Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E Overview and Core Capabilities

The Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E is a ruggedized, IP67-rated industrial switch engineered for mission-critical applications in harsh outdoor and production environments. Designed for rail, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, intelligent transportation, and utilities, this switch delivers high-performance connectivity with a compact yet ultra-durable form factor. With 20 Fast Ethernet (D-Code M12) ports and 4 Gigabit Ethernet (X-Code M12) interfaces, it offers the flexibility, bandwidth, and reliability required for modern industrial networks.

The Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E is part of the IE3500 Heavy-Duty series, engineered for full-scale industrial deployments where exposure to dust, water, vibration, shocks, and temperature fluctuations is unavoidable. With an IP67 enclosure, the switch supports sealed, connectorized M12 interfaces, eliminating the need for a protected cabinet.

It operates on Cisco IOS XE, offering feature-rich software capabilities under the Network Essentials license. This includes robust security, Layer 2 switching, resiliency protocols, and management features required by OT and IT teams alike. The model is fanless, built with a hardened form factor, and designed for DIN-rail or panel mounting.

High-Performance Switching with Rugged M12 Connectivity

The switch includes 20 FE D-Code M12 ports, making it ideal for legacy or mixed-speed industrial networks. It also provides 4 GE X-Code M12 ports for high-bandwidth uplinks, backhaul, or high-throughput devices like cameras, industrial servers, and controllers.

The D-Code connectors provide secure Fast Ethernet connectivity widely used in transportation and industrial automation. X-Code connectors support 10/100/1000 Mbps speeds with 8-pin geometry, ensuring strong signal integrity in electrically noisy environments.

This combination allows the Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E to seamlessly support both existing FE-based installations and modern Gigabit requirements.

Advanced Industrial Features for Harsh Environments

The switch is certified for heavy industrial use with extensive EMC, vibration, and shock compliance. It is designed to operate in extended temperature ranges suitable for outdoor and mobile installations.

It supports critical industrial and IT-grade protocols including:

• Layer 2 switching with VLANs, STP, RSTP, MST
• DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, and DAI under Network Essentials
• ERPS (G.8032) for sub-50ms ring recovery
• IEEE 1588v2 PTP boundary and transparent clock (license dependent)
• PROFINET and Modbus awareness (profile support varies by deployment)
• Secure remote management through SNMPv3, TACACS+, SSH, and NETCONF/YANG

Key Specifications of the Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E

Hardware Specifications

• Ports:
  • 20 × 10/100 Mbps M12 D-Code FE interfaces
  • 4 × 10/100/1000 Mbps M12 X-Code GE interfaces
• Enclosure: IP67, corrosion-resistant, sealed design
• Mounting: Panel mount or DIN-rail (depending on kit)
• Cooling: Fanless, passive cooling
• Dimensions/Weight: Heavy-duty enclosure with ruggedized housing ideal for industrial areas (varies by configuration)

Environmental Endurance

• Operating temperature: Typically –40°C to +75°C (model-specific)
• Ingress Protection: Fully sealed IP67
• Shock/Vibration: Meets industry and transportation compliance standards (EN50155, IEC 60068-2)

Power & Reliability

• Redundant DC power inputs
• Low-power industrial design
• MTBF suitable for long-life critical infrastructure installations

Software & Features (Network Essentials License)

• Layer 2 switching and redundancy
• Advanced QoS
• Security features for access control and device integrity
• Standard industrial protocol awareness
• IOS XE modernized OS, API-ready for automation

Use Cases Across Industrial Sectors

Transportation & Railway Systems
The M12 connectors and shock rating make it ideal for rolling stock, trackside equipment, and signaling systems.

Smart Cities & Outdoor Deployments
Its IP67 design allows installation on poles, roadside cabinets, toll booths, and traffic systems without needing an enclosure.

Oil, Gas & Mining
The switch stands up to dust, moisture, and corrosive or hazardous environments.

Manufacturing & Automation
Supports Ethernet-based automation systems including industrial sensors, PLCs, cameras, and supervisory systems.

Benefits of Deploying the IE-3500H-20FT4T-E

• Reliable operation in extreme conditions thanks to IP67 sealing and rugged M12 connectors.
• Future-ready performance with a blend of FE and GE interfaces for scalable bandwidth.
• Strong industrial resiliency with rapid network recovery protocols.
• Comprehensive security and management under Cisco IOS XE.
• Reduced installation complexity—no enclosure or climate-control cabinet required.
• Long lifecycle and industrial certifications suitable for regulated sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What environments is the Cisco IE-3500H-20FT4T-E best suited for?
It is built for harsh, outdoor, and industrial environments including transit systems, manufacturing plants, utilities, mining operations, and oil and gas fields.

2. What is the difference between D-Code and X-Code M12 interfaces?
D-Code connectors support Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), while X-Code connectors support Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 Mbps) with an 8-pin design for high-speed data.

3. Does the switch support Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
This specific model, IE-3500H-20FT4T-E, does not include PoE. Other IE3500 or IE3400 SKUs may offer PoE functionality.

4. Is the IP67 enclosure suitable for outdoor mounting without a cabinet?
Yes. IP67 rating ensures full protection against dust and water, allowing direct exposure to weather and contaminants.

5. What software features are included with the Network Essentials license?
Network Essentials provides Layer 2 switching, basic security features, QoS, redundancy protocols, and standard management via SNMP, CLI, SSH, and automation APIs.

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