Antaira Technologies has introduced a rugged managed Ethernet switch engineered for harsh industrial environments. The new LMP model features 18 M12 x-coded ports designed to resist vibration, dust, and moisture—plus support for PoE+ and long-range fiber connections. Dual power inputs and sub-50ms failover recovery help ensure continuous operation, even in the event of link or node failures. Built-in protocols like TACACS+, SSH, and SSL provide advanced network security. Designed for industrial IoT applications, the LMP switch enables reliable, high-performance networking in environments where consumer-grade infrastructure can’t survive.
A collection of industrial Ethernet switches. Image used courtesy of Antaira
Building A Network
Industrial Ethernet works by sending messages to devices with specific IP addresses. Every device on the network has a unique IP address, and each device is connected to a switch. The Ethernet switch combines multiple devices on the same network. By using a managed switch, special functions such as VLAN management, NAT protocols, and user management are unlocked. These features allow more control over the network and which devices can talk to each other. Recently, Antaira Technologies released an industrial Ethernet switch designed to operate in harsh conditions.
The LMP Managed Switch
Harsh conditions exist in virtually any industry and can wreak havoc on devices that are not designed for those types of environments. The LMP Ethernet switch is an advanced managed switch with 18 M12 x-coded ports. These ports are designed to withstand vibrations, dust, and moisture. Two 1G/10G SFP fiber slots are provided to support long-range communication. Each port supports up to 30 watts for PoE+ devices. All these features are packed into a rugged, industrial-looking housing that can operate in temperature ranges of -40°C to 70°C.
The LMP Ethernet switch from Antaira. Image used courtesy of Antaira
Continuous Operation
Network outages can be costly, which is why Antaira has built in some features to reduce the recovery time in the event of a failed node or link. The LMP offers dual power input redundancy. This prevents the switch from losing power if the power supply fails. If a link or node goes down, the LMP is equipped with the G8032 ERPS v2 protocol, which ensures a recovery time of less than 50ms. If a critical network device is disabled, the LMP switch can bypass that device and keep the other devices alive on the network.
Switch Security
You must ensure the device is secure when a switch has this many programmable features. Antaira has equipped its switch with enterprise-level multi-user accounts with privilege level control. The LMP also supports TACACS+ authentication, SSH, and SSL cryptographic protocols to help secure your switch.
An AGV that would likely use an industrial network. Image used courtesy of Unsplash
IoT And Industrial Ethernet
As the customer demand for IoT devices increases, so does the requirement for secure managed switches. However, the IT infrastructure is not designed for the factory floor. RJ45 connectors will often wiggle out of their ports, causing a loss of production for the factory. With the LMP Ethernet switch, machine builders and process automation companies can build industrial networks for harsh environments and not worry about networks failing because of degrading Ethernet switches.
