August 23, 2016

MN-FNS Series Switch Applications

Introduction
Edwards has offered Ethernet switches for over ten years and was the first company to
introduce Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Listed Ethernet switches to the market in July
2009. Our MN-NETSW1 and MN-NETSW2 switches provided unmanaged connectivity
of Emergency Communication and fire alarm systems through multi-mode and single
mode fiber, respectively, listed to UL 864 (fire alarm) and UL 2572 (mass notification).
Over time, network requirement requests have grown in size and complexity to include:
 Redundant and survivable network topology equivalent to Class A in the life
safety industry. Consulting and specifying engineers increasingly recognize that
a single failure on a mission-critical Ethernet pathway is unacceptable.
 Management of traffic and VLANs, including QoS (Quality of Service) or separate
logical networks to ensure priority and segregation of critical life safety or
emergency communication traffic.
 Flexibility in fiber connectivity options within each switch. The MN-NETSW1/2
solution required additional switches as interface converters if a site had a mix of
single mode and multi-mode fiber.

Enter the Age of Cisco®

Edwards has partnered with Cisco®, to meet these current and future network
challenges today! This alliance has yielded an array of powerful Ethernet infrastructure
solutions.
The UL 864/2572 listed MN-FNS series switches can be deployed to:
 Create high-speed Class A survivability with the use of Cisco® REP (Resilient
Ethernet Protocol). This protocol allows detection of a network fault within 50 ms
and network communications restoral in less than 250 ms.
 Effectively and precisely manage network configurations and traffic flow routing.
The MN-FNS series switches also support powerful software tools to assist with
this management.

1|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

 Utilize UL 864/2572 listed hot-pluggable MN-FNS Series SFP modules for

connections at each fiber port to provide transition to different types of fiber for
retrofit applications.
Note: The use of Edwards UL Listed Ethernet Switches is required to maintain the UL
listing of the site. Contact Applications for more details

Basic Ethernet Network Capabilities

The current offering of Ethernet enabled equipment includes:
• FireWorks workstation and server computers and monitors
• EST3X, iO64 or iO500 FACU (with appropriate Ethernet module);
• MN-COM1S TCP/IP to RS-232 Interface (for EST3 and VESDA HLI);
• MN-FVPN VoIP encoder/decoder;
• MN-NETRLY4 Network Relay Module.
These devices commonly serve as “end” devices on a Local Area Network (LAN).They
are physical nodes which terminate the end of a Layer 1 segment and do not distribute
the LAN to other network switches or devices.
Edwards MN-FNS Series Ethernet switches offer a choice of three models
 MN-FNS4C2F3 - A small panel-mount four copper and two fiber port switch
 MN-FNS8C2F3 - A medium panel-mount eight copper and two fiber port switch
 MN-FNS8C18F2 - A large eight copper and eighteen fiber port switch suitable for
rack or panel mounting
 Simplified, logical part nomenclature-

MN-FNS4C2F3

MN-FNS8C2F3 MN-FNS8C18F2

2|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

Copper 100 Mb SFP Gb SFP Layer 2 or Rack Mount or

Model
Ports Fiber Ports Fiber Ports Layer 3 Lite? Panel Mount?
MN-FNS4C2F3 4 2 0 3 Panel
MN-FNS8C2F3 8 2 0 3 Panel
MN-FNS8C18F2 8 16 2 2* Both
* MN-FNS8C18F2 is a layer 2 switch with an optional license (part number MN-
FNS8C18F2UK3) to upgrade to layer 3 Lite as defined in the OSI Ethernet model.

UL Requirements for UTP Cable

UL restricts copper LAN infrastructure (Unshielded Twisted Pair, or “UTP” cable) for use
as life safety system pathway segments to the following criteria per UL 864 and UL
2572:
1) UTP LAN cable connections must be made within 20 feet (6.1 m)
2) UTP LAN cable must be enclosed in conduit or equivalent protection
3) UTP LAN cable segment must be in the same room with the devices to which it
connects (between the switch and the end device).
Connections that exceed the restrictions above (typically from one switch to another
switch), necessitate fiber connections to meet the UL requirements.

