We speak both OT and IT
We understand production environments and enterprise networks.
Reliable network hardware for critical OT and IT environments
A reliable network does not start with a switch.
It starts with a well-thought-out architecture in which industrial production, enterprise networks, cybersecurity and connectivity work seamlessly together.
4net helps organisations design, select and implement network hardware for environments where continuity, availability and security are crucial.
From industrial Hirschmann networks to Cisco infrastructures and Fortinet security solutions: we ensure OT and IT remain securely connected.
Why network hardware today is more than connectivity
The era when OT networks were completely separate from IT is over.
Production lines communicate with ERP systems. Machines send data to cloud platforms. Cameras, sensors, WLAN networks and industrial applications are permanently connected to corporate networks.
This evolution calls for network hardware designed for:
- High availability
- Redundancy
- Cybersecurity
- Scalability
- Future growth
That is exactly where 4net supports organisations.
Would you like to know where the biggest risks or bottlenecks in your network lie?
Why organisations choose 4net
Hardware and expertise
We don't just supply products — we also help with design and architecture.
Project stock on call
For standardised projects, we can reserve hardware and keep it available.
Bill of quantities calculations
Support with measurement statements, calculations and technical dossiers.
Redundancy as a starting point
Focus on continuity and business reliability.
Partner of leading manufacturers
Cisco, Hirschmann, Belden, Fortinet, Dätwyler and Triton.
Our solutions
Industrial switches & Ethernet
Enterprise switching & campus networking
Routers, firewalls & security
Wireless & WLAN
Fiber & connectivity
Industrial switches & Ethernet
Reliable industrial networks form the backbone of modern production environments, logistics facilities, utilities and critical infrastructure.
4net supports organisations in designing and building industrial Ethernet networks that guarantee maximum availability, security and continuity.
We work with, among others:
- Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet
- Cisco Industrial Ethernet
- Belden industrial network solutions
- Industrial DIN-rail switches
- Ruggedized switches for harsh environments
- Backbone and aggregation switches
- Fibre networks for industrial applications
Build a high-performance and secure industrial network foundation and get your operations ready for the future with Cisco Industrial Ethernet switches.
Expertise in industrial networks
As a specialised partner for industrial networks, we support organisations in integrating both Hirschmann and Cisco solutions for OT environments.
Thanks to our expertise in both IT and OT, we help organisations build secure, scalable and future-oriented industrial networks that can withstand the high demands of modern production and infrastructure environments.
Key features
- MRP rings for fast redundancy
- RSTP and advanced redundancy protocols
- High availability and minimal downtime
- Industrial IEC62443 certifications
- Extensive diagnostics and network monitoring
- Fibre connectivity
- Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality
- Industrial cybersecurity integration
- Support for PROFINET and EtherNet/IP
- Network segmentation for OT environments
For critical environments
Our solutions are deployed in:
- Manufacturing companies
- Logistics centres
- Energy and utility companies
- Water treatment facilities
- Infrastructure projects
- Data centres
- Machine building and OEM applications
Thanks to our expertise in Cisco Industrial Ethernet, Hirschmann solutions and industrial OT networks, we support organisations in designing, implementing and maintaining networks that production processes can continue to rely on.
Need help with an industrial network?
Discover how we support production environments and critical infrastructure.
Enterprise switching & campus networking
Reliable enterprise networks form the foundation for modern office environments, campuses, warehouses and data centres. 4net helps organisations design and implement scalable network architectures that combine high performance with easier management and maximum availability.
We work with, among others:
- Cisco Catalyst
- Cisco Nexus
- Cisco Meraki
- Hirschmann IT MTS – Enterprise Network Switch
- Juniper
- Extreme Networks
- Huawei
and support access, distribution and core networks.
Cybersecurity, Firewalls & Secure Networking
A high-performance network must not only be fast and available, but also secure. 4net helps organisations design, implement and manage secure network architectures for both IT and OT environments. We combine network expertise with innovative cybersecurity solutions from Fortinet, Cisco, Splunk and others. From firewalls, network segmentation and secure remote access to monitoring, logging and security analysis: we help organisations protect their network, users and business processes.
