Claiming to meet an industry standard is one thing, proving to the world that you actually do so is a different matter. And that’s exactly why independent certification matters.
Certifications are not about ticking a box; they are about building trust. When a third-party, independent certification organization gives the stamp of approval, it sends a clear message: “We’ve got this. And we’ve got proof.”
Schneider Electric continues to invest in independent certifications for the EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card (NMC) as a powerful way to show our customers and partners that we walk the talk. Our latest achievement is attaining NMC IPv6 certification.
Our Network Management Card is now IPv6 certified
IPv4, which was developed in 1983, has done its job well for decades, aside from one big design flaw: only 4.3 billion unique addresses were ever available. While that may sound sufficient, as we’ve all seen, the world is filled with internet-connected devices, so addresses are running out.
Its successor—IPv6—solves this shortage and provides enhanced security and more efficient routing. Its adoption is happening now with government agencies, major Internet Service Providers, and tech giants all rolling out IPv6.
To secure IPv6 certification, Schneider Electric worked with the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Labs (UNH-IOL), which is a university-based, industry-driven testing facility that fosters interoperability for networking and data communications products.
Our independent IPv6 certification for version 3.4 and above offers credible third-party validation that the EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card complies with the required IPv6 standard.
If your organization hasn’t gone all-in on IPv6 yet, it’s only a matter of time before it moves from optional upgrade to absolute necessity.
EtherNet/IP Protocol for Smart-UPS
EtherNet/IP is a big player in factory and process manufacturing landscapes. In these industrial settings, requirements vary greatly from office IT environments.
The data being transmitted in a factory, for example, comes from programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which access operator workstations and input/output devices including sensors and additional industrial machines.
Digital communications in industrial settings must be instantaneous because problems can occur any second. The reason EtherNet/IP is used in industrial environments is due to its real-time and high-integrity capabilities. It’s a robust protocol based on the common industrial protocol (CIP). The EtherNet/IP and CIP technologies are managed by ODVA, Inc., a global trade and standards development organization founded in 1995 with over 300 corporate members.
As EtherNet/IP is fully accepted for industrial automation, Schneider Electric recently added EtherNet/IP support for the Network Management Card for APC Smart-UPS, recognising that Smart-UPS are widely used in industrial and manufacturing environments.
Again, to walk the talk when it comes to meeting all standards for EtherNet/IP in industrial environments, Schneider Electric invested in ODVA certification, which we were awarded with the Network Management Card v3.4 release.
Cybersecurity remains our focus
Of course, regardless of the environment or network settings, cybersecurity remains at the forefront of everything we do.
In October 2024, we announced an industry first: our Network Management Card platform became the first NMC to achieve the independently certified IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) designation from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Our focus on cybersecurity is strong and the new level of independent certification ensures that vendor products designed for data center and distributed IT environments meet a set of well-defined security requirements and undergo thorough testing and assessment. To add to our announcement, we also had our development processes certified as ISASecure® Secure Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) compliant and we remain the only vendor with this dual certification.
Every single Network Management Card update is recertified to this standard; an ongoing investment in R&D—time and money we consider well spent.
Meeting a high standard with NMC IPv6 certification
Our third-party certifications are not a checkbox—they are a gamechanger. They signal that our NMC meets a high standard. The certifications build trust in Schneider Electric’s ability to deliver products in line with demands from customers and other stakeholders. By ensuring consistent standards with these certifications, the EcoStruxure IT team is providing our customers with peace of mind. Lastly, certifications help our customers comply with regulations and they can help reduce legal and financial risks.
Discover more about the NMC, its IPv6 certification, and other third-party certifications by visiting our website.
Add a comment