Simplifying Industrial Networking with Hirschmann BOBCAT and GREYHOUND Switches and Transceivers

Industrial networks must efficiently scale to support IIoT growth, tighter production cycles, and increasing device counts. At the same time, they need to withstand harsh environments while remaining simple, cost-effective, and secure to deploy. To achieve these goals, engineers require cost-effective switch platforms that combine rugged design with flexibility and streamlined deployment.

This article explores how Hirschmann’s (a Belden company) ruggedized BOBCAT and GREYHOUND simple Ethernet switches, supported by SFP transceivers, deliver scalable connectivity across industries such as manufacturing, energy, water, and chemical processing. BOBCAT DIN rail models support edge and mid-tier networks, while GREYHOUND rackmount switches provide high port density for aggregation and backbones. Industrial SFP modules extend reliable fiber links over long distances to complement switch deployments, providing a robust solution for enhanced network performance.

The article also outlines deployment features that reduce complexity and ensure reliable operation. Scalable port densities facilitate consolidation of sensors, controllers, and field devices, while HiOS Switch Software enables secure switching with intuitive management tools. CE, FCC, and UL certifications support deployment in regulated industries, and SFP fiber transceivers rated at Fast Ethernet or gigabit speeds extend connectivity over long distances.

Switch families and scalability

Hirschmann’s industrial Ethernet portfolio at DigiKey includes two complementary switch families: BOBCAT for compact DIN rail–mounted deployments and GREYHOUND for scalable rackmount installations. Together, they provide a reliable, consistent platform for networks ranging from space-constrained edge installations to high-density aggregation layers.

BOBCAT (BRS series) models are commonly deployed as entry points for ruggedized connectivity, integrating easily into control cabinets or distributed enclosures. They consolidate controllers, sensors, and operator terminals, with options ranging from copper-only designs, such as the BRS20-4TX-B, to variants with SFP slots, like the BRS40-20TX/4SFP-B (Figure 1), for plant-wide links.

Figure 1. The Hirschmann Bobcat BRS40-20TX/4SFP-B managed industrial switch features copper Ethernet ports and SFP slots in a compact DIN rail form factor, providing ruggedized connectivity for edge and mid-tier industrial networks with mixed copper and fiber requirements. (Image source: Hirschmann)

GREYHOUND (GRS series) switches extend these design principles to plant backbones, offering up to 24 copper ports plus six SFP slots in rackmount configurations for a maximum of 30 total ports. Examples include the GRS103-22TX/4C-B for mixed copper and fiber and the GRS105-24TX/6SFP-B for maximum density in a single chassis. This scalability allows engineers to expand network capacity efficiently and cost-effectively without unnecessary overbuild. By matching port density to actual device counts, engineers avoid purchasing oversized switches that consume excess rack space and power while remaining underutilized.

Fiber connectivity further extends network reach, with industrial-grade SFPs such as the SFP-FAST-SM/LC for Fast Ethernet and the SFP-GIG-LX/LC (Figure 2) for gigabit links. Built to the same rugged standards as the switches, these modules ensure reliable communication across distributed assets, from remote substations to outdoor enclosures.

Figure 2. Hirschmann SFP transceivers, such as the SFP-GIG-LX/LC, provide industrial-grade fiber connectivity in a compact, pluggable form factor, extending network reach over long distances while maintaining signal integrity in harsh industrial environments. (Image source: Hirschmann)

Ensuring environmental reliability and resilience

Both BOBCAT and GREYHOUND families support extended operating temperature ranges, typically from –10°C to +60°C, enabling deployment on factory floors, in outdoor enclosures, or at substations. This reduces reliance on supplemental cooling or heating, lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing ensures reliable communication in facilities with high-power drives, motors, or switching equipment, where electromagnetic interference (EMI) is common. This resilience ensures deterministic performance between controllers, sensors, and enterprise systems.

Mechanical durability supports long service life and reliability. BOBCAT housings resist vibration in tightly packed machinery cabinets, while GREYHOUND rackmount designs provide structural stability at high port densities. The fanless design in some BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switch variants further reduces maintenance requirements and minimizes unplanned downtime, enabling installation in harsh environmental conditions without additional cooling systems and lowering TCO.

Notably, Hirschmann SFP transceivers meet the same environmental and EMC standards as BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches, keeping backbone links stable across long distances and harsh operating conditions. With Fast Ethernet and gigabit options available, engineers can scale throughput without compromising signal integrity.

Unifying management and security with HiOS switch software

Alongside hardware flexibility and resilience, easy-to-use management software is essential for operating and securing industrial networks. HiOS Switch Software provides a consistent management layer and intuitive user experience (UX) across both BOBCAT and GREYHOUND families.

HiOS offers web-based configuration tools and SNMP support, reducing the learning curve during commissioning and simplifying integration with existing workflows. Key functions include VLAN configuration, access control lists (ACLs), and authentication with 802.1X and RADIUS integration. These capabilities support IIoT deployments that require secure device onboarding, traffic segmentation, and reliable communication between edge and cloud applications.