Cybersecurity does not stop at a firewall.
That is why we align technology, network architecture and operational management to deliver secure, manageable and future-proof networks.
Want to know more about our cybersecurity solutions and secure networking expertise?
Reliable Enterprise Wi-Fi & industrial WLAN
Reliable wireless connectivity is essential today for production environments, logistics processes and mobile users. 4net helps organisations design, implement and manage wireless networks that combine high performance, secure connectivity and maximum availability.
In both office environments and industrial and logistics applications.
- Production halls
- Logistics centres
- Warehouses
- Campuses
- Business environments
With technologies and solutions from:
- Cisco
- Cisco Meraki
- Hirschmann
- Juniper Mist
- Extreme Networks
- Our expertise
4net supports organisations with:
- Wireless site surveys and coverage analyses
- Design of WLAN architectures
- Industrial wireless networks
- Roaming for mobile applications
- Secure guest networks
- Network segmentation and access control
- Central monitoring and management
- Integration with existing IT and OT networks
For demanding environments
Whether scanners in a warehouse, tablets on the shop floor, AGVs, mobile operators or office users: a wireless network must remain reliable, even in challenging environments. With our expertise in enterprise wireless and industrial WLAN solutions, we help organisations build secure, stable and future-proof wireless networks.
Problems with coverage, roaming or wireless performance? We help with site surveys, architecture and reliable Wi-Fi solutions.
Fibre, Copper & Connectivity
A network is only as reliable as the infrastructure it is built on.
4net supports organisations and installers with quality copper and fibre solutions for enterprise networks, industrial environments, data centres and critical infrastructure.
From network cabling and fibre components to transceivers, patch panels, certification and technical support: we help you realise a reliable and future-proof network infrastructure.
We also stock a selection of copper and fibre cables and support projects with measurements, certification, training and professional test equipment.
Want to know more about our cabling solutions, stock products and technical support?
More than network hardware alone
A reliable network is not created by simply connecting components together. That is why 4net supports organisations not only with the supply of network hardware, but also with the design, selection, implementation and support of complete OT and IT infrastructures.
Thanks to our expertise in both industrial networks and enterprise environments, we help organisations build high-performance, secure and future-oriented networks that are ready for further growth and digitalisation.
Availability without holding large stocks yourself
For many organisations, availability of standardised network components is essential without wanting to hold large stocks themselves. When production processes, enterprise networks or industrial environments depend on specific hardware, an interruption can quickly have consequences.
That is why 4net offers project stock on call: for recurring configurations and standardised projects, we reserve and hold hardware so you can respond quickly when expansion, replacement or maintenance is needed.
Benefits
- Fast availability of critical components
- Less own stock management
- Support for maintenance and expansion projects
- Extra assurance for production and business-critical environments
- Flexible arrangements tailored to your project
Note
We do not operate like a classic distributor with a broad catalogue in stock, but manage hardware on a project basis and by appointment for customers who consciously choose this approach.
Would you like to keep critical network components readily available without large own stocks?
Case studies
Aurubis
Support for industrial OT networks, cybersecurity and network expansions since 2017, including wireless networks for camera infrastructure, industrial switching and network monitoring.
Eastman
Network and security audits, asset inventory, network drawings and recommendations on segmentation and security. Also supply of all industrial network and cybersecurity network equipment.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Also supply of all industrial network and cybersecurity network equipment. Support for industrial networks and cybersecurity for production environments with more than 120 machines.
Curious how we can support your network?
Frequently asked questions
An industrial switch is designed for environments where reliability and continuity are crucial. Unlike standard office or enterprise switches,
industrial switches are resistant to dust, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference.
In addition, industrial switches often support redundancy protocols such as MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol),
allowing the network to recover within milliseconds in the event of a cable or network failure.
Industrial switches are typically used in production environments, utilities, logistics, infrastructure projects, and machine building.
industrial switches are resistant to dust, vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and electromagnetic interference.
In addition, industrial switches often support redundancy protocols such as MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol),
allowing the network to recover within milliseconds in the event of a cable or network failure.
