• Configuration of electrical Industrial Ethernet line, star and ring topologies
• Integral redundancy manager for setting up ring topologies
• Integral standby function for redundant coupling of two rings
• Extremely short cycle times with highly accurate clock-pulse rates thanks to integrated real-time functions
• Bumpless ring redundancy by sending message frames twice in the ring, by means of PROFINET-compliant MRPD procedure (Media Redundancy for Planned Duplication according to IEC 61158)
• System-wide clock accuracy (deviation less than 1 ms)
• Uncrossed connecting cables can be used due to Autocrossover function integrated in the ports
• Easy diagnostics using signaling contact, SNMP and Web browser
• Integration into the diagnostics of a PROFINET IO Controller by means of real-time communication (RT) according to the PROFINET standard
• Fast device replacement in the event of a fault by using the optional C-PLUG swap medium (not included in scope of supply)

Network topology and network configuration

The SCALANCE XF204IRT Industrial Ethernet switch with IP30 degree of protection is installed in a control cabinet together with the stations to be connected. It can be combined electrically in star, line and ring topologies.

When configuring the network, it is necessary to observe the following boundary conditions:

• Length of the TP cable between two SCALANCE XF switches:
  • Max. 100 m with IE FC cable and IE FC RJ45 Plug 180
• IP Address:
  The IP address is assigned using the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) mechanism. If there is no corresponding server in the network, the IP address can be assigned using the supplied software tool PST (Primary Setup Tool) or STEP 7. The device and real-time configuration of the SCALANCE XF204IRT switch is performed via STEP 7.

SCALANCE XF204IRT with ET 200S and SIMATIC Microbox in compact control cabinets or boxes

Commissioning and diagnosis

PROFINET diagnostic interrupts from SCALANCE XF204IRT can be displayed with the appropriate SIMATIC Engineering Tools and processed in the controller with expanded diagnostics function. The engineering outlay for the PLC and HMI have been drastically reduced due to the complete integration in the SIMATIC concept for system error messages.

The SCALANCE XF204IRT Industrial Ethernet switch can also be integrated into a network management system, e.g. SINEMA Server, through the standardized Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). In the event of a fault in the device, error messages (SNMP traps) can be sent to a network system or as e-mail to a specified network administrator.

The integral Web server enables configuration and diagnostics settings to be made using a standard browser (e.g. port configuration). Statistical information can also be read out over the Web server (e.g. port capacity utilization).

The following information is displayed by LEDs on site:

• Power
• Port status
• Data traffic
• Signaling contact
• Redundancy manager function