IE-4000-8T4G-E Cisco Industrial Ethernet 4000 Series Managed Switch with 12 Ports

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

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E is a robust managed industrial switch from the Cisco 4000 Series, designed for high-performance networking in harsh environments. This 12-port Layer 3 Ethernet switch ensures reliable connectivity and advanced traffic management for industrial applications.

Manufacturer & Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model / SKU: IE-4000-8T4G-E
• Device Type: Managed Ethernet Switch
• Port Count: 12 Ports

Technical Specifications

Device & Network Features

• Managed switch with 12 ports for flexible industrial connectivity
• Supports DIN rail mounting for compact installations
• Compatible with Fast Ethernet networks

Port & Connectivity Configuration

• 8 x 10/100 Mbps RJ-45 ports
• 4 x Combo Gigabit SFP uplink ports
• Supports up to 1000 VLAN virtual interfaces
• Handles 1000 IGMP multicast groups
• MAC address table with 16,000 entries

Routing & Management Capabilities

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

Security & Authentication Features

• Authentication support: RADIUS, TACACS+
• Advanced security: NAT, BOOTP, VLAN tagging, IGMP snooping, Syslog, DiffServ, MAC address filtering
• Storm control for broadcast, multicast, and unicast traffic

Additional Protocols & Redundancy

• Spanning Tree Protocols: STP, RSTP, MSTP
• Network redundancy support: UDLD, BFD, REP, PRP
• DHCP: Snooping, Relay, and Server capabilities
• Time synchronization via NTP and PTP
• IP source guard and IGMP filtering for secure traffic flow

Quality of Service & Advanced Features

• Supports comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS) for optimized traffic
• Industrial-grade reliability with network protection and monitoring

Compliance & Standards

• Compliant with 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
• Supports Precision Time Protocol (1588v2) and IEC 1613 for industrial networks

Memory & Expansion Options

• RAM: 512 MB
• Flash memory: 128 MB
• Expansion: 1 SD card slot (occupied)

Interfaces

• 8 x 100BASE-TX RJ-45 ports
• 4 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 uplinks
• 4 x SFP uplinks
• Mini-USB Type B and console RJ-45 interface for local management

Power Requirements

• 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 is a robust Layer 3 switch designed for industrial environments where reliability, performance, and scalability are critical. This switch offers 12 ports, including eight 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports and four Gigabit SFP uplink ports, allowing seamless integration into complex industrial networks. Engineered for harsh conditions, the IE-4000-8T4G-E is suitable for applications in manufacturing, energy, transportation, and other industries requiring uninterrupted network operations. Its rugged design ensures operation under extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, and electromagnetic interference.

Industrial Design and Reliability

Rugged Hardware Construction

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E switch is constructed with durable materials to withstand challenging industrial environments. Its metal housing is resistant to dust, moisture, and mechanical stress, ensuring long-lasting performance. The fanless design eliminates moving parts, reducing maintenance requirements and enhancing operational reliability. This makes it ideal for deployment in outdoor facilities, production floors, and remote industrial sites where environmental conditions may be unpredictable.

High Availability Features

Reliability is a cornerstone of the IE-4000 series. The switch supports advanced redundancy protocols, including Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), and Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), ensuring minimal network downtime. In addition, it supports Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) for seamless failover in mission-critical applications. These features make the IE-4000-8T4G-E an ideal choice for networks where continuous operation is non-negotiable.

Layer 3 Switching Capabilities

Advanced Routing Support

The IE-4000-8T4G-E supports Layer 3 routing, enabling efficient traffic management across industrial networks. It supports static routing, RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP protocols, allowing flexible network design and optimized data flow. These capabilities are essential for applications requiring deterministic communication and low latency, such as automation, process control, and SCADA systems. By enabling routing between VLANs, the switch reduces network congestion and improves overall operational efficiency.

Enhanced Security Features

Industrial networks often face heightened security risks, and the Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E addresses these challenges with comprehensive security measures. The switch includes support for IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and Dynamic ARP Inspection (DAI) to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate network attacks. Additionally, it supports Secure Shell (SSH), Secure Copy Protocol (SCP), and SNMPv3 for secure remote management. These features ensure that sensitive operational data remains protected against external threats.

