Cisco IE-3500H-14P2T-E Heavy-Duty Industrial Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco IE-3500H-14P2T-E is a ruggedized, IP67-rated industrial Ethernet switch engineered for mission-critical environments where reliability, environmental resilience, and secure connectivity are mandatory. Part of the Cisco IE3500 Heavy-Duty series, this model is optimized for applications in transportation, rail, mining, outdoor automation, energy distribution, and harsh industrial edge deployments.

Built with X-Code M12 connectors and a fanless, hardened enclosure, the IE-3500H-14P2T-E provides high-performance Gigabit Ethernet switching, PoE/PoE+ power delivery, and Cisco’s advanced Industrial Ethernet operating system, ensuring enterprise-grade security and automation at the rugged edge.

Key Capabilities of the IE-3500H-14P2T-E

Rugged Industrial-Grade Design for Harsh Environments

The switch is built for environments exposed to shock, vibration, dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Its IP67 enclosure enables outdoor and harsh-process-area installations without requiring protective cabinets.

Reliable Gigabit Connectivity with X-Code M12 Interfaces

The platform provides 14 Gigabit Ethernet PoE/PoE+ ports and 2 Gigabit uplink M12 X-Code ports, delivering secure and stable connectivity to devices such as cameras, sensors, access points, and industrial controllers.

PoE/PoE+ Power Delivery for Industrial Deployments

The PoE/PoE+ capability allows direct powering of edge devices, reducing cabling complexity and enabling simplified system design, particularly for smart transportation and surveillance applications.

Optimized for Edge Compute and Industrial Automation

With Cisco’s next-generation software features, the switch supports advanced security, segmentation, time-sensitive networking (TSN) capabilities, and zero-touch provisioning, making it ideal for both OT and IT environments.

Network Essentials Licensing Included

This model comes with the Network Essentials feature set, offering enterprise-class switching, diagnostics, security features, monitoring, and Layer 2 capabilities suitable for most industrial automation networks.

Technical Specifications of Cisco IE-3500H-14P2T-E

Hardware and Interface Specifications

• Model: IE-3500H-14P2T-E
• Form Factor: Heavy-Duty, IP67-rated industrial switch
• Interface Type: M12 X-Code rugged connectors
• Total Ports: 16
• PoE/PoE+ Downlink Ports: 14 × GE M12 X-Code PoE/PoE+
• Uplink Ports: 2 × GE M12 X-Code
• Maximum PoE Power Budget: Up to 240W (varies by external power source)
• Switching Capacity: 40 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 29.7 Mpps
• Latency: <10 µs (typical, depending on configuration)

Environmental and Mechanical Specifications

• Ingress Protection: IP67 (dust-tight and waterproof)
• Operating Temperature Range: –40°C to +75°C (model dependent)
• Shock and Vibration: Compliant with IEC 60068
• EMI/EMC: Meets industrial and transportation standards
• Cooling: Fanless, convection cooled
• Mounting: Panel, wall, or DIN options (varies by accessory)

Software & Security Features (Network Essentials)

• Layer 2 switching features including VLANs, STP, RSTP, MST, port-security
• MACsec hardware-ready, depending on licensing
• DHCP snooping, dynamic ARP inspection, and IP source guard
• QoS and Traffic Prioritization for real-time industrial data
• Time-Sensitive Networking (selected profiles)
• Cisco Industrial Network Director (IND) support
• Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) and streamlined configuration tools

Reliability and Safety

• MTBF: High availability design for 24/7 continuous operation
• Redundancy: Support for redundant power inputs (via external PSU)
• Certifications: Transportation, industrial automation, and utility-grade approvals depending on region

Use Cases for the IE-3500H-14P2T-E

Smart Transportation and Rail Systems

Its M12 X-Code connectors and high shock-vibration tolerance make it ideal for rolling stock, roadside cabinets, platform automation, and surveillance networks.

Outdoor Video Surveillance and Physical Security

High PoE power and IP67 protection enable direct connection of cameras, sensors, and access control equipment with minimal external infrastructure.

Oil, Gas, Mining, and Heavy Industrial Sites

Resistance to dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures allows deployment in hazardous zones and remote field environments.

Smart Cities and Intelligent Infrastructure

Supports intelligent lighting, connected signage, environmental sensors, and edge analytics.

Advantages of Deploying the Cisco IE-3500H-14P2T-E

Enhanced Operational Continuity

Rugged build ensures long-term reliability even in environments where commercial switches fail quickly.

Reduced Field Maintenance Costs

Fanless, sealed enclosure reduces points of failure and lowers on-site servicing needs.

Strong Cybersecurity at the Edge

With Cisco’s enterprise-grade security, industrial networks benefit from hardened access control and threat mitigation.

Scalable for Future Industrial Growth

Designed to support expansion in bandwidth, connected devices, and advanced industrial protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions for IE-3500H-14P2T-E

1. What environments is the IE-3500H-14P2T-E best suited for?
It is ideal for harsh industrial settings such as transportation, rail, mining, outdoor automation, and utility networks that require rugged, moisture-resistant, and vibration-tolerant networking equipment.

2. Does this model support PoE and PoE+ devices?
Yes. It includes 14 Gigabit PoE/PoE+ M12 X-Code ports, allowing it to power cameras, access points, sensors, and other industrial devices directly.

3. What makes the switch IP67-rated?
The enclosure is dust-tight and capable of withstanding significant moisture exposure, allowing deployment without weatherproof cabinets.

4. Is the switch compatible with Cisco DNA Center?
While the Network Essentials license provides foundational features, the switch integrates with Cisco’s industrial management platforms and can be monitored via Cisco DNA Center for enhanced visibility.

5. Can the IE-3500H-14P2T-E operate in extreme temperatures?
Yes. The switch is engineered for wide-temperature operation, typically from –40°C to +75°C, depending on power configuration

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