SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) (cont’d)
A feature of SNMP supported by ROS™ is the ability to generate "traps" upon system events. A NMS can record traps from multiple devices providing a powerful network troubleshooting tool. RuggedVueTM is RuggedCom's NMS that provides graphical visualization of the network and is fully integrated with all RuggedCom products.
SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol)
SNTP automatically synchronizes the internal clock of all ROS™ devices on the network. This allows for correlation of time stamped events for troubleshooting.
SCADA and Industrial Automation
ROS™ contains features that optimize network performance and simplify switch management based on the unique requirements found in SCADA and industrial automation applications. Features such as Modbus TCP management for retrieval of switch data using the ubiquitous Modbus protocol and DHCP Option 82, a Rockwell Automation ODVA requirement for IP address assignment based on the location of the end device, provide capabilities not found in typical "commercial" or "office grade" Ethernet switches.
Port Based Network Access Control (802.1x)
ROS™ supports the IEEE 802.1x standard that defines
a mechanism for port-based network access control which provides a means of authenticating and authorizing devices attached to LAN ports.
Port Rate Limiting
ROS™ supports configurable rate limiting per port to limit unicast and multicast traffic. This can be essential to managing precious network bandwidth for service providers. It also provides edge security for denial of service
(DOS) attacks.
Broadcast Storm Filtering
Broadcast storms wreak havoc on a network and can cause attached devices to malfunction. This could be disastrous on a network with mission critical equipment. ROS™ limits this by filtering broadcast frames with a user-defined threshold.
Link Fault Indication™
Some intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) have dual fiber optic ports with automatic failover to a backup port should the primary fail. ROS™ ensures this mechanism works reliably under all failure modes by appropriately disabling link signals when required. ROS™ also flushes learned MAC addresses to ensure the failover occurs quickly.
Port Mirroring
ROS™ can be configured to duplicate all traffic on one port to a designated mirror port. When combined with a network analyzer, this can be a powerful troubleshooting tool.
ROSTM Features
Port Configuration and Status
ROS™ allows individual ports to be 'hard' configured
for speed, duplex, auto-negotiation, flow control and more. This allows proper connection with devices that do not negotiate or have unusual settings. Detailed status of ports with alarm and SNMP trap on link problems aid greatly in system troubleshooting.
Port Statistics and RMON (Remote Monitoring)
ROS™ provides continuously updating statistics per port that provide both ingress and egress packet and byte counters as well as detailed error figures. Also provided is full support for the RMON statistics, history, alarms, and event groups. RMON allows for very sophisticated data collection, analysis and detection of traffic patterns.
Event Logging and Alarms
ROS™ records all significant events to a non-volatile system log allowing forensic troubleshooting. Events include link failure and recovery, unauthorized access, broadcast storm detection, and self-test diagnostics among others. Alarms provide a snapshot of recent events that have yet to be acknowledged by the network administrator. An external hardware relay is de-energized during the presence of critical alarms allowing an external controller to react if desired.
HTML Web Browser and Telnet User Interfaces
ROS™ provides a simple, intuitive user interface for configuration and monitoring via a standard graphical web browser or via Telnet. All system parameters include detailed on-line help to make setup a breeze. ROS™ , presents a common look and feel and standardized configuration process allowing easy migration to other RuggedCom managed products.
Configuration via ASCII Text File
All configuration parameters are stored in an ASCII formatted text file that can easily be transferred via TFTP or Xmodem. The configuration file can be saved for backup purposes and easily manipulated by a text editor. The same text file can be downloaded to the switch at a later date in order to re-configure or restore
a previous configuration.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
A command line interface can be used in conjunction with remote shell to automate data retrieval, configuration updates, and firmware upgrades. A powerful SQL-like capability allows expert users the ability to selectively retrieve or manipulate any parameters the device
has to offer.
