Increase your network redundancy: Introducing FRNT version 2

Westermo is pleased to announce the release of WeOS 4.28 which comes with extended network ring functionality and enhanced cybersecurity.

Introducing FRNT version 2 for extended redundancy

FRNT is Westermo’s own robust and reliable protocol for resilience in switched networks. Contributing to the robustness of our protocol is that we are careful, yet very effective, when opening alternative paths to make sure there is full connectivity but never any loops in a network.

With FRNT version 2 the robust and reliable foundation remains and added is the possibility to build more complex LAN structures. An example is a large distribution ring network where subrings can be added extend the LAN. This provides flexibility when building larger LAN structures in terms of distances and number of end devices, while retaining the reliable characteristics of FRNT.

A similar solution was available before the release of FRNT version 2 with FRNT (v0) together with FRNT Ring Coupling (RiCo). This was however, much more intricate and less intuitive. Now it is all built into FRNT, enabling simpler use due to only needing one protocol. Dr. Jon-Olov Vatn, Product Owner for Westermo Operating System explains ”Everything in FRNT version 2 is integrated in a way that enables more flexible and effective creation of redundant LAN structures, and actually makes it easier to achieve fast failover in topologies where you have rings and extra subrings."

Product manager of WeOS, Niklas Mörth adds “Our protocols can provide resilience effectively as they are optimized for ring and subring topologies, and that is one of the major things our customers appreciate. Our customers will never need to worry about their networks. They just work.”

Port monitoring improved

Also new with the release of 4.28 is persistent port monitoring. It is a matter of fact that most attacks against networks today go completely unnoticed. It is very hard, after an attack, to determine that it has occurred and to analyse what has happened. With port monitoring enabled, you can listen to traffic, store it on a fileserver for later analysis, or do real-time surveillance by connecting an intrusion detection system (IDS).

Port monitoring is especially important for critical infrastructures. Port monitoring in WeOS prior to the release of 4.28 was mainly used for debugging. By making port monitoring persistent, the configurations made on a switch will remain after a switch reboots, saving time and effort for our customers.

Aquaint yourself with the enhanced features by downloading the latest version of WeOS.