Data Sheet

Data Sheet
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Cisco Catalyst 2955S-12—Twelve 10/100 ports and two fixed 100BASE-LX single-mode
uplink ports
Intelligence in the New Ethernet Networks
Currently, non-Ethernet Layer 2 networks are evolving from traditional field buses or proprietary
technologies to standards-based Ethernet networks. The progression to Ethernet is driven by a
multitude of factors, including:
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Standardization—There are hundreds of millions of Ethernet devices around the world;
Ethernet has become the prevalent Layer 2 technology based on widely adopted standards.
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IP Connectivity—Ethernet is the most ubiquitous Layer 2 technology for Internet
connectivity, in turn providing unprecedented communications potential to networks that
have been traditionally isolated.
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Bandwidth—Orders of magnitude above other existing technologies, Ethernet takes
advantage of the increased computational power of the new network hosts (I/O devices,
motion machinery, sensors, intelligent electronic devices, etc.) being deployed today. This
allows for real-time control and data gathering for a multitude of applications that were not
previously feasible, including preventive maintenance, total quality control monitoring,
remote monitoring, and asset management and optimization.
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Multiple services on a single infrastructure—Intelligent Ethernet allows a single network
to carry multiple vendor implementations of control (EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, Foundation
Fieldbus High Speed Ethernet [HSE] and various Advanced Traffic Management Systems
[ATMSs]), and to use the same investment to also deliver traditional voice (telephony), data
(e-mail, technical support, and browsing), and video services (video monitoring).
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Multilayer Integration—All of the elements described above allow for the integration of
higher-level applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing
execution systems (MES), and advanced traffic management systems to the floor control
layer (programmable logic controllers [PLCs], PC-based control systems, traffic control
equipment, and human-machine interfaces [HMIs]). This allows for a true flow of data and
automation from the demand side (customer placing and order) to the factory floor
(assembly line) or from the monitoring devices in a freeway all the way to the emergency
response systems, as well as real-time control in SCADA applications. As organizations
increasingly rely on Ethernet networks, it is important to help ensure high availability,
security, scalability, and control. By adding Cisco IOS Software functionality to new network
applications, users can now deploy network-wide intelligent services that address these
requirements in a consistent way—from the I/O or monitoring device to the core and through
the WAN.
Network Security through Advanced Security Features
Cisco Catalyst 2955 Series Switches offer enhanced data security through numerous security
features. These features allow customers to enhance network security with capabilities to secure
traffic through the protection of passwords and configuration information; to provide options for
network security based on users, ports, and Media Access Control (MAC) addresses; and to
enable more immediate reactions to intruder and hacker detection.