Performance and Scalability

High Throughput and Low Latency

Equipped with eight Gigabit Ethernet ports and four Gigabit SFP uplinks, the IE-4000-8T4G-E delivers high-speed connectivity for industrial applications. The switch’s Layer 3 forwarding engine ensures low latency and efficient packet processing, which is critical for real-time industrial communications. With support for Quality of Service (QoS) policies, the switch prioritizes mission-critical traffic, ensuring uninterrupted communication for automation and control processes.

Network Expansion and Flexibility

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E offers scalable network expansion options through its SFP uplink ports. These uplinks allow for fiber optic connectivity, extending network reach over long distances while maintaining high reliability and performance. This flexibility is essential for industrial facilities with distributed network architectures, such as smart factories, transportation hubs, and energy plants. The switch supports various SFP modules, enabling seamless integration into existing network infrastructures.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

Optimized Power Consumption

The IE-4000-8T4G-E is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Its intelligent power management features reduce energy consumption without compromising performance. The switch supports IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet, which lowers power usage during periods of low network activity. These energy-saving capabilities help industrial facilities reduce operational costs while maintaining reliable network performance.

Environmental Compliance

Cisco ensures that the IE-4000 series meets global environmental standards, including RoHS and WEEE compliance. The switch is engineered for sustainable operation, minimizing its environmental footprint. Industrial organizations that prioritize green initiatives can confidently deploy the IE-4000-8T4G-E as part of their eco-conscious network infrastructure, aligning with environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

Manufacturing and Automation

In manufacturing environments, the IE-4000-8T4G-E facilitates real-time communication between automated machinery, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). Its low-latency Layer 3 switching capabilities ensure precise synchronization and control, supporting high-speed production lines and complex automation processes.

Energy and Utilities

Energy facilities, including power plants and substations, benefit from the IE-4000-8T4G-E’s reliability and security features. The switch supports critical infrastructure networks by ensuring continuous communication between monitoring systems, control devices, and SCADA platforms. Its redundancy protocols and rugged design provide resilience against power fluctuations and harsh environmental conditions.

Transportation and Smart Infrastructure

Transportation networks, such as railways, airports, and intelligent traffic systems, require high-performance switches capable of operating in demanding conditions. The IE-4000-8T4G-E provides reliable connectivity for surveillance systems, passenger information systems, and automated control systems. Its industrial-grade design ensures consistent performance in outdoor and high-vibration environments, making it an ideal choice for smart infrastructure projects.

Technical Specifications and Features

Port Configuration and Connectivity

The Cisco IE-4000-8T4G-E features eight 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports for high-speed device connectivity and four Gigabit SFP uplinks for long-distance fiber connectivity. This combination supports flexible network designs, including point-to-point and ring topologies. The switch also supports port aggregation, enhancing bandwidth and providing redundancy for critical network links.

Software and Protocol Support

The switch runs Cisco IOS Software, offering advanced features such as VLAN segmentation, IP routing, access control, and network security. Protocol support includes IPv4 and IPv6 routing, multicast routing with PIM-SM and PIM-DM, and management protocols such as SNMP, RMON, and Syslog. These software capabilities enable intelligent traffic management, security enforcement, and network monitoring, ensuring optimal network performance.

Redundancy and Resiliency

With support for redundant power supplies, ring protocols, and failover mechanisms, the IE-4000-8T4G-E ensures network resiliency in mission-critical applications. Ring redundancy protocols allow the network to recover rapidly from link or device failures, maintaining continuous operation and minimizing downtime. These features are particularly valuable in industrial sectors where network interruptions can lead to production delays or safety risks.

Temperature and Environmental Ratings

The switch operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 75°C, making it suitable for extreme environments. It is rated for high vibration and shock conditions, ensuring stable performance in industrial transportation, manufacturing, and outdoor installations. Its fanless design enhances reliability, and the device is resistant to electromagnetic interference, maintaining network integrity in electrically noisy environments.