Media converter

GE Digital Energy has announced the Multilin MultiNet4, a media converter that offers four independently configurable serial ports and an integrated, fully managed four-port ethernet switch.

This latest addition to the Multilin family of serial-to-ethernet media converters supports large networks and provides an economical option for serial-to-ethernet protocol conversion for intelligent electronic devices and other serial devices.

The converter is suitable for companies using IEDs or Multilin relays.

The unit connects serial devices to new or existing ethernet networks. Its four serial ports can connect up to 128 serial Modbus devices.

For the most optimised collection of data across multiple serial ports, it uses individually configurable serial ports that can be set to work at different speeds and with different Modbus TCP port settings.

Each port can be configured for RS232 or RS485 serial devices, which provides greater flexibility in what can be connected.

As part of a complete industrial or utility-based networking solution, the MultiNet4 includes techniques to ensure the highest levels of network manageability and security. Using industry standards, it provides a security toolkit including authentication and encryption, remote access and password control, port security, and event logging and alarming of unauthorised access.

In addition to network-enabling Modbus serial devices and providing full network and device management capabilities, its built-in four-port ethernet switch ensures reliable connectivity to a LAN, both upstream to SCADA and management applications, as well as downstream to other ethernet devices.