MIL-rugged 1G/10G Ethernet Cisco IOS-managed switch for aerospace

Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division today announced the newest addition to its family of small form factor (SFF) network switches, the Parvus DuraNET 3300, a MIL-rugged 1G/10G Ethernet Cisco IOS-managed switch designed specifically for the embedded aerospace/defense market. The DuraNET 3300 is a deployable 26-port Layer 2/Layer 3 (L2/L3) Ethernet switch packaged in an extremely rugged small form factor (SFF) chassis. The LRU provides up to 44 Gbps of line-rate multi-layer forwarding, along with advanced network security, data, video and voice services, all supported by industry preferred Cisco IOS software. Engineered to deliver optimal performance in the harsh environments experienced by UUV, UAV, UGV, rotorcraft, and ground vehicle platforms, the compact unit features a rugged IP67 chassis with MIL connectors.  Optimized for size, weight and power (SWaP),  the LRU integrates Cisco’s recently announced ESS-3300 embedded services switch technology, bringing popular Cisco IOS managed services for 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) to the embedded aerospace and defense market.

The DuraNET 3300 is ideal for installation at the tactical network edge on-board unmanned air/maritime/ground vehicles, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, tactical ground vehicles, missile defense, and other SWaP-constrained platforms deploying Ethernet backbones.

The DuraNET 3300 features a number of robust IOS-XE network security capabilities, notably, MACSec (IEEE 802.1AE-2006) Layer 2 point-to-point encryption and authentication of Ethernet LAN traffic (via AES-128/256 cryptographic cyphers). It also supports zeorize for erasing network configuration data, and secure boot capability (via an anti-counterfeit chip) for decrypting and authenticating the IOS image. Built-in encryption capabilities include a FIPS 140-2 validated crypto module, with additional ESS-3300 cyber security evaluations planned.

To ensure high bandwidth and signal integrity in MIL-Aero applications, the DuraNET 3300 integrates rugged 10G fiber optic capabilities for highly secure, EMI-immune, lightweight network connectivity. To further reduce SWaP and simplify power/cable management, this rugged switch supports up to 24x Power Over Ethernet (PoE) IP devices (e.g. cameras and phones), eliminating the need for separate power and data cables.  It combines integrated PoE controllers and Cisco IOS software management for IEEE 802.3at 2009 type 1 (“PoE”) and type 2 (“PoE+”) capable equipment.

Carefully engineering for the most demanding military environments, the unit is designed to meet the rigorous demands of MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-1275D, MIL-STD-704F and RTCA/DO-160G for environmental, power and EMI compatibility (thermal, shock, vibration, dust, water, humidity, altitude, power spikes/surges, conducted/radiated emissions & susceptibility). Housed in a sealed IP67-rated (dust + water proof) aluminum enclosure with MIL-performance circular connectors, the DuraNET 3300 delivers new capabilities for situational awareness and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications. Built with industrial-temperature components, the unit supports a wide ambient operating temperature range of -40 to +71°C (-40 to +160ºF) without needing fans or a cold plate. Its I/O complement features a high port combination of copper and fiber optic interfaces.

The LRU’s built-in military/avionics power supply provides 50ms power hold-up (for MIL-STD-704 compliant aircraft power hold-up/transfer). Unique to the rugged COTS embedded market, the DuraNET 3300 continues the Parvus DuraNET system legacy of packaging Cisco technology with an advanced 12/28V power supply design that delivers filtered, transient, and EMI-protected DC power-compliant for ground vehicles (per MIL-STD-1275) and aircraft (per MIL-STD-704 + DO-160) specifications.

Parvus DuraNET 3300 Performance Features:

• 26-port L2/L3 switch (24x 1000Base-T + 2x 10GBase-SR optical ports)
• Integrated Cisco ESS-3300 modules with IOS-XE software
• Power Over Ethernet (PoE+) support
• Rugged SWaP-optimized design: ~ 5 lb weight (2.6 kg)
• Integrated Layer 2/3 switching, QoS, IP multicast, security and management
• Rugged fanless, sealed chassis with locking MIL-performance connectors
• 28 VDC filtered MIL-STD-1275/704/DO-160 power supply
• MIL-STD-810G/DO-160 thermal, shock, vibration, altitude, humidity; also MIL-STD-461F/DO-160G EMI/EMC

The DuraNET 3300 can be deployed as a standalone switch or as a complementary LRU solution to Curtiss-Wright’s family of Parvus mission computers (DuraCOR), network routers (DuraMAR), and data storage (DTS/CNS/HSR) solutions.