Switch Choices
The types and quantity of communication ports required at each physical location for a
project must be analyzed to determine which of the three different Ethernet switches is
most appropriate.
Typically, a switch located at end devices requires the MN-FNS4C2F3 or MN-
FNS8C2F4. These are capable of Fast Ethernet copper cable connections to a
maximum of either 4 or 8 devices, respectively, and also have two SFP sockets to a
variety of fiber optic connections to other switches. The number of end devices would
determine whether the 4 or 8 port switch should be used.
Typical switch applications are decided by capacity:

Up to Four End Devices

• A site has one FireWorks workstation and an EST3 node located in the same
room. This is an example of two (2) devices so the MN-FNS4C2F3 switch can
accommodate this requirement with two spares for future use.

3|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

EXPRESS
SETUP
1X 2X

1X

CONSOLE
-
DC-A
+

! USB EXP SYS

+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A

-
DC-B
4X
+
ALARM
IN1 IN2 OUT

3X 4X

5X

COM

5X 6X
IN2
REF
6X IN1

Five to Eight End Devices

• A site has one FireWorks workstation, an EST3 node, an MN-FVPN encoder,
and a pair of MN-FVPN decoders for a total of five (5) devices. The MN-
FNS8C2F3 switch provides the required five connections with three additional.
EXPRESS
SETUP
1X 4X

1X 2X

CONSOLE
-
DC-A
+

! USB EXP SYS

+ 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A

-
DC-B
7X 8X
+
ALARM
IN1 IN2 OUT

5X 8X

1 1

COM

1 2

LAN Cable IN2

REF

2 2 IN1
MN-FVPN

MN-FVPN

MN-FVPN

24VDC 24VDC 24VDC

LAN LAN LAN

Line In Line In Line In

Line Out Line Out Line Out

Fiber Hubs
The MN-FNS8C18F2 switches are typically used at fiber hubs. Fiber hubs are common
at larger campuses that have fiber optic pathways connecting one central building out to
many buildings in a star or spoke arrangement. The individual buildings would use the
MN-FNS4C2F3 or MN-FNS8C2F3 as indicated above, however at the fiber hub
location, the MN-FNS8C18F2 may be a better choice.

4|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS

EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS SETUP
SETUP SETUP SETUP SETUP SETUP 1X 2X
1X 4X 1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X SETUP SETUP
1X 4X 1X 4X

1X 1X 1X 1X 1X
1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X

CONSOLE
CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE
CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE
- - - - - -
- -
DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A
DC-A DC-A
+ + + + + + + +

! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A
! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A ! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A
! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A
USB EXP SYS USB EXP SYS USB EXP SYS

- - - - - - - -
DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B
7X 8X 4X 4X 4X 4X 7X 8X 7X 8X 4X
+ + + + + + + +
ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM
IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT
5X 8X 3X 4X 3X 4X 3X 4X 3X 4X 5X 8X 5X 8X 3X 4X

1 1 5X 5X 5X 5X 1 1 1 1 5X

COM COM COM COM COM COM COM

COM
1 2 5X 6X 5X 6X 5X 6X 5X 6X 1 2 1 2
5X 6X
IN2 IN2 IN2
IN2 IN2 IN2 IN2 IN2
REF REF REF
REF REF REF REF REF
2 2 IN1 2 2 IN1 2 2 IN1
6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1

1X 7X 9X 15X 17X POWER OVER ETHERNE T 23X CONSOLE 100-240V~, 50-60Hz, 2A 100-240V~, 50-60Hz, 2A
EXPRESS
SETUP
L
~ N L
~ N

+ Hi - + Hi -
EN ALARMS
PSU1
PSU2
CON

OUT
USB
SYS

PoE
IN1
IN2
IN3
IN4
SD

100-250V , 2A 100-250V , 2A
1 2
PSU1 PSU2
Lo Lo
! + - + -

18X POWER OVER ETHERNE T 24X 24-60V , 10A 24-60V , 10A

ETHERNET PORTS ALARM
2X 8X 10X 16X

The MN-FNS8C18F2 switches can also be used to connect up to eight (8) local end
devices. These eight connections must still observe the UL requirements for UTP cable
connections as previously stated.

EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS

EXPRESS EXPRESS EXPRESS SETUP
SETUP SETUP SETUP SETUP SETUP 1X 2X
1X 4X 1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X SETUP SETUP
1X 4X 1X 4X

1X 1X 1X 1X 1X
1X 2X 1X 2X 1X 2X

CONSOLE
CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE
CONSOLE

CONSOLE

CONSOLE
- - - - - -
- -
DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A DC-A
DC-A DC-A
+ + + + + + + +

! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A
! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A ! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A ! + 12/24/48
0.5-2.0A
! USB EXP SYS
+ 12/24/48
0.5-3.0A
USB EXP SYS USB EXP SYS USB EXP SYS

- - - - - - - -
DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B DC-B
7X 8X 4X 4X 4X 4X 7X 8X 7X 8X 4X
+ + + + + + + +
ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM ALARM
IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT IN1 IN2 OUT
5X 8X 3X 4X 3X 4X 3X 4X 3X 4X 5X 8X 5X 8X 3X 4X

1 1 5X 5X 5X 5X 1 1 1 1 5X

COM COM COM COM COM COM COM

COM
1 2 5X 6X 5X 6X 5X 6X 5X 6X 1 2 1 2
5X 6X
IN2 IN2 IN2
IN2 IN2 IN2 IN2 IN2
REF REF REF
REF REF REF REF REF
2 2 IN1 2 2 IN1 2 2 IN1
6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1 6X IN1

Fiber
1X 7X 9X 15X 17X POWER OVER ETHERNE T 23X CONSOLE 100-240V~, 50-60Hz, 2A 100-240V~, 50-60Hz, 2A
EXPRESS
SETUP
L
~ N L
~ N

+ Hi - + Hi -
EN ALARMS
PSU1
PSU2
CON

OUT
USB
SYS

PoE
IN1
IN2
IN3
IN4
SD

100-250V , 2A 100-250V , 2A
1 2
PSU1 PSU2
Lo Lo
! + - + -

18X POWER OVER ETHERNE T 24X 24-60V , 10A 24-60V , 10A

ETHERNET PORTS ALARM
2X 8X 10X 16X

LAN Cable

24VDC
MN-FVPN

LAN

Line In
Line Out

Switch Mounting Hardware

The MN-FNS4C2F3 and MN-FNS8C2F3 switches can mount onto the MN-BRKT1F or
MN-BRKT3F, but require an MN-FNS (4, 8) HDK1 hold down bracket specific to the 4-
or 8-port switch. The MN-BRKT1F brackets mount into a 3-CHAS7 location in an EST3
cabinet while the MN-BRKT3F mounts into an APS6A power supply.
The MN-FNS8C18F2 switch takes one rack unit (1.75”) in a minimum 14” deep,
standard 19” rack with the MN-FNSRMK1 rack mount kit.

5|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

The MN-FNS8C18F2 switch can also mount into an EST3 cabinet with the MN-
BRKT8C18F. If mounted in an EST3 cabinet, no other electronics may be installed in
that cabinet in order to maintain UL compliance.

Switch Ordering Matrix

Switch Selection
1 to 4 5 to 8
FE LAN Ports FE LAN Ports
Two
Gigabit
Fiber Ports

MN-FNS4C2F3 MN-FNS8C2F3
Two
GigaBit Fiber Ports
with 16 FE Fiber
Ports Add Add
MN-FNS4HDK1 MN-FNS8HDK1
More than Two Hold Down Kit Hold Down Kit
Gigabit Fiber Ports MN-FNS8C18F2
Contact Applications

19 Inch Rack EST3 RCC

EST3 CAB/RCC APS6A
Mounting Mounting
Mounting Mounting

Add Add Add Add

MN-FNSRMK1 MN-BRKT8C18F MN-BRKT1F MN-BRKT3F

SFP Choices
All of the Edwards Ethernet switches accept SFP (small form-factor pluggable)
transceivers for connection to fiber pathways. These should be ordered to match the
fiber type and also some of the other parameters for the installation. There are a total of
seven SFP modules available to provide flexible connectivity options.

