IE-4000-8T4G-E Cisco Industrial Ethernet 4000 Series Layer 3 Ethernet Switch

Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E Industrial Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E belongs to the Industrial Ethernet 4000 Series, delivering reliable Layer 3 switching with robust industrial-grade performance. Ideal for demanding network environments, this switch ensures seamless connectivity and high-speed data transfer across your industrial network.

Manufacturer and Model Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model / SKU: IE-4000-8T4G-E
• Product Type: Managed Switch
• Port Configuration: 12 Ports (8 x 10/100 Mbps + 4 x Combo Gigabit SFP)

Technical Specifications

Device Type and Mounting

• Managed industrial switch with full Layer 3 capabilities
• Din Rail mountable for versatile industrial deployment
• Supports Fast Ethernet networks

Port and Connectivity Features

• 8 x 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 ports
• 4 x Combo Gigabit SFP uplink ports
• Supports up to 1000 VLANs for network segmentation
• Accommodates 1000 IGMP groups for efficient multicast handling
• 16,000 MAC address table entries for large network scalability

Routing and Network Management

• Static IPv4 routing support for stable network traffic paths
• Remote management via SNMP (v1, v2, v3), RMON (v1, v2), Telnet, HTTP, SSH, CLI

Security and Authentication

Authentication Methods

• RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication protocols

Security and Access Control

• NAT support and BOOTP handling
• Advanced VLAN support and IGMP snooping
• MAC address filtering and DiffServ for network policy enforcement
• Storm control for broadcast, multicast, and unicast traffic
• STP, RSTP, and MSTP for loop prevention

Advanced Features

DHCP and QoS Capabilities

• DHCP services including snooping, relay, and server functions
• Quality of Service (QoS) support for traffic prioritization

Redundancy and Synchronization

• Redundancy protocols: UDLD, BFD, REP, PRP for uninterrupted operations
• Network time synchronization: NTP and PTP support
• Filtering and network protection: IGMP filtering and IP Source Guard

Standards and Compliance

• IEEE standards: 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3z, 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.3ab, 802.1p, 802.3x, 802.3ad, 802.1w, 802.1x, 802.1s, 802.3ah, 802.1ag, 802.1ab
• Precision time protocol compliance: 1588v2
• Network equipment reliability standard: 1613

Memory and Expansion Options

• 512 MB RAM for efficient performance
• 128 MB flash memory for configuration and firmware storage
• 1 SD memory card slot (occupied) for optional storage expansion

Interfaces

• 8 x 100BASE-TX RJ-45 ports
• 4 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 uplink ports
• 4 x SFP uplink slots
• 1 x Mini-USB Type B port
• 1 x Console RJ-45 interface

Power Requirements

• Input voltage: DC 9.6 – 60 V
• Current: 3.7 A
• Operational power consumption: 35 W

Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E Industrial Ethernet Switch

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E Industrial Ethernet 4000 Series Switch is designed to meet the demanding requirements of industrial networking environments. With 12 ports supporting both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality, this switch offers unparalleled performance, reliability, and flexibility for mission-critical applications. Engineered for industrial settings, it combines ruggedized hardware with advanced networking features, ensuring seamless connectivity in harsh conditions.

Robust Industrial Design and Durability

Industrial environments often subject networking equipment to extreme temperatures, dust, vibration, and moisture. The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E addresses these challenges with a robust design featuring a hardened metal enclosure and enhanced shock and vibration resistance. Rated for a wide temperature range, this switch operates reliably even in outdoor or factory floor conditions, reducing downtime and maintenance costs for industrial operations.

Temperature and Environmental Tolerance

The switch is capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 75°C, making it suitable for environments with extreme heat or cold. Its IP50-rated enclosure provides protection against dust ingress, while advanced thermal management ensures consistent performance under heavy network loads. These design considerations make the Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E ideal for deployment in transportation, energy, manufacturing, and outdoor industrial networks.

