The Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH, Neckartenzlingen, will be offering the managed switches of the Rail, MICE, PowerMICE and MACH 4000 product families from August 2006 with special software packages, so-called Industrial Profiles. These network components can then be totally integrated in the three standard protocols PROFINET, EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP. The respective profiles can be selected through the Webshop-Configurator OpenRail and are then copied onto the switches at the factory. This software can also be exchanged later over the Internet. “With this concept Hirschmann adopts a pioneer role as a neutral manufacturer of network equipment”, the Head of Marketing, Dr.
Klaus Zwerina explains. “Because then not only do the standard protocols of large automation manufacturers become accessible to all Ethernet users but at the same time Hirschmann switches can also be integrated in the application software of these manufacturers.“ This integration enables both the configuration and monitoring of the network components according to the plug&play principle. Dr. Zwerina on this topic: “This enables a homogeneous, plant-wide engineering from the simple commissioning through the smooth integration in the diagnostic concept to the comfortable exchange of defective components by automatic assignment of the configuration parameters“.