6|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

Note that all SFP modules utilize LC-type connectors. For retrofit applications, a multi-
mode fiber LC to ST adapter is available as p/n MN-FNSLC2STMM1, as well as an ST
to ST barrel connector p/n MN-FNSST2STCON1.
Note that the SFP model chosen must match on opposite ends of the same fiber cable.
The only exceptions to this rule are the MN-FNSGBSSM10KD and MN-
FNSGBSSM10KU pair which are discussed last.
Standard Application SFP Modules
• MN-FNSFEMM2K – This SFP provides the basic multi-mode fiber connection at
Fast Ethernet (100MB) speeds. This is usable with up to 10 dB of fiber and
connector loss, typically about 2 Km or about 1.2 miles.
• MN-FNSFEDSM10K - This SFP provides the basic single-mode fiber connection at
Fast Ethernet (100MB) speeds. This is also usable with up to 10 dB of fiber and
connector loss, but on single mode fiber, this is typically about 10 Km or about 6.2
miles.
• MN-FNSGBDSM10K - This SFP provides single-mode fiber connection at Gigabit
Ethernet (1,000MB) speeds with up to 15.2 dB of fiber and connector loss, which is
typically about 10 Km or about 6.2 miles. This SFP requires Gigabit SFP ports.
• MN-FNSGBDSM70K - This SFP provides single mode fiber connection at Gigabit
Ethernet (1,000MB) speeds with up to 20 dB of fiber and connector loss, which is
typically about 70 Km or over 43 miles. This SFP requires Gigabit SFP ports.
Special Application SFP Modules
• MN-FNSGBDSMDR – This is a special application SFP that is designed to work with
DWDM equipment. DWDM stands for “Dense Wave Division Multiplexing” and is
used when multiple Ethernet communications must co-exist on a single fiber pair.
An appropriate application for this could be a large metropolitan area with multiple
buildings and limited fiber pairs between the buildings. In this case, the cost of
adding more fiber is prohibitive.
DWDM is a solution that allows multiple Ethernet communications on a single pair of
fiber by using different light wavelengths. Standard Single Mode fiber
communications always uses the standard 1550 nanometers light.
In a DWDM Ethernet system, each Ethernet communication is sent out in different
wavelengths (color) of light. For example, Ethernet signal A may be deep blue while
B will be green and C will be yellow. These different wavelengths are standardized in
the IT industry into 96 different channels for use on a single fiber pair. The DWDM
hardware combines all the different channels to transmit on the fiber simultaneously
while matching equipment separates out the wavelengths at the other end.
This SFP module creates the Ethernet communication on channel 41. This is a

7|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

single mode SFP and should not be used without consulting Applications to verify
that this special SFP is appropriate for the site.
• MN-FNSGBSSM10KD and MN-FNSGBSSM10KU are two special application SFP
modules that function as a matched set. The application that these support is bi-
directional communication over a single fiber.
Normally, one fiber in a pair will carry the transmitted signal from location A to
location B, using the standard Single Mode light wavelength of 1550 nm. The other
fiber in the pair will carry the transmit signal from location B back to location A on the
same 1550 nm wavelength. Since these signals are on different fibers, there are no
conflicts. If these were on the same fiber, the normal reflections from connections
and other anomalies would corrupt both signals.
This SFP pair uses a method similar to the DWDM SFP in that it uses different
wavelengths of light to separate communications on one fiber. In this case 1490 nm
wavelength is used to transmit from the MN-FNSGBSSM10KD location to the MN-
FNSGBSSM10KU location and 1310 nm wavelength is used to transmit back in the
other direction. In this way, a single fiber can provide bi-directional communication
which is not normally possible. This is also a special and more costly application and
should only be used when adding more fibers is either impossible or prohibitively
expensive.
More information on these advanced fiber technologies and other fiber training is
available at the Fiber Optic Association, Inc. website http://www.thefoa.org/.

SFP Ordering Matrix

The SFP Modules can be ordered by following the flow chart below.

8|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

SFP Selection

Multimode
Fiber
MN-FNSFEMM2K
(10/100 Only)
2Km Fiber

Standard
Application GigaBit Ethernet
Single Mode (1000 Mbit)
Fiber

Fast Ethernet 10 Kilometer 70 Kilometer

(10/100 Mbit) Fiber Distance Fiber Distance

Add Add
MN-FNSFEDSM10K MN-FNSGBDSM70K
MN-FNSGBDSM10K

Special
Application
Single Mode
Fiber

Bi-Directional DWDM
On One Fiber

MN-FNSGBSSM10KU
MN-FNSGBDSMDR
MN-FNSGBSSM10KD
Contact Applications
Contact Applications

9|Page
EST Sales Bulletin

Summary
Edwards’ strategic alliance with Cisco® delivers comprehensive, UL 2572- and 864
Ethernet switch solutions for mass notification and fire alarm applications. From small
campus LAN installations to the largest enterprise-level requirements, the MN-FNS
Series switches provide a level of code-compliant connectivity and survivability that is
unrivaled in the life safety and emergency communications industries.
This bulletin is intended to explain some of the details and application options of the
Edwards MN-FNS Series switches, SFP modules and accessories. The hope is that this
may provide some ideas for solutions that are not initially apparent.
For in-depth answers to application-specific questions concerning configuration options
and design, please contact the Edwards Applications Engineering Department.

Contact information

8985 Town Center Parkway

Bradenton FL, 34202
T (800) 655-4497
F (866) 226-2126

10 | P a g e