Ethernet switch monitoring available on Red Lion G3 Series HMI

This offers customers the benefit of using Red Lion operator interfaces as visible dashboards to monitor, display, log and alert on network status received from N-Tron and Sixnet industrial Ethernet switches. This level of compatibility between an HMI and Ethernet switch is described as unparalleled in the industry, and marks Red Lion's first "better.together." product offering following the acquisitions of N-Tron and Sixnet.

Jesse Benefiel, vice president of product management for Red Lion Controls, says: "We are pleased to announce this cross-product compatibility as we launch our new "better. together.' campaign to introduce our Ethernet and cellular networking products. Crimson's integration of N-View support underscores our unwavering commitment to take best practices from each acquired business to create not just a bigger Red Lion company, but a better one with more comprehensive product offerings that benefit our customers."

For customers with N-Tron switches, the integration of Crimson 3.0 and N-View allows plant managers and IT staff to efficiently monitor a number of different network parameters - including data collisions, received packets, dropped packets, alignment errors and more - from a single dashboard. For customers with Sixnet switches, monitoring is accomplished via Modbus. Advanced data logging features offer users the ability to collect and review network performance history. Email and SMS notification is also available to alert remote personal of network issues.

Jeff Thornton, director of product management for Red Lion Controls, says: "Customers need an easy-to-use solution to monitor their networks. By integrating Crimson 3.0 with N-View, our customers can now monitor their automation devices as well as their networking components from a single HMI dashboard. Automated checks on network health can be set to notify personnel via email or text message at the first sign of trouble. These proactive notifications help to reduce process downtime by ensuring the network is always functioning at an optimum level."

Alongside this integration effort, Red Lion continues to expand its existing portfolio of more than 3000 industrial automation and networking products. Newer offerings include the ProducTVity Station, PAX2C panel meter, G3 Kadet operator interface panels and a number of switches and cellular routers. These product investments continue to pay off, with the company recently receiving a number of accolades that include Control Design's 2012 Readers' Choice Award for the 12th consecutive year, and being named a "First Team Supplier" by Automation World magazine in two different categories. For further information about the Crimson 3.0 configuration software and other products, please go to www.redlion.net/.