News & Events

Rockwell Automation and Cisco Make the Switch

In 2008, Rockwell Automation will introduce a full portfolio of industrial Ethernet switches and media, featuring a Rockwell Automation and Cisco co-branded line of managed switches. This builds upon an initial collaboration between the two companies for converging IT and manufacturing networks. These benefits will be further detailed in an educational webcast seminar aimed at IT and manufacturing business leaders and decision makers.



Reference Architectures provide integrating manufacturing and IT for seamless enterprise-wide connectivity that will help manufacturers meet global business demands. This is why Rockwell Automation and Cisco have built joint Reference Architectures to focus on market education best practices for global manufacturers leveraging EtherNet/IP standard networking technologies.

Reference Architectures are a series of documents including tested detailed design and implementation guidance and best practices for a converged network architecture, bringing together relevant applications, technologies, and principles allowing manufacturing and IT organisations to eliminate guesswork and decrease implementation costs while providing security, flexibility and visibility of information to the manufacturing enterprise.

Learn more here:
http://www.ab.com/networks/architectures.html


Modular managed switches
Modular managed switches are a line of jointly collaborated on co-branded industrial managed switches and are the first of its kind. It includes features optimised for both IT and manufacturing environments, combining the best of Cisco and Rockwell Automation in an industrial product line.

The switch line uses the current Cisco Catalyst® operating system, feature set and user interface, making IT professionals feel at home. At the same time, it provides easier set-up and comprehensive diagnostic information from within the Rockwell Automation Integrated ArchitectureTM.

Users have the benefits of CIP tags and configuration screens in RSLogix 5000, as well as diagnostic faceplates for FactoryTalk View, which is the preferred way for controls and automation professionals to integrate networked devices. Modular and industrially rated, the product line scales from 6 to 26 ports with options for copper and fibre to meet a variety of applications.

Rockwell Automation has complemented the co-branded products, services and solutions with a suite of fixed managed and unmanaged switches and media. Ideal when enterprise network integration is less critical and where Cisco integrated technology is unnecessary.

Webcast - An educational series
Join Cisco and Rockwell Automation for the first in a series of webcasts as both companies discuss and present insights into the latest trends related to convergence of network technologies and organisations occurring across manufacturing.

This first webcast will provide an overview of the latest trends and business drivers of convergence, key challenges and opportunities related to the convergence of technologies and organisational cultures, and best practices and insights from manufacturers.

For further information and to register your interest in these webcasts, please send an e-mail to: EIP-emea@ra.rockwell.com