ET-8MS-OEM Tech Note

06 Jun 2025

ET-8MS-OEM
Board Level Managed Switch for Embedded OEM Applications

1.0 Abstract/Overview

This document defines the board level managed switch with part number ET-8MS OEM. This board is designed for embedded OEM applications. The ET-8MS-OEM shares common firmware with Red Lion SLX standard packaged managed switches such as the SLX-5MS, SLX-8MG and SLX-10MG. Therefore, it supports the same advanced software features.


1.1 Glossary

OEM  Original Equipment Supplier

COTS  Commercial Off-The-Shelf – The ET-8MS-OEM is ideal for COTS applications.

Board Level  The ET-8MS-OEM is a board level product meaning that it is supplied as a fully populated and functional circuit board that is designed to be integrated into a final application.  It does not come with any enclosure or mounting standoffs.  It incorporates mounting holes to facilitate installation as a “piggy-back” board on another circuit board assembly

SMI  Serial management interface

PHY  Physical interface for the Ethernet magnetics.

2.0 Product Brief

The ET-8MS-OEM is a board level managed Ethernet switch, suitable for incorporation into electronic assemblies for commercial, industrial or military OEM applications.

3.0 Technical Specifications

3.1 General Hardware Features

The ET-8MS-OEM has the following hardware features:

  • IEEE 802.3 Switch IC (manageable) and CPU for network management functionality
  • Eight available Ethernet ports with on-board PHYs and magnetics.
  • Two available Ethernet ports which require external PHY and magnetics
  • The J2 board-to-board connector also has these signals:
    o Port 1-8 Status LED signals
    o OK (alarm) output signal
    o Status LED output signal
    o 3.3VDC Power lines
  • The J11 board-to-board connector has these signals:
    o RS232 serial management interface (TD and RD only)
    o USB device interface shared with Mini-B USB connector on-board.
    o Serial LED interface available for remote LED (Please contact Sixnet).
    o CPU reset line input/output
    o PHY reset Line output
    o OK (alarm) output signal
    o Status LED output signal
    o Power and GND lines
  • Requires user supplied power of regulated 5VDC or 3.3 VDC at approximately 6 Watts
  • Four #4 mounting holes connected to isolation guard rings and external connection to Earth ground
  • Optional LEDs for each port for diagnostic purposes

3.1.1 Ordering information and board options

Orderable Part Number Board to board
connector
Molex wire
connectors
5V operation only 3.3V operation only
ET-8MS-OEM-1 X X X  
ET-8MS-OEM-1-3 X X   X
ET-8MS-OEM-2 X   X  
ET-8MS-OEM-2-3 X     X

See following diagrams for reference

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3.2 General Software Features


The ET-8MS-OEM has all the following software capabilities:

  • IEEE 802.3 (10 Mbps) and 802.3u (100 Mbps) compatible
  • IEEE 802.3x for half/full duplex and flow control
  • IEEE 802.1D-2004 - Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
    o Allows for ring, mesh and other redundant topologies
  • IEEE 802.1p for priority queuing (QoS and CoS)
  • IEEE 802.1Q for Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs)
  • SNMP and RMON for network management
  • SNMPv3 for network management with security
  • Port mirroring for diagnostics
  • Management interfaces via web, terminal and telnet
  • Web interface supports HTTPS security with SSL or TLS
  • Command line interface for the following parameters:
    o Reset to factory defaults
    o DHCP enable / disable
    o Set IP address
    o Set subnet mask
    o Set default gateway
    o Set system name
    o RSTP enable / disable
    o Set bridge priority for RSTP
    o Set maximum age for RSTP
    o Set hello time for RSTP
    o Set forward delay for RSTP
    o Set transmission limit for RSTP
    o SNMP enable / disable
    o Telnet enable / disable
    o Other commands may be provided at Red Lion's discretion
    • Other software features may be provided at Red Lion’s discretion

3.3 Firmware


The ET-8MS-OEM is pre-installed with SLX managed switch firmware which provides the software capabilities as previously described. Red Lion periodically releases firmware updates that may include performance improvements, bug fixes and/or new features.


These firmware updates are typically supplied in two formats:
1. Full Firmware Image File – This can be loaded from one of Red Lion’s Microsoft Windows utilities. It will completely replace the operating system and firmware and set all parameters back to the factory defaults. This method requires both an Ethernet and serial connection to the switch.
2. Firmware Update File – This is a tarball (.tgz) file that can be loaded from the web or terminal interface’s Update Firmware screen. It typically will update the switch firmware from one version to the next. It typically will retain the switches parameters so the switch configuration does not need to be reloaded afterwards.

3.4 Connectors


Ports 1-8 may be accessed either through individual 4 pin connectors named Port 1 to Port 8 or through the J2 Board-to-Board 0.8mm pitch 2x35 pin female header. See section 3.1.1 for orderable part numbers and options.


3.4.1 Port 1-8 Connectors pin designation


The Ethernet connectors consist of 4 pins. They are specified to be the Molex 70543-0003. There is one Molex 70543-0003 connector for each port and the pin-out is as follows:

 mceclip2.png

Molex 70543-0003 Connector Description:
2.54mm (.100") Pitch SL™ Header, Single Row, Vertical, .120" Pocket, Shrouded, 4 Circuits, 0.38µm (15µ") Gold (Au) Selective Plating, Tin (Sn) PC Tail Plating, RoHS

 

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3.4.2 Board-to-Board J2 header connector pin designation\


The 0.8mm pitch Ethernet connector consists of 70 pins (2 rows of 35 pins). It is specified to be the Samtec CLE-135-01-G-DV-A. The pin-out is as follows: (NC = no connection)

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3.4.3 Board-to-Board J11 header connector pin designation


The 0.8mm pitch Ethernet connector consists of 70 pins (2 rows of 35 pins). It is specified to be the Samtec CLE-135-01-G-DV-A. The pin-out is as follows:
Note: RESERVED-NC = Reserved, do not connect, leave open.

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Disclaimer

It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. HMS makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. HMS is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. HMS standard product warranty applies.

 

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