Stratix 2000

Stratix 2000 Selection Guide

Stratix 2000 Overview

The Stratix 2000 (Bulletin 1783) are compact, unmanaged, industrial-grade Ethernet switches developed by Rockwell Automation. They offer a low-cost control solution for small, isolated industrial networks requiring highly reliable network connectivity.

Unmanaged Ethernet switches function like plug-and-play devices, allowing Ethernet devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) to communicate without any user intervention. They do so by providing a connection to the LAN network with no management function. As such, unmanaged Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches provide “Plug-and-Play” operation for quick and easy network integration–you have to plug them into the network for them to operate. They also centralize communications among multiple Ethernet devices connected within one LAN network.

Features

The Allen-Bradley Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches feature the following:

• A Compact switch design for optimized installation space.
• Fiber and Copper Port Options: They include various combinations of copper and fiber (SFP) port solutions, ranging from 5 to 18 ports. The fiber ports use small form-factor pluggable (SFP) interface modules for increased network flexibility.
• High Data Transmission Rates: The available Stratix 2000 switches include copper and fiber (SFP) ports that support up to 1 Gbps (Gigabyte per second) data transfer speeds, enabling high network performance and increased flexibility.
• Dual Power Inputs: Stratix 2000 switches can operate on either DC or AC power. This helps to maximize their uptime in harsh working environments.   
• They require no hardware or software configuration. Instead, these switches use simple Ethernet cable connections to network with Allen-Bradley Logix-based controllers.
• Ability to auto-negotiate duplex and speed settings.
• Industrial-grade metallic enclosures with IP20 to IP30 environmental ratings for enhanced environmental protection. 
• An extended operating temperature range of -40 °F to 158 °F (-40 °C to 75 °C) in select Stratix 2000 switch models to meet an extensive array of industrial applications.
• Broadcast/Multicast storm protection protects against unwanted multicast or broadcast network traffic, enhancing network reliability.
• Ability to automatically detect cross-over-cable connections.

How to Select the Right Stratix 2000 Ethernet Switch

Careful planning before purchasing an Ethernet switch can help ensure that the selected switch has the functionalities and features required by your application, or its capabilities can be expanded as your application needs change and grow.

The Stratix 2000 (Bulletin 1783) unmanaged Ethernet switch models are available in different sizes, features, and functions. Hence, choosing the right Stratix 2000 switch to best match the requirements of a particular network can sometimes be daunting. Here are a few valuable guidelines that can assist you in selecting the most appropriate Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch for your network.

A) Network Requirements

The connection requirements of a given network typically dictate what type of Ethernet switch will be needed. Therefore, before choosing a specific Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch for your application, ensure that you review the following:

• Number of users to be supported by the network.
• The network’s basic infrastructure.
• Needs of the network users. For example, do they require a Gigabit Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network?
• The role of the Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch – will it be used as an access switch, a distribution switch, or a core switch?

B) Number of Ports

The basic infrastructure of a LAN network and the number of users it supports determines the number of ports required in the Ethernet switch to be used. For example, if your network will support only 5 or 6 users, then a small 8-port Stratix 2000 switch will likely be enough for your needs. Available Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches include different combinations of copper and fiber (SFP) port solutions, ranging from a total of 5 to 16 ports.

The number of ports included in an Ethernet switch is one of the main factors influencing its cost. Thus, buying a Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch that will only support the exact number of your network users will probably save a considerable amount of money.

C) Types of Ports and Supported Network Speeds

Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches are available in Gigabit Ethernet (GE) and Fast Ethernet (FE) data transmission technologies. Gigabit Ethernet allows up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) of network traffic per Stratix 2000 switch port, while Fast Ethernet provides up to 100 Mbps of network traffic per Stratix 2000 switch port. Gigabit Ethernet is currently the most popular interface speed, although Fast Ethernet is still mainly used, especially in cost-sensitive applications.

Where the cost of the Ethernet switch is a significant concern.

