Stratix 5700 NAT simplifies design, install and integration for midrange solutions
28/06/2013 Rockwell Automation
Expanding on its new Integrated Architecture midrange portfolio, the Stratix 5700 industrial Ethernet switch with NAT capabilities from Rockwell Automation will give designers and engineers far greater flexibility when it comes to designing and installing Ethernet-based assets and industrial networking solutions.The Stratix 5700 industrial Ethernet managed switch - with Cisco® Technology - facilitates the merging of EtherNet/IP with the rest of the corporate enterprise. This convergence will ultimately help people, processes and technology to work in unison to achieve higher levels of business performance, turn resources into assets and discover unique opportunities for competitiveness.
Rockwell Automation has expanded the range to include a variant that deploys Network Address Translation (NAT) capabilities. This capability allows designers to allocate IP addresses to downstream assets without fear of creating conflicts with existing IP address allocations. When the switch is installed with all the connected downstream equipment, a table is created which pairs the IP addresses used in the design, with IP addresses that are actually free and available on the network. Anyone wishing to interact with a downstream device can simply use the plant-side IP address and the switch will use the table to interface to the corresponding asset.
The primary benefit of this approach is the freedom it gives engineers to design machines and solutions without necessarily needing to know which IP ranges are available at the installation site. It also allows OEMs to design modular, standardised equipment and solutions, with the same range of IP addresses used in each machine, which can then be simply plugged into a customer's existing plant, with the Stratix 5700 handling all of the potential IP "conflicts" using the table.
The Stratix 5700 is offered in three base port configurations - 6, 10 and 20 ports - each base model comes with dual power inputs, input and output alarms, console port, fibre-ready SFP slots (multi and single mode SFPs are available separately) and DIN rail mount. Options include: two Gig ports, SD flash card, IEEE 1588 support and conformal coating. Operating temperature is in the range of -40 to 60°C.
Tools for configuration and monitoring have been developed for both IT and manufacturing professionals. These tools can provide secure integration to the enterprise network, while allowing for easy setup and diagnostics from within the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture.
The Stratix 5700 offers multiple benefits to both manufacturing and IT personnel. These include: management and diagnostics from within both IT and controls environment; simple device replacement via SD card that holds the configuration for easy swap out; default configurations for industrial automation and EtherNet/IP devices (Global and Smartports); security features that help ensure only authorised devices, users and traffic can access and traverse the network; and "right-size" network infrastructure with scalable hardware and software configurations.
The devices leverage the best of both Rockwell Automation and Cisco. From the Rockwell Automation side users can expect premiere integration (CIP) to the Integrated Architecture; RSLogix 5000 for configuration via Add on Profiles; pre-defined Logix tags for diagnostics; and FactoryTalk View Faceplates for status monitoring and alarming. From Cisco, users can achieve secure integration with enterprise network; familiarity with Cisco Internet Operating System (IOS®); Cisco Catalyst® switch architecture/feature set; and common IT development and management tools (Command Line Interface (CLI), Cisco Network Assistant (CNA) and Device Manager)
The Stratix 5700 also offers easy configuration, with a DHCP per port for easy end device replacement, eliminating IP address configuration. It also offers the same programming and configuration software as all Logix controllers, pre-designed default settings for automation applications; and Smartports for switch port optimisation. Security is addressed by advanced security and switching features to maintain machine performance; the ability to programmatically turn on or off any of the ports via Logix; and configurable device authentication per port.
For further information, please contact:
Rockwell Automation Ltd
Pitfield, Kiln Farm
Milton Keynes
Bucks K11 3DR
Tel: 0870 242 5004
Fax: 01908 839696
Web: www.rockwellautomation.co.uk
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