Description

The ENTERASYS C2RPS-CHAS2 is a dedicated redundant power supply (RPS) chassis designed exclusively for the Enterasys C2 Series of managed Gigabit Ethernet switches—particularly the C2G124-2 and C2G124-4 models. As part of Enterasys’ (now Extreme Networks) industrial-grade networking portfolio, this 1U-high enclosure allows the installation of two hot-swappable power supplies (either AC or DC variants such as C2RPS-AC or C2RPS-DC) to deliver true 1+1 power redundancy, ensuring continuous network operation even during power supply failure or maintenance.

Engineered for reliability in demanding environments—including manufacturing floors, utility substations, and transportation systems—the C2RPS-CHAS2 provides automatic failover, load balancing, and simplified serviceability, making it essential for applications where network downtime equates to production loss or safety risk.

Application Scenarios

At a North American automotive stamping plant, the factory floor network—built on Enterasys C2G124-4 switches—suffered a 3-hour outage when a single internal power supply failed during peak shift. Root cause: no external redundancy. The IT/OT team deployed the ENTERASYS C2RPS-CHAS2 with dual C2RPS-AC units across all 12 critical switches. Within weeks, one power supply failed silently—but traffic remained uninterrupted due to seamless failover. Maintenance replaced the faulty unit during routine rounds without halting presses. Over two years, network availability rose from 98.7% to 99.995%, preventing an estimated $2.3M in potential downtime losses. This demonstrates how the C2RPS-CHAS2 transforms vulnerable edge switches into resilient infrastructure nodes.

Note: The C2RPS-CHAS2 does not include power supplies—they must be ordered separately (e.g., C2RPS-AC). The chassis connects to the C2 switch via a proprietary high-current cable that carries both power and status signals.

Technical Principles and Innovative Values

Innovation Point 1: True Hot-Swap Without Traffic Interruption – Unlike simple dual-corded switches, the C2RPS-CHAS2 uses a centralized power bus that maintains voltage stability during PSU replacement—critical for real-time protocols like PROFINET or EtherNet/IP.

Innovation Point 2: Intelligent Power Monitoring & Alerting – The chassis reports PSU health (input voltage, output current, temperature) to the C2 switch via management interface, enabling SNMP traps or Syslog alerts for predictive maintenance.

Innovation Point 3: Space-Efficient Redundancy for Edge Deployments – Instead of requiring two full switches for redundancy, the C2RPS-CHAS2 delivers power-level fault tolerance in a fraction of the space—ideal for DIN-rail cabinets or telecom closets.

Innovation Point 4: DC Power Option for Industrial Resilience – With C2RPS-DC, plants using 24/48 VDC control power can eliminate AC/DC conversion points, reducing failure modes in harsh electrical environments.

Application Cases and Industry Value

A European railway signaling system retrofitted legacy hubs with C2G124-4 + C2RPS-CHAS2 to meet EN 50121 EMC standards. The dual C2RPS-DC configuration ensured network survival during grid fluctuations common near traction lines. Meanwhile, a Chilean copper mine deployed the C2RPS-CHAS2 in dust-filled control rooms—its sealed PSU bays and front-access design prevented contamination-related failures that plagued earlier non-redundant units. Mean time between failures (MTBF) for powered switches increased from 42.000 to >150.000 hours.

Related Product Combination Solutions

C2RPS-AC: 100–240 VAC redundant power supply—for standard facility power.

C2RPS-DC: 24/48 VDC redundant power supply—for industrial DC grids.

C2G124-4: 24-port Gigabit managed switch—primary host for C2RPS-CHAS2.

Extreme Networks EXOS: Migration path—modern switches with built-in dual PSUs (e.g., EX2300-C).

Panduit CABL-RPS: Replacement RPS cable—if original is damaged.

Schneider APC Smart-UPS: For upstream AC protection—complements C2RPS-CHAS2 during outages.

OPC Router or Tofino Firewall: When integrating C2 networks into IIoT—ensures security without bypassing redundancy.