Network products like Ethernet switches are not typically viewed as military components, since transferring document files, spreadsheets, and e-mail messages seems better suited to civilian life than the battlefield. However, as was the case with mobile radios and cell phones, networking has become a valuable tool for troops defending the homeland. Of course, these military-grade networking tools are considerably more rugged (and expensive) than commercial-grade products. In particular, Ethernet switches developed for the battlefield can withstand just about anything short of a nuclear attack.

For homeland defense applications, Parvus targets cost-sensitive networking with its rugged DuraNET 10-10 Ethernet switch (Fig. 1). Geared toward civilian defense and mobile tactical and critical infrastructure applications, it features a dust- and waterproof design with IP67 protection. It offers extended temperature operation from −40 to +85°C; it also provides five 10/100 plug-and-play Ethernet ports, in the form of field-deployable RJ-45 or M12 connectors, in a sealed and fanless metal chassis.

The DuraNET 10-10 Ethernet switch can handle wide thermal variations, shock, vibration, dust particles, and liquid immersion. It is an unmanaged Ethernet switch that provides local-area-network (LAN) connectivity to IP-enabled equipment, for situation awareness and information sharing. Requiring no configuration for operation, the unit also supports auto-MDI-MDIX network installation. Any of the five transceiver ports can serve as an uplink. Other features include support for auto-crossover, auto-polarity, auto-negotiation, and bridge-loop prevention, plus its non-blocking switching fabric promises reliable data transmissions at wire speed.

For battlefield use, Israeli company Milper Ltd. offers MRS-2955 Series Ethernet switches that are mountable in any orientation and operate reliably in harsh environments (Fig. 2). These switches integrate into systems where environmental conditions or suspended solid concentrations exceed specifications of other commercial or standard-industrial switching components. For example, the MRS-2955 operates at high temperatures, vibration, shock, humidity, rain, and dust in accordance with IAW MIL-STD-810E. Its EMC protection meets MIL-STD-461 and the internal power supply complies with MIL-STD-1275.

The MRS-2955 provides enhanced intelligent services features for additional security, advanced quality of service (QoS), and high availability. Intelligent services ensure critical support for reliability and determinism of high-quality Layer 2 solutions for military deployments. Intelligent services include Layers 2-4 traffic prioritization, rate limiting, and security filtering. According to Milper, multiple MRS-2955 switches are easy to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot via a Web browser. For larger deployments, the switches support simple network management protocol (SNMP) -based network management platforms.

For mobile applications, the RES-210 Ethernet switch from GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms is suitable for in-vehicle deployment (Fig. 3). Compact and light in weight, it supports IPv4 and IPv6 for investment longevity. In addition, it employs a MIL-STD-704E- and MIL-STD-1275B-compliant power supply for flexibility. According to GE Fanuc, the RES-210 is one of the smallest, lightest 10-port fully managed Layer 2/3+ Gigabit Ethernet switches available. Its 28-V power supply allows for deployment and configuration in ground vehicles and aircraft.

Employing the company’s CP923RC Gigabit Ethernet switch, the RES-210 is housed in a small, rugged chassis. It also relies on GE Fanuc’s OpenWare switch management environment, which provides integrated management services including configuration, monitoring, switching control, addressing, and routing. Configuration and monitoring functions are via a serial console.