Stratix 2000 switch ports are copper ports that include RJ45 connectors on the front side, allowing data transmission distances up to 100 meters. They may also be a combination of SFP fiber ports + slots or just SFP fiber ports for fiber connectivity. The SFP fiber modules allow data transmission distances of up to 40 kilometers.

Here is a list of the available Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches, their ports combination, and supported network speeds.

1. 1783-US4T1F Switch: This Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch has four (4) Fast Ethernet copper (RJ45) ports that provide 10/100 Mbps network speeds. It also includes one (1) pre-installed Multimode 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet) fiber SFP module.
2. 1783-US5T Switch:** It includes five (5) Fast Ethernet RJ45 ports that provide 10/100 Mbps network speeds. The 1783-US5T switch module has a multicast storm threshold rating of 200 pps (packets per second) for 100 Mbps per switch port or 20 pps for 10 Mbps per switch port.   
3. 1783-US5TG Switch: This Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch includes five (5) Gigabit Ethernet copper (RJ45) ports. These switch ports support 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) network speeds. Also, the 1783-US5TG switch has a multicast storm threshold rating of 25 Mbps per switch port.
4. 1783-US6T2H Switch: This unmanaged Ethernet switch has six (6) Fast Ethernet–10/100 Mbps– copper (RJ45) ports. It also includes two (2) Single-mode Fast Ethernet (100 meg.) fiber SFP modules, which are pre-installed.
5. 1783-US6T2F Switch: It includes six (6) Fast Ethernet copper (RJ45) ports, supporting 10/100 Mbps network speeds. It also has two (2) Multimode Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) fiber SFP modules. The two FE Multimode fiber SFP modules are pre-installed.  
6. 1783-US7T1F Switch: It is equipped with seven (7) Fast Ethernet–10/100 Mbps– copper (RJ45) ports. Also, it includes one (1) pre-installed Multimode 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet fiber SFP module**.** This switch also features a fiber SFP slot.
7. 1783-US8T Switch: This Ethernet switch has eight (8) Fast Ethernet copper (RJ45) ports.
8. 1783-US16T Switch: This Stratix 2000 switch includes sixteen (16) Fast Ethernet RJ45 ports. It has a broadcast storm threshold of 10 Mbps per switch port.

D) Power Requirements

To find a Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch that’s right for your network, choose based on your LAN network's power needs. Therefore, you’ll need to consider the specified power input, power consumption or power dissipation (maximum), and inrush current (maximum) of the Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch you intend to select.

Below are the power ratings of some currently available Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches.

1. 1783-US5TG/B Switch: This is a Series B Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch that requires a power input of 24V AC/DC, 12 to 48V DC, or 18 to 30V AC at 50/60 Hz (Hertz). Its input voltage is set to the Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) level, which helps prevent the risk of electric shock if the user touches the input voltage in the event of switch malfunction or during normal operation. But adequate protection should still be provided in the case of an insulation failure. Its inrush current (maximum) is 0.33 Amperes, while its power consumption (maximum) is 4.5 Watts.
2. 1783-US5T/B Switch: This switch operates reliably with an input voltage of 24V DC/AC, set at SELV level. It supports a DC input power range of between 12…48V DC and an AC input power range of 18…30V AC at an input frequency of 60/50 Hz. Also, it has a power consumption (maximum) of 3.4 Watts and an inrush current (max) of 1.85 A (Amperes).
3. 1783-US7T1F/A: This is a Series A Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch that requires a supply voltage of 24Volts DC/AC, and it supports input power ranges of 18…30V AC at 60/50 Hz and 18…60V DC, SELV/Class 2 voltage levels. Its power dissipation (maximum) is 5.927 Watts, while its inrush current (max) is 1.06 Amperes.
4. 1783-US16T/B:  This switch can operate reliably with a supply voltage of 18…30V DC or 12…48V AC at 50/60 Hz input frequency. Its specified inrush current (maximum) is 0.47 Amperes, with a power consumption (max) of 8.0 Watts.

Also, selecting a Stratix 2000 switch with a redundant power circuit for connecting to uninterruptible power supplies is recommended to allow the switch to continue operating even when regular supply power fails.

