Hirschmann MS4128-L2P – Modular 28‑Port Industrial Ethernet Switch for Control-Room Backbone and Plant Networks

The Hirschmann MS4128-L2P sits in the MACH 4000 family and is typically chosen as a control-room or cabinet backbone switch. It’s a modular, Layer‑2 professional platform designed for high-availability automation networks where uptime and precise traffic control matter. From my experience, teams pick it when they need a rock‑solid 19″ rack device with flexible combinations of copper and fiber ports, advanced VLAN/QoS, and proven Hirschmann redundancy like HiPER-Ring or RSTP/MSTP.

Our Order Placement Process & Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days
• Lead time: typically 1 week if in stock; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full balance before delivery
• Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL
• Pre‑shipment testing and configuration service available on request

Key Features

• Modular 28‑port design – You can mix RJ45 and SFP fiber modules to match cabinet distances and EMI conditions.
• Layer‑2 Professional feature set – VLAN (802.1Q), QoS (802.1p), IGMP Snooping, link aggregation, and port mirroring for predictable traffic behavior.
• Industrial redundancy – Supports HiPER‑Ring and standard RSTP/MSTP to cut switchover times and keep PLC/HMI traffic stable.
• Designed for control rooms – Typically 0…+50°C operating range and 19″ rack mounting; ideal for protected cabinets in plants and substations.
• Flexible power options – Usually 100–240 VAC input; many builds support redundant power modules for higher availability.
• Secure & manageable – SNMP v1/v2c/v3, SSH, HTTPS, and role-based admin help standardize maintenance across sites.
• Fiber-ready backbone – SFP slots for 100/1000Base‑X let you span long runs and segregate critical cells.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

You might notice that MS4128‑L2P shows up where control rooms feed multiple production lines or sub‑networks. Typical examples:

• Automotive body/paint shops – aggregating cell switches over fiber with strict VLAN separation for robots and vision systems.
• Water & wastewater – SCADA backbone with SFP links between plant areas; IGMP Snooping to manage multicast HMI/video.
• Power and substations (control rooms) – redundant rings to RTUs/IEDs, with managed QoS for protection data and engineering access.
• Pharma and F&B – clean cabinet deployments with deterministic traffic for batch systems and historian uplinks.

“After moving our line aggregates to MACH 4000 switches, ring recovery remained under a second in tests and maintenance windows got shorter,” a maintenance lead in a packaging plant told us. That seems to be a common pattern when teams standardize on Hirschmann L2P devices.

Advantages & Value

• Reliability – Proven redundancy and stable firmware reduce nuisance downtime in most cases.
• Compatibility – Works cleanly with PLC vendors’ recommended network designs (VLANs, ring protocols, multicast control).
• Lifecycle cost – Modular SFPs and replaceable power options help extend service life and keep spares simple.
• Support & tooling – SNMP/CLI/HTTPS and standard Hirschmann diagnostics make it easier for mixed‑vendor teams to maintain.

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet & ventilation – Mount in a 19″ cabinet with front clearance for SFPs; allow unobstructed airflow and maintain ambient 0…+50°C.
• Power & grounding – Use a clean, dedicated 100–240 VAC feed (or specified DC variant) and bond protective earth; add redundant supply if available.
• Fiber handling – Match SFP type to distance (SX/LX/ZX) and fiber mode; clean connectors to avoid high loss.
• Network setup – Plan VLANs, QoS tags, and ring topology in advance; enable IGMP Snooping for HMI/video multicast where needed.
• Routine maintenance – Back up configs, snapshot logs, and review port counters quarterly; update firmware during planned downtime after lab validation.
• Safety – De‑energize before module changes; use ESD protection when handling SFPs or boards.

Quality & Certifications

• CE compliant; UL listed for control equipment in many builds; RoHS conformant
• Manufactured by Hirschmann (Belden) with industrial networking firmware track record
• Warranty: 365 days (our supply guarantee)

Common Accessories & Supporting Components

• Hirschmann SFP transceivers (e.g., 1000Base‑SX/LX, 100Base‑FX) for matching site fiber runs.
• Redundant AC or DC power supply modules (model‑specific) for higher availability.
• Pre‑terminated fiber patch cords and LC attenuators for long‑haul links.
• Cable management and labeled patch panels to keep front access tidy.

One thing I appreciate is how predictable these switches behave in mixed environments. If you need confirmation on the exact MS4128‑L2P port mix or power module for your cabinet, share your existing topology or a simple BOM—matching SFPs and redundancy options up front usually saves time later.