Cisco IE-3500H-16T-E Heavy-Duty Industrial Ethernet Switch: A Complete Technical Overview

The Cisco IE-3500H-16T-E is a ruggedized, high-performance Industrial Ethernet switch designed for the most demanding outdoor and mission-critical environments. As part of the Cisco IE3500 Heavy-Duty Series, this model stands out with its IP67-rated enclosure, M12 X-coded Gigabit interfaces, and advanced hardware protection, making it ideal for transportation, mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, smart cities, and harsh industrial deployments.

Engineered to deliver reliable, secure, and deterministic networking, the IE-3500H-16T-E combines Cisco’s proven switching technology with industrial-grade durability. It runs Cisco IOS XE, supports Network Essentials licensing, and enables essential industrial networking functions with long-term stability.

Key Features of the switch

Rugged IP67 Enclosure for Harsh Environments

The switch is fully sealed, dust-tight, and resistant to water ingress thanks to its IP67 compliance. It operates reliably without the need for a protective cabinet or climate-controlled housing.

16 Gigabit Ethernet M12 X-Coded Ports

Equipped with 16 GE X-coded M12 interfaces, the switch ensures robust vibration-proof and shock-resistant connectivity—critical for mobile and rugged industrial systems such as rail, heavy vehicles, automation platforms, and outdoor infrastructure.

Extended Operating Temperature and Shock Resistance

The IE-3500H-16T-E withstands extreme temperatures, high vibration, and mechanical shock, making it suitable for unconditioned industrial spaces.

Cisco IOS XE and Network Essentials

Running Cisco IOS XE with Network Essentials, the switch provides fundamental Layer 2 features, industrial automation protocols, and secure network access control.

Fanless, Long-Life Operation

A passive cooling design eliminates airflow concerns, increases mean time between failures (MTBF), and supports continuous long-term field operation.

Technical Specifications of the IE-3500H-16T-E

Hardware Specifications

• Model: IE-3500H-16T-E
• Form Factor: Heavy-duty IP67 sealed enclosure
• Ports: 16 × 10/100/1000 Mbps M12 X-coded Ethernet ports
• Power Input:24 VDC and 48 VDC nominal (input range varies by configuration) and Dual redundant DC power inputs
• Power Consumption: Typically between 25–40 W depending on load and features
• Mounting: Panel, wall, or pole mounting brackets
• Dimensions: Industrial compact heavy-duty chassis
• Cooling: Passive, fanless

Environmental Specifications

• Ingress Protection: IP67
• Operating Temperature Range: –40°C to +75°C (model dependent)
• Shock & Vibration: Meets EN50155 and IEC standards for heavy industry
• Humidity: 5% to 95%, non-condensing

Software & Network Capabilities (Network Essentials)

• Layer 2 switching with VLAN support
• Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
• IGMP Snooping
• DHCP Snooping, Option 82
• Port security and MAC filtering
• 802.1X authentication
• Quality of Service (QoS) for industrial traffic
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) support
• Secure remote management via SSH, HTTPS, and secure SNMPv3

Applications of the Cisco IE-3500H-16T-E

Transportation and Smart Mobility

Ideal for roadside cabinets, rail vehicle networks, intelligent transportation systems, and automated traffic control requiring vibration-resistant connectors.

Manufacturing and Heavy Industry

The M12 connectors and sealed housing allow deployment directly on machinery, conveyors, and production lines.

Oil, Gas, and Mining

With its high tolerance for dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures, the IE-3500H-16T-E thrives in field installations and extraction environments.

Utilities and Smart Grid

Supports substations and distributed outdoor assets that need high-availability Ethernet with minimal maintenance.

Outdoor IoT and Smart City Infrastructure

Perfect for environments with harsh weather, unprotected installation points, and high reliability requirements.

Benefits of Deploying the IE-3500H-16T-E

Industrial Durability Without External Enclosures

Remove the need for additional cabinets, saving installation space and cost.

Reliable Gigabit Performance

Sixteen full Gigabit M12 X-coded ports ensure high-bandwidth throughput for cameras, sensors, controllers, and edge computing devices.

Long-Term Network Stability

Designed for multi-year industrial operation with minimal maintenance, reducing total cost of ownership.

Simplified Secure Remote Management

Cisco IOS XE and secure management protocols help IT and OT teams oversee distributed industrial assets efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What environments is the Cisco IE-3500H-16T-E suitable for?
It is built for harsh outdoor and industrial environments requiring IP67 protection, including transportation, mining, manufacturing, utilities, and smart city applications.

2. What type of connectors does the switch use?
The switch uses M12 X-coded connectors for all 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, providing vibration-resistant and secure physical connectivity.

3. Can the IE-3500H-16T-E operate without a protective enclosure?
Yes. Its IP67-rated housing allows direct exposure to dust, moisture, and outdoor conditions without an additional cabinet.

4. What software features are included with Network Essentials?
Network Essentials provides key Layer 2 switching, security, VLANs, QoS, and basic management and monitoring tools suitable for industrial Ethernet.

5. Does the switch support extreme temperatures?
Yes. It supports a wide operating range typically from –40°C to +75°C, suitable for unconditioned industrial locations.

For more information you can view the datasheets for CISCO IE3500H here.