Hirschmann RS20 Modules

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Hirschmann RS20 Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Hirschmann RS20 series is a line of compact, DIN-rail-mounted managed industrial Ethernet switches developed by Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH (now part of Belden Inc.). Deployed across chemical processing plants, nuclear power facilities, oil refineries, and heavy manufacturing environments, the RS20 occupies a critical position in plant-floor network infrastructure globally. Its ruggedized design — rated for operation from -40°C to +70°C — and compliance with IEC 61850, IEEE 802.1Q, and PROFINET standards have made it a default specification in brownfield automation projects across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. The series supports redundancy protocols including RSTP, MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol), and HiPER-Ring, which are mandatory requirements in process-critical topologies where network recovery time must remain under 500 ms.

The Evolution of RS20 Architecture

The RS20 was introduced as a successor to Hirschmann's earlier MICE and SPIDER switch families, targeting applications that required managed Layer 2 switching in a compact form factor. Early RS20 variants shipped with 100BASE-TX copper ports and 100BASE-FX fiber uplinks, with management via CLI and a basic web interface. Subsequent firmware generations added SNMP v3, RMON, and IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, aligning the platform with enterprise-grade network security requirements increasingly demanded by ICS/SCADA operators.

The RS20 product line reached its commercial peak during the 2008–2016 period, when it was widely specified in new plant construction and DCS migration projects. As of 2020, Hirschmann has transitioned its primary development focus to the RSP, OCTOPUS, and EAGLE series. The RS20 is now classified as a mature/end-of-active-development product. Hirschmann continues to provide firmware patches for critical CVEs, but no new feature development is planned. For operators running RS20 infrastructure, long-term maintenance strategy must account for component-level obsolescence, extended lead times on replacement units, and the need for certified refurbished stock from specialist distributors.

RS20 Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent the primary configurations available within the RS20 series. Units are categorized by port configuration and uplink type.

RS20-0400T1T1SDAEHH: 4-port 100TX managed switch, 2×100FX SC uplinks, DIN-rail mount, -40/+70°C.
RS20-0800T1T1SDAEHH: 8-port 100TX managed switch, 2×100FX SC uplinks, standard industrial housing.
RS20-0800M2M2SDAEHH: 8-port 100TX, 2×100FX multimode SC fiber uplinks, MRP-capable.
RS20-0800T1T1SDAPHH: 8-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, PROFINET IO device support enabled.
RS20-1600T1T1SDAEHH09.0.00: 16-port 100TX managed switch, 2×100FX SC uplinks, firmware 09.0.00, DIN-rail, full MRP/RSTP support.
RS20-1600M2M2SDAEHH: 16-port 100TX, 2×100FX multimode SC fiber, extended temperature range.
RS20-1600T1T1SDAPHH: 16-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, PROFINET IO device integration.
RS20-1600T1T1SDAAHH: 16-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, advanced security firmware variant.
RS20-2400T1T1SDAEHH: 24-port 100TX managed switch, 2×100FX SC uplinks, high-density plant-floor deployment.
RS20-2400M2M2SDAEHH: 24-port 100TX, 2×100FX multimode SC, suitable for long-distance fiber backbone.
RS20-2400T1T1SDAPHH: 24-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, PROFINET-certified variant for Siemens TIA Portal environments.
RS20-0400M2M2SDAEHH: 4-port 100TX, 2×100FX multimode SC, compact footprint for cabinet-constrained installations.
RS20-0800T1T1SDAAHH: 8-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, advanced access control list (ACL) firmware.
RS20-1600T1T1SDAEHH06.0.00: 16-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, firmware 06.0.00, legacy configuration for older HiVision NMS deployments.
RS20-2400T1T1SDAAHH: 24-port 100TX, 2×100FX SC, security-hardened firmware, IEC 62443 alignment.
RS20-0800M2M2SDAPHH: 8-port 100TX, 2×100FX multimode SC, PROFINET IO device, MRP ring support.

Sourcing Hard-to-Find & Obsolete RS20 Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for Hirschmann RS20 units that have reached end-of-active-production status. As plant operators extend the operational life of RS20-based network segments — often in parallel with DCS migrations that span 5–10 years — the availability of certified replacement units becomes a critical supply chain variable. DriveKNMS sources RS20 modules through verified industrial surplus channels, performs incoming inspection against Hirschmann's published hardware revision documentation, and maintains traceability records for each unit. For operators requiring specific firmware versions (e.g., 06.0.00 for legacy HiVision NMS compatibility, or 09.0.00 for current HiOS-based management), DriveKNMS can supply units pre-loaded with the required firmware image upon request. Minimum order quantities are flexible, supporting both single-unit emergency replacements and bulk procurement for scheduled maintenance windows.

Quality Control for the RS20 Range

RS20 units processed by DriveKNMS undergo a structured inspection and functional test protocol prior to dispatch. Each unit is visually inspected for backplane connector integrity, capacitor condition, and port cage alignment. Functional testing includes: full port-by-port traffic throughput verification at 100 Mbps, RSTP/MRP convergence timing measurement, SNMP v1/v2c/v3 management plane validation, VLAN tagging and trunking configuration verification, and fiber uplink power budget measurement using calibrated optical test equipment. Units that do not meet Hirschmann's published performance specifications are quarantined and not offered for sale. Test records are retained and available upon request for quality-audited procurement processes.