Industrial switches are typically used in production environments, utilities, logistics, infrastructure projects, and machine building.
A redundant network architecture prevents a single faulty component from bringing down the entire network.
By implementing critical connections in a ring topology and using redundancy protocols, communication remains active when a cable, switch, or connection fails.
For production environments, logistics facilities, and critical infrastructures, this can mean the difference between a minor disruption and hours of production loss.
Network redundancy is today an essential part of a future-proof OT/IT architecture.
By implementing critical connections in a ring topology and using redundancy protocols, communication remains active when a cable, switch, or connection fails.
For production environments, logistics facilities, and critical infrastructures, this can mean the difference between a minor disruption and hours of production loss.
Network redundancy is today an essential part of a future-proof OT/IT architecture.
That depends on the chosen architecture and technology.
Modern industrial networks can recover from a cable break or network interruption within less than 50 milliseconds thanks to protocols such as MRP.
For users and applications, this often happens so quickly that the failure is barely noticeable.
In critical production environments, correct redundancy configuration is therefore at least as important as the choice of hardware itself.
Modern industrial networks can recover from a cable break or network interruption within less than 50 milliseconds thanks to protocols such as MRP.
For users and applications, this often happens so quickly that the failure is barely noticeable.
In critical production environments, correct redundancy configuration is therefore at least as important as the choice of hardware itself.
Yes.
OT/IT segmentation is today one of the most important measures for keeping industrial networks secure and manageable.
By logically and physically separating production environments from corporate networks, the risk of cyber incidents is reduced and the impact of any problems is limited to a defined zone.
4net supports organisations in designing network segmentation, firewall architectures, VLAN structures, and secure connections between OT and IT environments.
OT/IT segmentation is today one of the most important measures for keeping industrial networks secure and manageable.
By logically and physically separating production environments from corporate networks, the risk of cyber incidents is reduced and the impact of any problems is limited to a defined zone.
4net supports organisations in designing network segmentation, firewall architectures, VLAN structures, and secure connections between OT and IT environments.
Yes.
A network audit provides insight into the current state of your infrastructure and maps risks, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
During an audit, we analyse, among other things:
Network architecture
Availability and redundancy
Cybersecurity
Asset inventory
Switches, routers, and firewalls
Segmentation between OT and IT
Future expansion possibilities
Based on this, you receive concrete recommendations to improve the reliability, security, and performance of the network.
We have carried out such programmes in industrial environments such as Eastman, among others.
A network audit provides insight into the current state of your infrastructure and maps risks, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
During an audit, we analyse, among other things:
Network architecture
Availability and redundancy
Cybersecurity
Asset inventory
Switches, routers, and firewalls
Segmentation between OT and IT
Future expansion possibilities
Based on this, you receive concrete recommendations to improve the reliability, security, and performance of the network.
We have carried out such programmes in industrial environments such as Eastman, among others.
For active network hardware, we deliberately do not operate as a classic distributor.
Due to the wide variety of configurations, options, and software licences, network hardware is usually selected on a project basis.
For cabling infrastructure, we do keep a number of frequently requested products in stock, including:
Cat6A U/FTP
Cat6A S/FTP
Cat6A F/FTP
OM4 multimode fibre
OS2 singlemode fibre
For project hardware, we ensure fast delivery through our technology partners.
Due to the wide variety of configurations, options, and software licences, network hardware is usually selected on a project basis.
For cabling infrastructure, we do keep a number of frequently requested products in stock, including:
Cat6A U/FTP
Cat6A S/FTP
Cat6A F/FTP
OM4 multimode fibre
OS2 singlemode fibre
For project hardware, we ensure fast delivery through our technology partners.
For customers working with standardised network components, 4net can provide project stock.
Agreed products are reserved and kept available for a certain period in advance.
This offers extra certainty for maintenance, expansions, and replacements without organisations having to maintain large inventories themselves.
This approach is especially valued in industrial production environments where downtime is not an option.
Agreed products are reserved and kept available for a certain period in advance.
This offers extra certainty for maintenance, expansions, and replacements without organisations having to maintain large inventories themselves.
This approach is especially valued in industrial production environments where downtime is not an option.
Yes.
In addition to supplying network components, 4net can prepare and assemble complete network and security racks.
This includes:
Component selection
Mechanical assembly
Mounting of switches
Mounting of power supplies and accessories
Cabling and labelling
FAT testing (Factory Acceptance Testing)
This significantly reduces installation time on site and increases the quality and reliability of the installation.
A good example of this is the FLC tunnel project, for which 4net built and prepared complete networking and security racks for delivery to the job site.
In addition to supplying network components, 4net can prepare and assemble complete network and security racks.
This includes:
Component selection
Mechanical assembly
Mounting of switches
Mounting of power supplies and accessories
Cabling and labelling
FAT testing (Factory Acceptance Testing)
This significantly reduces installation time on site and increases the quality and reliability of the installation.
A good example of this is the FLC tunnel project, for which 4net built and prepared complete networking and security racks for delivery to the job site.
Yes.
That is exactly where 4net distinguishes itself.
Many vendors focus exclusively on industrial networks or exclusively on enterprise IT networks.
4net supports both worlds and helps organisations securely connect production environments, machines, sensors, and industrial installations with corporate networks, cloud platforms, and data applications.
This OT/IT convergence forms the foundation today for digitalisation, automation, monitoring, cybersecurity, and industrial innovation.
That is exactly where 4net distinguishes itself.
Many vendors focus exclusively on industrial networks or exclusively on enterprise IT networks.
4net supports both worlds and helps organisations securely connect production environments, machines, sensors, and industrial installations with corporate networks, cloud platforms, and data applications.
This OT/IT convergence forms the foundation today for digitalisation, automation, monitoring, cybersecurity, and industrial innovation.
OT (Operational Technology) encompasses the systems that control machines, production lines, and industrial processes. IT (Information Technology) encompasses traditional corporate networks, servers, applications, and user systems.
OT/IT convergence means that both worlds are increasingly connected to improve data exchange, automation, monitoring, and efficiency.
This offers significant benefits, but also requires a well-thought-out network architecture, cybersecurity measures, and segmentation to keep business and production processes secure and reliable.
OT/IT convergence means that both worlds are increasingly connected to improve data exchange, automation, monitoring, and efficiency.
This offers significant benefits, but also requires a well-thought-out network architecture, cybersecurity measures, and segmentation to keep business and production processes secure and reliable.
Both MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) and RSTP (Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol) are used to prevent network outages when a connection fails.
MRP was specifically developed for industrial Ethernet networks and offers very fast recovery times, often within a few tens of milliseconds. This keeps communication between machines and control systems virtually uninterrupted.
RSTP is more commonly used in traditional IT networks and also provides redundancy, but with longer recovery times than MRP.
For critical industrial applications where downtime is not an option, MRP is often preferred over RSTP.
MRP was specifically developed for industrial Ethernet networks and offers very fast recovery times, often within a few tens of milliseconds. This keeps communication between machines and control systems virtually uninterrupted.
RSTP is more commonly used in traditional IT networks and also provides redundancy, but with longer recovery times than MRP.
For critical industrial applications where downtime is not an option, MRP is often preferred over RSTP.
NIS2 is the European directive that requires organisations to better organise their network and information security. The regulation has a significant impact on sectors such as industry, energy, transport, logistics, water management, and other critical infrastructures.
For industrial networks, this means, among other things:
Greater focus on cybersecurity and risk management
Better visibility of OT assets and network components
Segmentation between IT and OT networks
Logging, monitoring, and incident detection
Secure external access for suppliers and maintenance partners
Procedures for incident reporting and recovery
A well-designed industrial network helps organisations meet NIS2 requirements while increasing the reliability and continuity of their operational processes.
For industrial networks, this means, among other things:
Greater focus on cybersecurity and risk management
Better visibility of OT assets and network components
Segmentation between IT and OT networks
Logging, monitoring, and incident detection
Secure external access for suppliers and maintenance partners
Procedures for incident reporting and recovery
A well-designed industrial network helps organisations meet NIS2 requirements while increasing the reliability and continuity of their operational processes.