HiOS also supports lifecycle management with centralized firmware updates, diagnostic functions, and event logging. These tools give engineers visibility into switch health, simplify maintenance across distributed assets, and ensure consistent software baselines. By reducing manual updates and streamlining troubleshooting, HiOS extends network uptime while lowering operational overhead.

Figure 3. The Hirschmann GREYHOUND GRS103-22TX/4C-B switch offers high port density in a 1U rackmount form factor, featuring HiOS L2S software that provides centralized management, VLAN configuration, and security features for aggregation-layer deployments in manufacturing plants and process facilities. (Image source: Hirschmann)

Lastly, HiOS security features comply with IEC 62443 guidance for industrial automation and control systems (IACS), allowing engineers to bolster network resilience against unauthorized access or malicious traffic. This standard addresses cybersecurity for operational technology (OT) environments, establishing security requirements that help protect industrial control systems from both external threats and insider risks.

Industry applications and use cases

Hirschmann’s BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches, together with SFP transceivers, support industrial networks, from localized machine cells to large-scale process automation systems. They combine ruggedized form factors, scalable port densities, and fiber connectivity to deliver consistent performance across applications, including:

• Manufacturing: BOBCAT DIN rail models are deployed at the edge of production lines, linking PLCs, operator panels, and sensor clusters for deterministic communication. The BRS40-20TX/4SFP-B, for example, provides mixed copper and fiber options for connecting multiple machine cells to a central backbone. GREYHOUND rackmount switches extend connectivity to plant-wide aggregation layers, consolidating machine networks into unified systems that link with enterprise platforms. This architecture reduces latency for time-sensitive control loops and supports predictive maintenance by ensuring reliable data flow from sensors to analytics platforms.
• Logistics and Transportation: BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches provide reliable connectivity in distribution centers, warehouses, and transport hubs. GREYHOUND models such as the GRS105-24TX/6SFP-B offer high port counts to aggregate traffic from numerous handling systems in a single chassis. Their rugged design withstands vibration and temperature changes, while VLAN segmentation and fiber connectivity enable secure, low-latency communication between automated handling systems, conveyors, and control rooms. These networks allow operators to minimize downtime in automated warehouses and support real-time inventory tracking across facilities.
• Energy: In substations and other distributed assets, SFP transceivers extend gigabit connectivity over fiber to remote sites. Engineers can deploy GREYHOUND models, such as the GRS103-22TX/4C-B, for a balance of copper and fiber connections across feeder lines and relay stations. These links support SCADA integration, monitoring, and protective relaying, while fiber connectivity reduces susceptibility to EMI, which is common near high-voltage equipment. High port densities enable the backbone capacity to interconnect feeders and control rooms.
• Water and Wastewater: BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches deliver resilient networks that withstand high humidity, seasonal temperature swings, and electrical noise from pumps and motors. Compact BOBCAT models, such as the BRS20-4TX-B, fit easily into control cabinets at pump stations or filtration facilities. VLAN configuration in HiOS Software isolates critical control traffic from monitoring data. This segmentation simplifies troubleshooting, streamlines compliance reporting, and protects supervisory control traffic from network congestion.
• Chemical Processing: Continuous production and strict safety requirements demand reliable, low-latency networking. BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches provide resilient links between process controllers and monitoring systems, while low latency supports safety interlocks that trigger rapid shutdowns in hazardous environments. For long-distance fiber connections, the SFP-GIG-LX/LC delivers gigabit throughput with stable signal integrity across harsh plant conditions.

Certifications and compliance

Industrial network deployments adhere to stringent regulatory and international safety standards. Hirschmann BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches, together with SFP transceivers, meet global frameworks, ensuring interoperability across industries and geographies.

Both product lines carry CE, FCC, and UL certifications, covering crucial safety, EMC, and emissions requirements. CE marking confirms compliance for European markets, FCC approval ensures conformity with U.S. communications rules, and UL certification addresses product safety and installation in North American deployments. These certifications allow multinational organizations to standardize on a single switch portfolio worldwide without requalification or region-specific redesign.

In addition to regulatory approvals, Hirschmann products meet industrial performance standards for vibration, shock, and electrostatic discharge, in line with IEC requirements for control equipment. These specifications ensure reliable operation alongside machinery, drives, and other electrically noisy equipment common in factory and utility environments.

Conclusion

Hirschmann’s BOBCAT and GREYHOUND switches provide engineers with an efficient path to building rugged, scalable, and secure industrial networks. BOBCAT models deliver compact edge connectivity, GREYHOUND switches supply high port densities for aggregation, and SFP modules extend fiber links with proven reliability.

Backed by HiOS software, broad certification coverage, and rugged construction, the portfolio supports industries ranging from manufacturing and logistics to utilities and transportation. Available directly through DigiKey, these switches and transceivers simplify complex deployments and establish a reliable foundation for industrial connectivity.