Advantech Launches MIC-3850: Rugged 3U Managed Ethernet Switch Card for Demanding Railway Applications

Advantech, Taipei, Taiwan, 05.11.2025 - Advantech, a global leader in industrial IoT, today announced the launch of the MIC-3850, a powerful 3U managed Ethernet switch card designed for the harshest industrial environments – particularly targeting railway applications. Built in the CompactPCI Serial (CPCI-S) form factor, the MIC-3850 sets a new benchmark for port density, reliability, and managed features within its class.

Uncompromising Reliability and Standards Compliance

The MIC-3850 is purpose-built for mission-critical applications. Its adherence to EN50155, EN50121-4, and EN50121-3-2 guarantees resilience against the demanding conditions inherent in railway environments. Customers gain peace of mind knowing their network backbone is engineered for maximum uptime and regulatory safety compliance, minimizing costly downtime and ensuring passenger and crew safety.

Flexible Multiple Port Configuration

Maximizing connectivity within a compact 3U CPCI-S footprint, the MIC-3850 delivers up to 19 front-panel (22 max. total) GbE ports (M12 or RJ-45 options) plus 1 front-panel 10G Base-T port,(4 max total) alongside 3 GbE ports and 3 10G Base-T ports accessible via the backplane (P6 connector). This scalable design offers customers the flexibility to support numerous edge connections or high-speed backplane uplinks, while keeping systems efficient and cost effective.

Advanced Industrial L2 Managed Switching Function

Beyond robust hardware, the MIC-3850 features comprehensive managed capabilities essential for modern industrial networks:

• Enhanced Security: 802.1X port-based authentication (MD5/PEAP) and RADIUS support safeguard network access.
• Versatile Management: SNMP v1/v2c/v3, WEB GUI, Telnet, and comprehensive MIB support enables easy monitoring and configuration.
• Prioritized Traffic: Robust Quality of Service (QoS) features guarantee reliable bandwidth for critical applications.

Targeted Applications: The MIC-3850 is ideally suited for harsh and rugged industrial applications where reliability is paramount. Its primary focus is on railway systems, including onboard train networks, trackside communication, and signaling systems. Its robustness also makes it applicable for other demanding sectors like industrial automation, power utility substations, and marine applications.

Complete System Solutions

Seamlessly integrates into Advantech's ecosystem for railway computing:

• Robust Power: MIC-3890V2 serves as the power supply solution for the entire system, providing an independent 12V output.
• Rugged Enclosures: Designed for integration into Advantech's 3U or 4U fanless or forced-air-cooled chassis.
• Central Processing: Works alongside Advantech CPU boards like the MIC-330/MIC-330V2/MIC-332 within a 21-slot, 19-inch, 3U CPCI-S enclosure, enabling powerful multi-system solutions managed via the backplane.
• Competitive Edge: The MIC-3850 distinguishes itself through its exceptional combination of high port density (22xGbE + 4x10G) within the 3U CPCI-S form factor, and specific railway certifications (EN50155, EN50121-4). This integrated approach within a standard 3U 19-inch CPCI-S chassis allows customers to build compact, high-performance, and highly reliable multi-function systems more efficiently than separable components. Its support for a wide array of critical networking standards (IEEE 802.3, .3u, .3ab, .3an, .3x, 802.1D, .1w, .1s, .1p, .1Q, .1X, .3ad) ensures interoperability and future-proofing.

Availability

The Advantech MIC-3850 Managed Ethernet Switch Card is available for order immediately.

Conclusion 

The Advantech MIC-3850 delivers robust connectivity, consistent reliability, and advanced management features required for the next generation of industrial and railway networks. By offering unprecedented port density within a certified, rugged form factor and seamless integration into scalable CPCI-S systems, Advantech empowers customers to build simpler, more powerful, and highly resilient infrastructure for critical applications.