Advanced security and management features are another major advantage. The switch offers comprehensive security functionalities, including port security, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and IEEE 802.1X for network access control, helping to protect the industrial network from unauthorized access and cyber threats. The integrated Quality of Service (QoS) features allow for prioritization of critical control traffic (like I/O data) over less time-sensitive data, ensuring deterministic performance. The ruggedized design, with a wide operating temperature range and immunity to harsh conditions, means the Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E will deliver years of trouble-free service on the factory floor, far outperforming standard commercial switches. Its programmability and integration with Cisco DNA Center further enhance its value for centralized network management.

Application Field

The Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E is ideally suited for a wide array of demanding industrial environments. In manufacturing and automotive assembly plants, it is used to create a converged “Plant Floor” network, connecting robots, PLCs, and vision systems with high reliability and low latency. For the oil and gas industry, this switch can be deployed in remote locations, on offshore platforms, or along pipelines, where it must withstand extreme temperatures and provide a reliable communication backbone for SCADA and control systems.

In the power utility sector, the Cisco IE-4000-16GT4G-E is used in substation automation, providing network connectivity for Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and RTUs with the necessary ruggedness and security certifications. In transportation, it is applied in rail signaling systems and for onboard train networks. For water and wastewater treatment facilities, the switch connects distributed PLCs and instruments across the plant, with its robust construction handling the humid and corrosive atmosphere. Its high-availability features make it a perfect fit for any application where network downtime equates to production loss, safety risks, or environmental incidents.

IE-4000-16GT4G-E CISCO

Related Products

Cisco IE-4000-8GT4G-E: A similar switch with 8 copper ports and 4 SFP slots for smaller applications.

Cisco IE-4010-16GT4G-E: A potential successor model in the IE 4010 series, offering updated features and performance.

Cisco IE-2000-16T4G-E: A switch from the IE 2000 series, which may have a different feature set or performance level.

Cisco SFP Modules (e.g., GLC-LH-SMD): The compatible Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers used in the four uplink ports.

Cisco 1941 Integrated Services Router: A router that could serve as the network gateway in a system using the IE-4000-16GT4G-E for access layer connectivity.

Allen-Bradley Stratix 8000: Another industrial managed switch series; the Cisco IE series is often compared and used in similar applications.