The mining industry is moving fast toward a more connected, autonomous, and safer future demanding ever-more resilient, compact, and intelligent networking equipment to thrive in harsh, vibration-heavy, space-limited environments.
That’s exactly why Cisco has introduced the Cisco Catalyst IE3100 Heavy Duty Series, a new breed of industrial switch that delivers enterprise-grade connectivity in a rugged, IP67-rated package slim enough to mount inside a bulldozer cab or a mining trailer.
Compact size, heavy duty performance
At just under a kilo and built to withstand shock, vibration, dust, extreme temperatures (from –40 °C up to +75 °C) and water (IP66/67), the IE3100 Heavy Duty is engineered for the mining environment. It’s built to perform where others fail.
Its slim form factor makes it ideal for installation inside bulldozer cabs, haul trucks, or mining trailers, while delivering up to 8 Gigabit M12 ports for high-throughput connectivity to power high-data applications like real-time monitoring, sensors, cameras, and industrial AI.
For uninterrupted mining operations, the IE3100 offers deterministic networking with industrial protocols like PROFINET and EtherNet/IP, while ensuring redundant paths and fast failover through Cisco’s resiliency protocols such as Media Redundancy Protocol (MRP) and Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP).
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For securing your OT network, the IE3100 Heavy Duty runs Cisco IOS XE, offering enterprise-grade features such as Secure Boot, signed images, and Cisco’s Trust Anchor module. It also supports Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA) via Cisco Secure Equipment Access, enabling granular, controlled remote access to devices.
Safety through smarter edge connectivity
Mining safety increasingly depends on real-time monitoring whether it’s fatigue detection cameras inside vehicles, sensors for gas leaks, or wearable devices for underground crews. Traditional networking gear is often too bulky or fragile for last-mile deployment in mining.
The IE3100’s slim, fanless, heavy-duty design solves that problem, extending Cisco’s industrial network footprint right into the heart of mining machinery and mobile units.
This allows operators to connect sensors, cameras, and industrial IoT devices directly on equipment, creating seamless connectivity at the very edge from the pit to the control room ensuring critical safety data reaches command centers without delay.
Game-changing for modern mining
With its rugged design, enterprise-grade security, and ability to deliver gigabit networking in places no switch has gone before, the Cisco Catalyst IE3100 Heavy Duty is a game-changer for mining. It’s not just another rugged switch—it’s a mission-critical enabler of autonomy, safety, and reliable last-mile connectivity in the toughest conditions on earth.
For more information, reach out to us at [email protected] or learn more: Cisco Industrial IE3100 Heavy Duty Series or Cisco Portfolio for Mining