Transition Networks’ (News - Alert) new line of Ethernet switches, the Indura IND-3280 series, is designed to work in the harshest possible environments.

Electrical substations, oil and gas production facilities and chemical manufacturing applications are usually the death of the SFP module. The SFP module, a component of the Ethernet switch, generally fails in applications like these in which standard operating temperatures exceed the modules’ maximum acceptable temperatures.

The IND-3280 uses a fanless passive cooling design for greatly improved thermal performance. The conventional heat dissipation design of most Ethernet switches does not provide sufficient cooling for SFP modules in any application. SFP modules are usually the first parts on a switch to fail, especially when the harsh temperatures of a more severe industrial environment. The chip can operate in temperatures between -45C and 75C (-113F and 167F).

In addition to its ability to function in difficult places, the Indura IND-3280 is the first switch specifically designed for smart grid and electrical substation infrastructures. To guarantee accurate data throughput, the smart grid requires constant reporting on the health of the network. The IND-3280 delivers precise packet loss, packet delay and throughput rates in addition to providing advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access.

“Our engineering team created an exciting product design for the Indura platform. The Indura IND-3280 will be the first in a series of industrial switches designed to remain reliable in the harshest environments due to its innovative heat dissipation technology, rugged industrial design and lifetime warranty,” stated Kevin Faulds, director of product management at Transition Networks.

Another feature of the IND-3280 is its Ethernet OAM suite. Designed for operation, administration and maintenance functions, the suite provides both increased service availability and reduced mean time to repair through Ethernet link fault and connectivity management.

Administrators can provision, manage and monitor the IND-3280 through its built-in web-GUI interface, through event trap monitoring or through an integrated CLI via telnet or console port.

“We are pleased to offer our new Indura™ industrial product line to Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution customers, as we bring 25 years of fiber connectivity and network management experience to this market,” said Sev Sadura, general manager at Transition Networks.