Ethernet is the industry-standard networking solution of choice for information systems worldwide, in both military and commercial applications. Ethernet and IPv4/IPv6 are vital to the implementation of network enabled communications within the Global Information Grid (GIG). Whether it’s a set of fixed or ad-hock mobile networks, in benign or extremely harsh rugged environments, these transformational networks will form the means to seamlessly share voice, video and data across a heterogeneous set of networked sensors, soldiers, and platforms within the theater of operations. The results are undeniably advantageous. Ranging from superior situational awareness, increased lethality, improved command and control, or even more efficient supply chain management, Curtiss-Wright’s industry leading rugged Gigabit Ethernet switches and routers provide the core infrastructure that will help system integrators build rugged networks for today and the future.

The Curtiss-Wright multi-layer switching product lines can virtually transform almost any legacy bus-based system into a high performance, IP-enabled, network ready system. This can be done with maximum re-use and minimum upgrade costs through the use of Curtiss-Wright COTS solutions. Whether it’s adding a simple PMC switch on a free PMC site, introducing a complete switch or router in a spare VME, cPCI or VPX slot, or by integrating an independent standalone switchbox, any conventional legacy system can easily be transformed into a next-generation “network ready” subsystem that can securely connect to an in-vehicle Intra-Platform Network or alternatively to an external network through a secure tactical radio link within the GIG.

Curtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has developed a range of standards-based Gigabit Ethernet switching and routing products in response to the rapid growth of network enabled communications. The range of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products includes a set of managed and unmanaged multi-layer switches that can operate as simple layer 2 switches or as advanced layer 2/3+ routers in various form factors. Many of these switches and routers can be embedded in modular standalone units with their own redundant power supplies providing seamless connectivity between legacy and next generation systems.

With the formalization of the VITA 46 (VPX) and VITA 48 (VPX-REDI) industry standards, a path to 2 Level Maintenance (2-LM) is now possible. Curtiss-Wright’s VPX FireBlade routers have built-in Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection and enhanced Electromagnetic Capability (EMC) facilitating easier handling in-field. With added stiffening provided through protective covers, the Curtiss-Wright VPX-REDI FireBlade routing solutions result in smaller logical footprints of field replaceable units while considerably reducing overall logistical Operation and Support (O&S) costs.

>> Click here to learn more about our progress with VPX & VPX-REDI

Information is power, and protecting it should be of the highest priority. Often times, security is left as an after thought, but in today’s connected battlefield, networking security can be the difference between an advantage that can enable increased situational awareness or a disadvantage if hostile forces can bring down a communications network through a virus or a Denial of Service (DoS) attack – or worst plant a Trojan that can electronically eavesdrop on valuable realtime operational or mission critical information.

Curtiss-Wright’s FireBlade routers provide advanced standards based security unmatched by any other rugged 6U blade. With an ICSA certified statefull firewall that can protect against multiple attacks, Network Address Translation (NAT) for IPv4 masquerading, IPv6 with IPSec tunneling for secure communications channels, secure memory erase to clear sensitive data, and advanced standards based cryptographic functions (encryption, decryption, authentication, key generation), Curtiss-Wright provides the critical building blocks that protect networks while enabling seamless connectivity. Complete routing and security functionality fits within a single slot enabling an “all-in-one” Unified Threat Management (UTM) system that can be embedded throughout
a platform protecting various electronic subsystems.

Curtiss-Wright has designed its switches and routers rugged from the start – not as an afterthought. Curtiss-Wright’s VME-680 SwitchBlade and VME-682 FireBlade have been thoughtfully engineered with the highest quality to meet the most demanding rugged application requirements while maintaining the most efficient size, weight, and power envelopes. Ruggedization of Curtiss-Wright’s networking products is accomplished through careful component selection, optimal parts placement, use of wedge locks and built-in stiffeners, innovative thermal frame designs, unique built-in lightning protection circuitry, as well as many other design and implementation strategies that provide the highest levels of quality, longevity, and durability that very few switches and routers can claim. With a complete range of air-cooled and conduction cooled versions, network connectivity can be enabled in the lab, in ground stations, in manpacks, or deeply embedded within multiple air, land or sea platform electronic subsystems operating in harsh military or challenging peace keeping environments.

>> Click here to learn more about the 680 SwitchBlade
>> Click here to learn more about the 682 FireBlade 

Offering small to large port count options, the Curtiss-Wright Switching and Routing product lines provide systems integrators with the right combination of features, ports, and price points to meet the needs of individual applications. The 682 FireBlade’s 24 port variant is the first multi-layer switch to enable optional 10GbE uplinks in a VME 64x form factor that can be used for switch-to-switch stacking or for box-to-box connectivity. Additionally, the Curtiss-Wright solution allows the last 4 ports to be configured as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet or optical Ethernet enabling flexible connectivity. Advanced Optical Solution Ideal for low Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) and low Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) environments, optical network backbones are now possible within rugged environments through Curtiss-Wright’s innovative thermal frame design that allows optical fiber strands to route to the front of the card, have built-in support for the optical bend radius tolerances without compromising integrity and results in the lowest possible tolerance from the front of a card to the cover. Optical interconnection is implemented using single part rugged connectors with pig-tail strands less than 2mm thick. These optical strands can easily be routed to the back of the box via bulkhead connectors without ever violating the adjacent slot boundaries.

Curtiss-Wright provides advanced Layer 2, Layer 3, Management and Security software built-in to its high end routers. This software is common across the product line and results in maximum software re-use for the configuration and management of scripts on any Curtiss-Wright router. Through an intuitive industry standard Command Line Interface (CLI), Web interface or a standards based SNMP interface, the user can rapidly configure Curtiss-Wright multi-layer switches and routers. Combined with advanced security software and an ICSA certified security solution, the Curtiss-Wright solution is a cut above the rest.

High performance clusters using Gigabit Ethernet can now be designed with optimal performance. A significant improvement in the performance of high speed data movement over Gigabit Ethernet is now possible with the use of TCP Offload Engines (TOE) and Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) engines. TCP/IP processing is offloaded from the host CPU with the use of TOE modules while RDMA engines can be used to move data efficiently from memory to memory with minimal latencies. For certain applications a converged Gigabit Ethernet solution is attractive as it reduces the cost of managing multiple fabrics and protocols. Curtiss-Wright’s switches and routers provide wirespeed IPv4/v6 performance while advanced TOE/RDMA solutions from Curtiss-Wright partners enable a unified high performance fabric.

For applications that have limited space, Curtiss-Wright provides small form factor PMC and 3U Switches and Routers. Small-scale applications can range from unmanned air and ground vehicles to portable man-packs. These applications not only require optimal performance in harsh rugged environments but also have strict size restrictions. The Curtiss-Wright compact switching and routing solutions provide smaller port counts with a scalable feature set to fit most applications.