Hirschmann Mice Series Modules — MM2-4TX1

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Hirschmann Mice Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Hirschmann Mice (Modular Industrial Communication System for Ethernet) series represents one of the most widely deployed managed industrial Ethernet switch platforms in global heavy industry. Installed across chemical processing plants, nuclear power facilities, petroleum refineries, and offshore platforms, the Mice architecture provides a modular, rail-mountable switching infrastructure engineered for continuous 24/7 operation in Class I hazardous environments. Its DIN-rail form factor, redundant ring topology support (HiPER-Ring), and broad operating temperature range (-40°C to +70°C) have made it a default specification in IEC 61850 substation automation, PROFIBUS/PROFINET backbone networks, and distributed control system (DCS) communication layers worldwide. The platform's longevity — spanning from late 1990s initial deployment through to current lifecycle-extended installations — means that sourcing genuine replacement modules remains a critical operational requirement for plant maintenance teams globally.

The Evolution of Mice Series Architecture

The Mice platform was introduced by Hirschmann (subsequently acquired by Belden) as a response to the industrial sector's migration from serial fieldbus networks to Ethernet-based communication backbones. The first-generation Mice chassis supported 100BASE-TX and 100BASE-FX media interfaces, with management via RS-232 console and early SNMP v1 implementations. The MM2 media module format — of which the MM2-4TX1 is a primary example — standardized a dual-slot insertion mechanism allowing field-replaceable port expansion without chassis replacement.

Second-generation Mice modules introduced VLAN (IEEE 802.1Q), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP/RSTP), and IGMP snooping, enabling deterministic multicast control for process automation traffic. The HiPER-Ring protocol, Hirschmann's proprietary sub-50ms redundancy mechanism, was integrated at the firmware level across the RS2, RS4, and RS8 chassis families that host Mice media modules. Third-generation iterations added PROFINET IO device capability, SNMPv3 security, and IPv6 management plane support. As of 2026, the Mice platform is classified as mature/end-of-active-development by Hirschmann/Belden, with the RSP, MACH100, and MACH1000 series designated as the migration path. However, installed base volumes ensure continued demand for original Mice modules for lifecycle extension and like-for-like replacement programs.

Mice Series Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly stocked modules within the Hirschmann Mice platform. Modules are classified by functional category:

Media Modules (MM2 Format — Port Expansion)

MM2-4TX1: 4-port 100BASE-TX RJ45 media module for Mice RS2/RS4/RS8 chassis
MM2-2FXS1: 2-port 100BASE-FX SC single-mode fiber media module, up to 15 km
MM2-2FXM1: 2-port 100BASE-FX SC multi-mode fiber media module, up to 2 km
MM2-2FXS2: 2-port 100BASE-FX SC single-mode fiber, extended reach variant
MM2-4TX2: 4-port 100BASE-TX RJ45 media module, second-generation firmware
MM2-2FXM2: 2-port 100BASE-FX multi-mode, updated diagnostics firmware
MM2-2FXSM1: 2-port mixed single/multi-mode fiber media module

Chassis / Base Units

RS2-16/RS2-16M: 16-port Mice base chassis, managed, DIN-rail mount
RS2-4R/RS2-4RM: 4-port compact Mice chassis with ring port support
RS4-16/RS4-16M: 4-slot media module chassis, 16 configurable ports
RS8-16/RS8-16M: 8-slot chassis, up to 16 ports, full HiPER-Ring support

Power Supply Modules

PS-24VDC: 24 VDC redundant power supply module for Mice RS chassis
PS-48VDC: 48 VDC input power supply, telecom/substation variant
PS-110/230VAC: AC input power supply module, wide voltage range

Management / Communication Modules

CM-RS232: RS-232 console management module for out-of-band access
CM-USB: USB management interface module, later chassis revisions

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete Mice Series Parts

With the Mice platform in its mature/end-of-life phase, OEM channel availability for specific media modules — particularly first-generation MM2 variants — has contracted significantly. DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for Hirschmann Mice lifecycle extension, covering the following sourcing scenarios:

New-old-stock (NOS) MM2 media modules sourced from decommissioned plant inventories. Tested and certified refurbished RS2/RS4/RS8 chassis units with full port-level verification. Cross-reference matching for superseded part numbers (e.g., MM2-4TX1 to current Hirschmann catalog equivalents). Emergency same-day dispatch for critical plant shutdown situations. Long-term supply agreements for maintenance contractors managing multi-site Mice installations.

All Mice modules sourced by DriveKNMS are accompanied by full traceability documentation and are subject to the same incoming inspection protocol applied to active-production parts.

Quality Control for the Mice Series Range

Mice media modules present specific test challenges due to their backplane bus interface and chassis-dependent initialization sequence. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all Mice modules prior to dispatch:

Chassis insertion test: each MM2 module is physically seated in a reference RS2 or RS4 chassis to verify backplane connector integrity and mechanical fit. Port-level traffic test: all RJ45 and fiber ports are tested at 100 Mbps full-duplex with bi-directional frame transmission using a calibrated traffic generator. Auto-negotiation and forced-speed modes are both verified. Fiber power budget measurement: for FX variants, optical transmit power and receive sensitivity are measured against Hirschmann factory specifications. Management plane verification: SNMP polling, web interface access, and CLI console response are confirmed on each managed module. HiPER-Ring protocol test: ring port modules are tested in a closed two-node ring topology to confirm sub-50ms failover performance. Firmware version audit: installed firmware is documented and, where applicable, updated to the latest Hirschmann-released version for that hardware revision.

For Mice Series module availability, cross-reference requests, or bulk procurement inquiries: