Download document () of 20

Gigabit Network Card FAQ

The Eaton Gigabit Network Card (Network-M3) is Eaton’s latest UPS connectivity device that delivers IT professionals with new and exciting capabilities and features. With better speed and cybersecurity, the Gigabit Network Card improves business continuity in two ways: by providing warnings of pending issues to administrators and helping to perform orderly shutdown of servers and storage.  

Questions about the features and benefits of the Gigabit Network Card?

What is the Eaton Network-M3 card?

The Network-M3, like its Eaton network card predecessors, is an accessory that plugs into Eaton-branded UPSs and ATSs—adding an Ethernet port that connects these devices to a computer network. The value-added features the network card provides are include:

  • Monitoring capabilities that improve visibility of infrastructure power
  • Far-reaching UPS/ATS management capabilities
  • Time-saving automation of updates, response actions and other tasks
  • Enhanced safety and protection

What is the difference between the Network-M2 card and the Network-M3 card?

Network-M3 is a platform refresh of the Gigabit Network Card from the earlier Network-M2 version. Network-M3 provides immediate performance benefits and also serves as a platform for accommodating future network card developments. Current Network-M3 improvements over Network-M2 include:

Firmware updates

  • User-configurable firewall for enhanced security
  • Secure boot process minimizes cyber threats
  • Faster, more accurate network card provisioning

Updated components

  • Updated processor (faster, more efficient)
  • Hardware root-of-trust security

Software compatibilities

  • Adds Edge to supported browsers
  • Compatible with Eaton’s Brightlayer Data Centers suite software (see below) and Intelligent Power Protection software

What is the cost of updating Network-M3 firmware?

Network-M3 firmware updates are free-of-charge

What are some common applications of the Network-M3 card?

The Network-M3 card is ideal for organizations looking for more effective ways to manage the mission-critical IT power. These include:

  • Small- to medium-sized businesses with a small and/or part-time IT staff
  • Distributed/remote offices
    • Retail
    • Food service
  • Campus-based organizations
    • Hospitals
    • Universities/K-12
  • Government/military

Is the Network-M3 card compatible with Eaton Brightlayer Data Centers suite software?

Yes, the new network card works with Data Center Performance Management (DCPM), Distributed IT Performance Management (DITPM) and Disaster Avoidance Software, also known as Intelligent Power Manager (IPM). For Remote Monitoring Service software, it works with Cyber Secured Monitoring (CSM, for EMEA).

Does Eaton still sell the Network-M2?

The Network-M2 card is being replaced by the Network-M3 card and will only be available while supplies last. Availability will vary based on global region. For additional information on the legacy Network-M2 card, click here.

What are the cybersecurity enhancements?

Eaton’s Gigabit Network Card was the first solution of its kind to obtain independent cybersecurity certifications UL 2900-1 and IEC 62443-4-2. The M3 version continues this emphasis on cybersecurity with the following enhancements:

Zero-trust architecture

  • Chain-of-trust encryption and secure firmware boot capability prevent the Gigabit Network Card from being a cyberattack vulnerability point on a network by ensuring that executed firmware is Eaton-authorized
  • Loader can upgrade only to genuine encrypted Eaton firmware

Secure authorization options

  • SB-327-compliant role-based access
  • Account expiration and locking

Additional threat barriers

  • User-configurable firewall provides an additional layer of security to protect the Gigabit Network Card and the UPS system from unauthorized access and cyberattacks
  • Remote storage of security key makes the device tamper-resistant
  • Small attackable “surface area” with only necessary packages installed and only necessary services enabled by default
  • Email alerts are sent through secure SMTP and can be integrated with Google Workspace and Office365

 

Which network ports need to be open for the communication between the card and IPP/IPM?

For discovery service: 5353/udp (MDNS/DNS-SD)

For communication: 8883/tcp (MQTT)

Which authentication protocols does the Network-M3 support?

RADIUS and LDAP

Does the Gigabit Network Card enhance the capabilities of the UPS?

YES – in addition to enhanced cybersecurity benefits, the Network-M3 card provides a cost-saving and performance-improving platform for managing multiple UPS systems as devices on a network. This allows for more efficient maintenance and monitoring of power and faster responses to downtime, including remote rebooting of connected devices. 

Does the Gigabit Network Card meet the requirements of modern IT environments?

With support for 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet, the Network-M3 Gigabit Network Card can meet the demands of high-speed networks. The card’s REST API allows organizations to easily integrate it with native systems and automate M2M interactions. It is compatible with the following network protocols: HTTPS1.1, MQTTS, TLS1.2, SNMPv1, SNMPv2c, SNMP v3, NTP, SMTPS, BOOTP/DHCP, CLI, SSH, ARP and Syslog. Of course, only bare minimum required protocols are enabled by default, and over TLS, to ensure secure connection.

How else will the Gigabit Network Card help me?

The Network Gigabit Card allows for rapid configuration of network cards, saving time exponentially in large-scale deployments.

USB ports can accommodate accessories like environmental monitoring probes, which can provide data on the temperature and humidity in your IT installation, as well as dry-contact monitoring. It can be daisy-chained (up to 3 per host), allowing multiple sensor connections to a single host.

The Certificate manager helps IT professionals easily create and distribute digital certificates to multiple devices, reducing the administrative burden and streamlining the management of a UPS system.

Real-time monitoring from Chrome and Edge browsers allows for fast, convenient response to power issues.

Is the Gigabit Network Card compliant with RoHS 3?

Yes. Read the full EU Declaration of Conformity for more information.  

Questions about the features and benefits of the Gigabit Network Card?