Note: Stratix 2000 switches do not implement power over the Ethernet (POE) – PoE is the ability of an Ethernet switch to deliver power to a network device over the existent Ethernet cabling. So, if the selected Stratix 2000 switch is not POE enabled, the attached network devices, such as wireless access points (WAP), routers, bridges, and repeaters, will require a separate power supply.

E) Network Media Compatibility

Network media in Ethernet connections often refers to the different cables and accessories used to create the connections. The most common network cable types used in Ethernet communication systems are coaxial, twisted pair, and fiber optic cables.

Before selecting a given Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch, ensure it’s compatible with the existing network media. In general, Stratix 2000 switches are compatible with Cat5e 100BASE-TX Ethernet cables. 100BASE-TX is a form of Fast Ethernet that runs over the Cat5e twisted pair cables.  

Most of the available Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch models include an Ethernet media module –Catalog No. 1585J-M8TBJM-1M9 – with the following specifications: 1585 Cat5e Ethernet Cables, 100BASE-TX and 100 Mbit/s cable bandwidth, RJ45 connectors, 8(4-pair) conductors, Teal Robotic TPE, high-flex, unshielded twisted pair cable type, 24 AWG cable size,  straight male connectors, and standard cable crossover. The cables’ environmental ratings are as follows: sunlight, oil, and weld splatter-resistant, UL CMG, CMX, and cUL CMG certified, high-flex rated, and compliant with TIA 568-B standards.

F) Network Performance

Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches are provided with ratings that indicate the speed of the network connection they support. However, the speed supported by an Ethernet switch is not the only measure of network performance. Network latency–delay in network communication, which affects the time it takes for a user’s request for data to be actualized– is another element of network performance influenced by the type of Ethernet switch in use.

Networks with a high latency are pretty slow. They can hamper your enterprise operations, causing longer delays or lag in everything from creating customer product quotations to processing employees’ payment requests. On the other hand, low-latency networks provide fast response times and are more reliable, enabling business operations to run smoothly while paving the way for network expansion. Thus, selecting a high-end Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch can help protect against problems associated with high network latency.

G) Scalability

The networking needs of an enterprise are likely to increase as the business expands. This often requires the addition of more Ethernet switches to provide network connectivity to the increasing number of Ethernet devices in the Local Area Network.

However, how the multiple switches get connected can significantly affect the performance of a particular LAN network. For instance, in some network infrastructures, each hop between the Ethernet switches can reduce bandwidth by 50%. To prevent this, ensure that the network design and the selected Stratix 2000 switches can allow multiple Ethernet switches to be configured together without compromising the network’s performance.

Stackable Ethernet switches are an ideal solution to future network expansion needs. Because with a stackable Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch, you can connect all the stack Ethernet devices in a ring network topology. This can help provide a simplified network design and increase the availability of the LAN network. For example, if a switch port or an Ethernet cable fails, the switch stack can automatically avoid that failure, often at microsecond speeds. Also, with a switch stacking solution, you can add more Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches and have them automatically recognized and added to your network without impacting its performance.

H) Environmental Specifications

Application environments for different Ethernet switches are different. For example, industrial-grade Stratix 2000 Ethernet switches are usually housed in high-strength metallic casings in a no-fan heat dissipation switch construction. Also, they have an extended operating temperature range of -40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 75°C), which enables them to adapt to a wide array of industrial application scenarios. Moreover, their insulation protection ratings range from IP20 to IP30, with exceptional humidity and dust accumulation prevention capabilities, meaning they can be installed in extreme industrial environments for regular operation.

On the other hand, ordinary Ethernet switches used in home and commercial networks are primarily enclosed in plastic casings with relatively low environmental protection; they are rarely humidity or dustproof. While their operating temperature ranges from 32°F to 122°F (0°C to 50°C), and they are fan cooled.

Therefore, for industrial applications, select a Stratix 2000 Ethernet switch whose environmental ratings and operating temperature specifications will allow it to function correctly and reliably in the intended working environment.