Rockwell, Cisco bring IT, controls closer

Everyone talks about engineering and IT getting closer together.
Some may bristle at the thought, but Rockwell Automation and Cisco think there is a true convergence of the two practices and their new switch line may help bring the different parties together.
Rockwell introduced a line of industrial Ethernet switches with its partner Cisco at Automation Fair here in Chicago today. The new line will integrate with Cisco along with the Rockwell technology.
“These are jointly developed and branded modular switches,” said Brian Oulton, director, networks marketing at Rockwell. “This will allow controls and IT to work together in the sandbox.”
The modular switches use the current Cisco Catalyst switch architecture and feature set, along with configuration tools, helping to provide secure integration with the enterprise network. It allows for easy setup and comprehensive diagnostics. A user can configure the switch using Allen-Bradley RSLogix 5000 programming software.
“The new switch line allows IT people to feel at home and controls people to feel at home,” Oulton said. “The real goal is to gain a competitive advantage of a company’s business model.”
Rockwell also talked about embedded switch technology for linear and ring topologies. This is where they embed Ethernet switch technology directly into programmable automation controllers, distributed I/O and drives, which allows for better configuration choices for EtherNet/IP applications, such as daisy-chain and ring topologies.
Fixed managed switches feature simple setup and default configurations for EtherNet/IP, this line of fixed managed switches should help in the deployment of Ethernet on the plant floor. It integrates setup and diagnostic information into Logix using the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP).
Unmanaged switches and media are industrial grade products with four to eight ports that offer a variety of copper and fiber options. The unmanaged switches do not require any configuration.