High Performance Layer 3 Switching

Layer 3 capabilities in the Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E allow for advanced routing within industrial networks. This switch supports static routing, OSPF, and VRRP, enabling efficient traffic management and faster data forwarding. The combination of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features allows network administrators to create highly resilient and scalable network topologies, reducing congestion and improving the overall performance of industrial automation systems.

Advanced Routing Protocol Support

With support for dynamic routing protocols, the Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E can automatically adapt to changes in network topology. OSPF support enables efficient routing within larger industrial sites, while VRRP ensures high availability by providing automatic failover between redundant gateways. This ensures minimal disruption in critical applications, such as process control, SCADA systems, and industrial IoT networks.

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E comes with 12 ports, including 8 copper Ethernet ports and 4 Gigabit SFP ports for fiber connectivity. This combination provides flexibility for connecting various industrial devices, including sensors, actuators, programmable logic controllers, and supervisory systems. Fiber connectivity enables long-distance communication between industrial sites, while copper ports facilitate local connections within control rooms and factory floors.

Flexible Network Segmentation

VLAN support allows network administrators to segment traffic, improving security and reducing broadcast domains within industrial environments. The switch also supports Quality of Service (QoS), enabling prioritization of critical industrial traffic, such as real-time control messages and video surveillance data. This ensures reliable performance even under heavy network utilization, critical for time-sensitive industrial operations.

Redundancy and High Availability

Industrial networks demand high uptime to maintain production and operational efficiency. The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E supports redundancy protocols, including Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), and EtherChannel for link aggregation. These features provide failover protection and seamless network recovery in case of link or device failures, ensuring continuous operation in mission-critical applications.

Power and PoE Capabilities

The switch provides flexible power options, including support for redundant DC power inputs. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is supported on selected ports, allowing direct powering of devices such as IP cameras, industrial wireless access points, and other field devices. This reduces the need for additional power infrastructure and simplifies network deployment in industrial facilities.

Security and Network Management

Security is a crucial consideration in industrial networks, and the Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E delivers robust features to protect critical infrastructure. It supports access control lists (ACLs), port security, and 802.1X authentication, enabling administrators to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate potential cyber threats. The switch is fully compatible with Cisco Industrial Network Director, allowing centralized monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting of the entire industrial network.

Proactive Network Monitoring

With advanced monitoring capabilities, including SNMP, syslog, and RMON, network administrators can proactively identify and address issues before they affect operations. The switch also supports Cisco’s embedded Event Manager (EEM) for automated network tasks and rapid response to network anomalies, enhancing operational reliability and reducing downtime in industrial environments.

Applications in Industrial Automation

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E is tailored for applications in smart factories, transportation networks, energy distribution, and industrial automation systems. It enables reliable communication between industrial controllers, sensors, and operator workstations, ensuring efficient production processes and real-time data exchange. Its ruggedized design, advanced Layer 3 routing, and PoE capabilities make it an ideal solution for modern Industrial IoT deployments.

Integration with Industrial IoT and SCADA Systems

The switch is optimized for integration with Industrial IoT devices and SCADA systems, providing high-speed, deterministic networking required for process control and monitoring. It ensures secure and reliable data transmission from field devices to central control systems, supporting predictive maintenance, operational analytics, and automated industrial workflows. By leveraging Layer 3 routing and VLAN segmentation, industrial networks can achieve higher efficiency and resilience.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E is designed with scalability in mind, allowing network expansion as industrial operations grow. Additional switches can be interconnected using fiber uplinks, while advanced routing and redundancy features ensure seamless integration into larger industrial networks. Future-proofing capabilities include support for new industrial protocols and the ability to adapt to evolving network topologies without requiring major infrastructure changes.

Comprehensive Cisco Support and Ecosystem

As part of the Cisco Industrial Ethernet family, the IE-4000-8T4G-E benefits from extensive support, including firmware updates, technical assistance, and integration guidance. Cisco’s ecosystem ensures interoperability with other industrial networking devices, enabling end-to-end connectivity solutions for manufacturing, energy, transportation, and critical infrastructure industries.