Hirschmann Operating System HiOS

Hirschmann upgrades HiOS software to increase the power

and performance of its Industrial Ethernet switches.

HiOS software offers intelligent and unique  combinations of network

redundancy protocols to meet every physical and application requirement.

Redundancy – an extensive number of standardized and proprietary

redundancy mechanisms to meet any requirement.

Security – comprehensive security functionality to help you secure

your networks.

Ease of Use – an intuitive graphical interface, compre hensive command

line interface, and full SNMP support meet every management challenge.

Key Features

•  A combination of standards-based protocols and FuseNet coupling 

protocols results in a high level of fault tolerance

•  PRP over Gigabit is now available for existing hardware.

Only a software update is required

•  The incorporation of Classic Switch Software functions into HiOS ensures 

that existing networks can continue to be expanded many years into the future

•  Easy Access Control Lists allow control of what data crosses a network,

even in standard switches

•  Address Translation: 1:1 NAT allows the connection of networks that use 

identical subnets

•  HiOS supports the new 2.5 Gbit/s transmission rate. This provides faster

speed without a significant increase in power consumption or heat generation.

When used with Link Aggregation, it results in high speed data uplinks, at a

significantly lower cost than 10 Gbit/s

Your Benefits

Highest availability and Data Security In One

The Hirschmann Operating System (HiOS) is well known as an operating system 

with unique redundancy and security features that enable it to provide high network 

availability and data security for efficient production processes. Network Address 

Translation increases the network deployment options. Extended backwards 

compatibility with devices running Classic Switch Software means that existing 

networks can be operated, maintained and expanded well into the future using HiOS

based components.

Easy Access Control Lists provide granular network security to devices using Layer 

2 Standard (L2S) software. Extensive new design combinations such as Media 

Redundancy Protocol (MRP) sub rings with Link Aggregation are available for the 

higher value Layer 2 Advanced (L2A) switches. 1:1 NAT now runs on the RSP, RSPE 

(Expandable) and OCTOPUS Layer 3 switches.

HiOS supports FuseNet, the “Fusion of Networks”. FuseNet uniquely identifies a 

family of redundant coupling protocols which are proprietary to Hirschmann. These 

protocols provide great flexibility in the way networks can be redundantly coupled, to 

suit every topology.

HiOS provides extensive redundancy mechanisms to your state-of-the-art hard

ware. It adds Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) over Gigabit, Rapid Spanning Tree 

Protocol (RSTP) over High Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR), RSTP Ring-Only 

Mode and FuseNet network coupling protocols for maximum network uptime.

The latest Transport Layer Security (TLS) libraries enhance the security of network 

communication. The ability to disable unused slots on modular devices hinders 

unauthorized network access. Out-Of-Band management via a dedicated RJ45 port 

on the new GREYHOUND 1040 means that the devices can be managed even during 

high Central Processing Unit (CPU) load, for example if a network loop occurs.

HiOS also extends the range of applications for the latest generation of Industrial 

Ethernet products from Hirschmann. From cabling through switches and routers, 

supplemented by WLAN, firewalls and network management software, a seamless 

high availability solution for state-of-the-art automation networks is now available 

from a single supplier.

HiOS is focussed on redundancy technologies for maximum network availability. 

Devices running L2A software onwards offer unrestrained network topology design 

based on a combination of standards-based redundancy protocols and FuseNet 

coupling protocols.

Applications

The Hirschmann switches in the RSP, RSPL (Lite), RSPS (Smart), RED, Embedded 

Ethernet (EES) families, and OCTOPUS series, as well as the modular MSP, RSPE (Ex

pandable) and GREYHOUND systems, are ideally suited to virtually any application 

that calls for maximum network availability.

Markets

HiOS was developed specifically to meet the requirements of the automation sector. 

Examples include: 

• Automotive production

• Transportation

• Power transmission and distribution