Westell Introduces Managed Ethernet Edge Switches

ES8000 series designed especially for "edge" applications in harsh industrial environments

AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:WSTL)("Westell"), a leading provider of broadband products, outside plant telecommunications equipment and conferencing services, announced today the release of the eSmartES^TM ES8000 series of Managed Ethernet Edge Switches, designed specifically for use in harsh environments on the perimeter of Ethernet networks where Smart Grid and industrial devices are connected. Ideal applications include industrial and heavy duty outdoor settings such as power utility substations, video surveillance systems, and traffic control monitoring,

"Our new ES8000 eSmartES switches are ideal for building a switched, hardened Ethernet network infrastructure, connecting edge devices such as SCADA telemetry radios, Programmable Logic Controllers, and cameras with upstream switches or routers," said Brian Powers, Vice President and General Manager of Westell's OSPlant Systems Division. "The eSmartES offers industrial-grade software within a rugged Ethernet switch."

The eSmartES platform features network redundancy options and the Westell Edge Operating System (WEOS) with standards-based 802.3ah Ethernet OAM functionality to isolate and diagnose network problems. The ES8000 series includes security features such as VLAN (802.1Q) to segregate and secure network traffic, and management tools such as secure web management GUI and CLI interfaces.

Featuring a simple plug-and-play operation, the ES8000 can be configured from 4 to 8 10/100Mb copper ports. In the 8-port configuration, ports 7 and 8 are 10/100/1000Mb ports. Ports 7 and 8 can also be configured as optical GigE ports populated with either a pair of ST, SC or LC interfaces.

Among the many features that make the ES8000 platform ideal for use in harsh environments are the following:

    --  Extended operating temperature range of -40 to +80C (-40 to +185F)
    --  Dual DC power supply inputs of either +24Vdc or -48Vdc for high
        availability applications requiring redundant or backup power inputs
    --  High level of immunity to electromagnetic interference and severe
        electrical surges
    --  Hazardous Location Certification: Class 1 Division 2

The ES8000 is packaged in a galvanized steel enclosure that allows DIN rail, wall, or panel mounting for efficient use of space. It can also be rack mounted using the optional 1RU rack mount bracket.

Westell will demonstrate the eSmartES ES8000 switches at the 2011 Utility Telecom Forum (Region 8, 9, 10 meeting) on February 7-8, Reno, Nevada, in Booth 410.

About Westell

Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and Conference Plus, Inc. Westell, Inc. designs, distributes, markets and services a broad range of broadband customer-premises equipment, digital transmission, remote monitoring, power distribution and demarcation products used by telephone companies and other telecommunications service providers. Conference Plus, Inc. is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting www.westell.com and www.conferenceplus.com.

    Source: Westell Technologies, Inc.

Released February 2, 2011