SCALANCE X-400 Product Line:
The Modular High-Performance Switches

The SCALANCE X-400 consists of the Industrial Ethernet switches SCALANCE X414-3E or X408-2, media modules supplementing the switch with optical ports, and extenders for increasing the number of ports. 10/100/1000 Mbit for Twisted Pair and fiber-optic conductors are supported. Hot swapping of the fiber-optic modules and extenders is possible. Already the comprehensive basic configuration includes up to 4 Gigabit Ethernet Twisted Pair ports for connecting the SCALANCE X-400 switches and up to 12 integrated Fast Ethernet Twisted Pair ports.

With the integrated Layer 3 switching functionality (routing), it is possible to divide large Ethernet networks into smaller Ethernet networks with their own IP address space (subnet) or to connect subnets to each other. Some reasons for dividing a network into subnets:

• Separating the Ethernet network to reduce the volume of traffic
• Separating sensitive sections from the main network
• Separating the network into logical work groups
• Separating networks by departments and divisions

Redundant Layer 3 switching (routing) is achieved with the integrated VRRP function (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol). The integrated dynamic routing protocol OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) and RIP (Routing Information Protocol) regulate the communication between the SCALANCE X414-3Es that are configured as Layer 3 switches (routers) or other routers.

The SCALANCE X408-2 permits redundant coupling of Gigabit rings over Gigabit paths. The integrated redundancy manager (RM) continuously monitors the network function. Within a maximum of 300 ms, it switches to a substitute path. Rings consisting of SCALANCE X-400 switches can be operated at Gigabit rates, rings comprising X-400 and X-200 with 100 Mbit/s.

SCALANCE X-400 switches support the standardized redundancy procedure Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP). Thus an automation network can be integrated redundantly into a company network. Since SCALANCE X-400 switches support "virtual" networks (VLAN), this permits the integration in "Security Policies" or the networks can be divided into segments.

When multicast-based protocols are used, e.g. for video transmission, SCALANCE X-400 switches learn by means of IGMP Snooping which station wants to receive the multicast message frames and when. The multicast message frames are only forwarded to the corresponding ports. Load thresholds also limit multicasts and broadcasts.

As a PROFINET IO device, the SCALANCE X-400 can simply be integrated in the configuration and system diagnostics of STEP7. The integrated configuration and diagnostics integrated into SIMATIC STEP 7 provide significant benefits during the engineering, start-up and operating phases of a plant

Covers protect the Fast Ethernet Twisted Pair ports of SCALANCE X-400. They also permit labeling of the ports. When the covers are removed, the ports can be easily accessed from the front. In combination with the PROFINET-compliant connector IE FC RJ45 Plug 180, up to 100 m long direct connections can be set up; distributors and wall sockets are not required. The retaining collar on the device together with the cover ensures a flush fit, and the locking mechanism with the IE FC RJ-45 Plug 180 provides a rugged, industry-standard connection of stations that provides strain and bending relief for the RJ45 socket.

The configuration data is automatically saved on a Configuration Plug (C-PLUG). If a device needs to be replaced, the C-PLUG is simply inserted in the replacement device. Without requiring reconfiguration, the replacement component starts up with the same device configuration.

The configuration and diagnostics features integrated into STEP 7 provide significant benefits during the engineering, commissioning and operating phases of a plant.