Advantech EKI-2528I – 8-Port Unmanaged Industrial Ethernet Switch

Key Specifications & Features

1. Core Identity: High-Density Unmanaged Connectivity

   • Port Count: 8 x 10/100BASE-TX RJ45 ports. This is its primary differentiator from the 5-port model.

   • Unmanaged Operation: Identical to the 5-port—zero configuration, auto-negotiation, auto-MDI/MDIX.

2. Industrial Ruggedness (Identical to EKI-2525I):

   • Operating Temperature: -40°C to 75°C.

   • Power Input: 12 to 48 VDC wide-range, with dual redundant power inputs (a critical feature for reliability).

   • Protection: 6.3KV Ethernet surge protection, high EMI/EMS immunity.

   • Housing & Mounting: Metal casing, DIN-rail or panel mount.

3. Performance:

   • Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps): Same speed limit as the 5-port model.

   • Store-and-Forward switching with a 2K MAC address table (slightly larger than the 1K on the 5-port to handle more devices).

   • Backplane Bandwidth: 1.6 Gbps (non-blocking for 100 Mbps traffic on all ports).

Typical Use Cases

This model is chosen when you need more connections within a single, simple network segment:

1. Dense Control Cabinet Hub: A single cabinet housing a PLC, multiple remote I/O blocks, several drives, an HMI, and a safety controller—all requiring a local network connection.

2. Small Machine Network Aggregation: Connecting all the Ethernet-enabled components of a complex machine (robots, vision sensors, tool changers) to a single network drop.

3. Cost-Effective Retrofit: Upgrading older systems with many serial-to-Ethernet converters or adding IP cameras to an existing industrial network segment without re-engineering the whole network.

4. Field Panel Consolidation: In utilities or process plants, connecting multiple field devices (meters, sensors) at a remote junction box.

Comparison: EKI-2528I vs. EKI-2525I vs. Managed 8-Port

Advantages

• Cost per Port: Offers a very attractive cost per industrial Ethernet port.

• Simplicity & Reliability: Same "set-and-forget" operation as the 5-port model.

• High Port Density in Rugged Form: Gets more devices connected in harsh environments without moving to a larger managed switch.

• Dual Redundant Power: Maintains this critical industrial feature even in the unmanaged tier.

  
  

  The Advantech EKI-2528I is an 8-port, unmanaged, Fast Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) industrial switch. It maintains the same "plug-and-play" simplicity and industrial hardening as the 5-port model but is designed for control cabinets or machine nodes where more devices need to be connected locally.