Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E: Heavy-Duty Industrial Ethernet Switch with 24 GE X-Code M12 Interfaces

The Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E is part of the ruggedized IE3500 Heavy-Duty Series, engineered to deliver secure, high-bandwidth, and mission-critical networking in extreme industrial environments. Designed with IP67 protection, 24 Gigabit X-Code M12 ports, and Network Essentials software, this hardened switch provides exceptional reliability for sectors like rail, mining, outdoor automation, transportation, energy, and heavy manufacturing.

Its high durability, extended temperature support, and advanced switching performance make it an ideal choice for organizations that need long-life industrial networking hardware capable of surviving shock, vibration, moisture, dust, and electromagnetic interference.

Overview of the Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E

The Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E offers a next-generation industrial Ethernet design that addresses real-world reliability and security challenges. It blends rugged hardware, hardware-accelerated forwarding, and modern Cisco IOS XE software to create a scalable and secure industrial network foundation.

Key Benefits

• Designed for outdoor and harsh-environment deployments
• High-density 24-port Gigabit Ethernet layout for bandwidth-intensive applications
• IP67 protective enclosure—no external cabinet required
• Advanced security with Network Essentials feature set
• Extended operational temperature range
• Redundant power options for uninterrupted operations
• Built for long-term industrial lifecycle support

Rugged Industrial-Grade Design

The IE-3500H-24T-E is purpose-built for environments where traditional enterprise switches cannot survive. The hardened metal enclosure and sealed M12 connectors protect the switch against liquids, contaminants, and vibrations, making it ideal for:

• Outdoor roadside and rail installations
• Mining pits and drilling sites
• Maritime and port operations
• Heavy industrial plants
• High-EMI environments

Environmental Durability Features

• IP67 rating for water and dust protection
• Fanless design for improved reliability
• Withstands high vibration and shock
• Corrosion-resistant metal housing
• Extended operating temperature support
• Conformal coating on internal components

High-Performance Connectivity with 24 GE X-Code M12 Ports

One of the most notable features of the Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E is its 24 Gigabit Ethernet X-Code M12 interfaces. These ruggedized connectors maintain strong cable retention and signal integrity in high-vibration conditions.

Connectivity Capabilities

• 24 × 1GE M12 X-Code Ports (high-speed data transmission)
• Support for industrial automation protocols
• High bandwidth for video surveillance, sensors, SCADA, robotics, and edge computing nodes

Network Essentials Software Features

The switch comes preloaded with Network Essentials, offering all the core functions required for secure and reliable Layer 2 industrial networking.

Network Essentials Capabilities

• Layer 2 switching
• VLAN segmentation
• Basic security features (port security, MAC limiting, DHCP snooping)
• Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP)
• Access control lists (ACLs)
• Simple network management and monitoring tools

Technical Specifications of Cisco IE-3500H-24T-E

Below is a detailed list of important hardware and software specifications:

Hardware Specifications

• Model: IE-3500H-24T-E
• Port Count: 24 × 1GE X-Code M12 Ethernet ports
• Enclosure Rating: IP67 sealed housing
• Switching Capacity: 52 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 38.69 Mpps
• CPU: ARM-based multicore
• Memory: 4 GB DRAM
• Flash Storage: 4 GB
• Cooling: Fanless (convection-cooled)
• Mounting Options: Panel or DIN-rail mount, depending on environment
• EMI/EMC Ruggedization: Designed for heavy-industry compliance standards
• Power Input: Redundant low-voltage DC

Environmental Specifications

• Operating Temperature: –40°C to +70°C
• Storage Temperature: –50°C to +85°C
• Shock Resistance: Meets industrial shock-protection standards
• Vibration Resistance: Meets IEC/EN industrial vibration specs

Software Specifications (Network Essentials)

• Layer 2 switching
• VLANs and trunking
• MSTP, RSTP
• EtherChannel
• QoS traffic prioritization
• Port-based security
• DHCP snooping
• IGMP snooping
• Industrial Ethernet protocols

Ideal Use Cases for IE-3500H-24T-E

This heavy-duty switch is suitable for high-demand industrial networks that require reliable uptime, rugged construction, and long lifecycles.

Best-Fit Deployment Scenarios

• Smart transportation systems – roadside cabinets, tolling, signaling
• Industrial automation networks – PLCs, sensors, actuators
• Mining and energy – remote stations, field assets, rugged zones
• Outdoor surveillance – IP cameras, security sensors
• Rail infrastructure – onboard and trackside networking

Why Choose the IE-3500H-24T-E for Harsh Environments?

The Cisco IE3500 Heavy-Duty series stands apart due to the combination of hardened mechanical design, high-bandwidth interfaces, and Cisco’s proven industrial networking software ecosystem. The IE-3500H-24T-E provides:

• Long-term serviceability
• High MTBF and reliability
• Stable connectivity in mission-critical operations
• Simplified secure management
• Compatibility with industrial power and cabling standards

For industries where downtime or equipment failure is not an option, this switch provides the robustness and longevity required.

FAQs

1. What makes the IE-3500H-24T-E different from standard IE3500 models?
It features a heavy-duty IP67 enclosure and rugged M12 X-Code connectors, making it suitable for outdoor and extreme industrial sites where other models require protective cabinets.

2. Can this switch operate in extreme temperatures?
Yes, it is built to operate reliably between –40°C and +70°C, making it ideal for harsh outdoor and industrial settings.

3. Does the switch support PoE/PoE+?
The switch is a non-PoE variant with 24 Gigabit Ethernet M12 data ports. Other heavy-duty IE3500 models may support PoE depending on configuration.

4. What software is included with this model?
The switch comes with the Network Essentials feature set, providing secure Layer 2 switching and core industrial network capabilities.

5. Is the IE-3500H-24T-E suitable for transportation applications like rail or road systems?
Yes. Its rugged design, vibration tolerance, and IP67 rating make it ideal for railcars, trackside systems, roadside infrastructure, and smart transportation deployments.

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