Cisco IE-3300-8T2S-E – Rugged Industrial Ethernet Switch for Harsh, Space-Constrained Control Cabinets

The Cisco IE-3300-8T2S-E is a compact, DIN-rail industrial Ethernet switch designed for OT networks that need reliable Gigabit connectivity at the edge. You get 8 x 10/100/1000BASE-T copper downlinks for field devices and 2 x 1G SFP uplinks for fiber backhaul—handy when you’re bridging long distances across a plant or to the control room. It runs Cisco IOS XE with the Network Essentials feature set, which typically covers the industrial L2 toolkit: VLANs, MSTP/RSTP, DHCP snooping, port security, QoS, and PTP (IEEE 1588v2) support that’s widely used in drives and motion applications. From my experience, it’s the “install and forget” type of platform—fanless, hardened, and tolerant of electrical noise.

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Key Features

• 8 x 10/100/1000 RJ‑45 downlinks + 2 x 1G SFP uplinks – Simple way to segment machine cells and uplink via fiber where EMI or distance is a concern.
• Industrial temperature rating – Typically supports -40 to +75°C for use in outdoor enclosures and hot factory floors.
• Redundant DC power inputs – Dual-input 9.6–60 VDC (common in control cabinets) for higher availability; no PoE output on this model.
• IOS XE, Network Essentials – L2 switching with security features such as 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP snooping, and storm control.
• Precision timing – PTP (IEEE 1588v2) support is commonly used in drives, robotics, and power systems requiring time sync.
• Fanless, compact DIN-rail form factor – Saves space in crowded cabinets and reduces maintenance points.
• Ruggedized design – Designed for vibration, shock, and electrical noise typically found in industrial and transportation environments.
• Alarms and diagnostics – You might notice the convenience of alarm relay contacts and status indicators for quick troubleshooting on site.

Technical Specifications

Related or Supporting Products

• Cisco IE-3300-8P2S-E – Similar platform but with PoE/PoE+ downlinks for powering IP cameras, APs, and HMIs.
• Cisco IE-3300-8T2S-A – Same hardware with Network Advantage license for advanced routing and security features.
• Cisco IE-3400-8T2S-E – Higher-performance rugged option with expanded feature scale; a good step-up when you need more capacity.
• GLC-SX-MMD / GLC-LH-SMD – 1G SFP modules (SX for multimode fiber, LH/LX for single-mode). Commonly paired for uplinks.
• PWR-IE65W-AC-DC / PWR-IE170W-AC-DC – Industrial AC-to-DC power supplies typically used to feed the switch’s 24–48 VDC input.
• CAB-CONSOLE-USB or equivalent – Local console cable (model varies by hardware revision).

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet & mounting – Use a grounded metal enclosure with DIN rail per EN/IEC standards. Leave clearance for airflow above/below the chassis, even though it’s fanless.
• Power wiring – Provide dual redundant DC feeds (separate breakers if possible). Size the supply for the switch’s max input and any downstream loads if present.
• Fiber uplinks – Choose SFPs and patch cords to match distance and fiber type (MM vs SM); verify connector types at both ends to avoid last‑minute surprises.
• Networking setup – Segment machine cells with VLANs; enable STP/RSTP or MSTP to prevent loops; consider PTP profiles if motion or time‑critical workloads are present.
• Safety – De-energize before wiring, use ferrules on stranded conductors, and maintain proper shielding/grounding to reduce EMI.
• Routine maintenance – Periodic dust cleaning, check terminal block torque, review logs/alarms, and keep IOS XE firmware up to date during planned downtime.

A maintenance lead at a packaging plant mentioned they swapped to the IE-3300 to get fiber uplinks without reworking the whole cabinet—“the SFPs made our long run to the server room painless, and it hasn’t missed a beat through summer heat.”

Quality & Certifications

• Compliance: CE, UL, and RoHS alignment for industrial deployments (exact markings may vary by sub-model and region).
• Environmental: Designed for extended temperature and shock/vibration typical of industrial environments.
• Security: Image signing and secure boot features are standard on modern IOS XE-based industrial platforms.
• Manufacturer’s warranty: Cisco limited hardware warranty, typically 5 years for industrial switches (confirmable by serial and region).