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Data Communication
Data communication equipment carries drilling data, DP and navigation signals, video, business traffic and crew internet around an offshore unit and out to shore. The sub-Category covers marine-approved Ethernet switches, serial-to-Ethernet converters, NMEA multiplexers, firewalls, fibre links, line-of-sight microwave and offshore LTE radios, and the racks and power supplies that carry them.
Networks on a modern drilling unit
A drilling unit runs several networks with different rules.
- The bridge network carries navigation data under IEC 61162. Part 1 is NMEA 0183 serial data, and part 450 carries the same sentences over Ethernet. Part 460 adds the security rules for connecting that network to anything else.
- The DP network runs redundant Ethernet between DP controllers, operator stations and field stations.
- Drilling control networks carry the driller's chairs, the drilling control system and the drilling data recorder.
- Safety networks carry fire and gas, PA/GA and CCTV.
- Business and crew networks run on separate segments behind firewalls.
Links to shore use VSAT, low earth orbit satellite, line-of-sight microwave to a nearby platform, offshore LTE where a coastal network exists, or fibre where the field has it.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Why it matters | Typical classes or units |
|---|---|---|
| Ports and media | Fit to the existing cabling | Copper, single-mode or multimode fibre, serial |
| Redundancy protocol | Recovery from a cable break | RSTP, ring protocols, PRP |
| Supply | Fit to your distribution | 24 V DC with redundant inputs |
| Marine approval | Use on safety-relevant networks | Class type approval |
| Support status | Firmware and security patches | OEM end-of-support date |
Standards and what a used device must meet
Switches and converters on bridge, DP and safety networks need class type approval, usually tested to IACS UR E10 or the class environmental specification, such as DNV-CG-0339. IEC 60945 applies where the device is part of navigation equipment. IACS unified requirements E26 and E27 apply to ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2024. E26 asks for cyber resilience across the ship, including an asset inventory and network segregation. E27 asks the supplier to document security capabilities for each system, drawing on IEC 62443. A used device going into an E26 ship needs that supplier documentation, which old or unsupported equipment often lacks. Anything mounted in a hazardous area needs IEC 60079 certification, and microwave and LTE radios need a licence from the coastal state.
Failure modes and inspection
- Firmware reaches end of support and stops getting security fixes.
- Power supplies and fans in rack equipment fail.
- Fibre optics and SFP modules lose output, and dirty connectors add loss.
- Serial interfaces and NMEA multiplexers corrode at terminal blocks.
Check firmware against the OEM's support list, read port error counters and optical power levels, and inspect fibre end faces. Reset used devices to factory defaults before connecting them, then load your own configuration and new credentials.
Documentation
- Class type-approval certificate for the model.
- Firmware version and OEM end-of-support date.
- E27 security documentation, where the device goes into an E26 ship.
- Network topology drawings and configuration backups from the source unit.
- Licences for feature keys, which often stay with the previous owner.
Integration with your unit
Match the redundancy protocol to the rest of the ring, since mixed vendors often fall back to slower standard protocols. Plan VLANs and addressing so bridge, DP, drilling and business traffic stay segregated. Legacy NMEA serial devices need converters or multiplexers that keep sentence timing. Check supply voltage and redundant feeds against your distribution.
Refurbishment, used or surplus
A used switch of the model already listed in your class documents is the fastest repair, since no new approval is needed. Unused surplus marine-approved switches are worth buying for DP and bridge networks. For firewalls and anything facing the internet, choose a supported model, because a security device without patches undoes its own purpose.
Related equipment
The shore link comes through satellite communication (VSAT), and the network carries IP-based intercom and PA systems. Naventr can pass the Seller your questions on firmware and type approval.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do network switches on an offshore unit need type approval?
Switches that carry data for bridge, DP or safety systems need class type approval, and the system design is approved with them. Switches on office and crew networks usually do not. Check the model against your class documents before you fit a used switch.
What is IEC 61162-450?
IEC 61162-450 is the standard for sending navigation data over Ethernet. It carries the same sentences as serial IEC 61162-1, or NMEA 0183, but lets many devices share one network at higher capacity. IEC 61162-460 adds the security rules for connecting it to other networks.
Is used network equipment a cyber risk on a rig?
It can be, if the firmware is out of support or the device keeps the old owner's settings. Reset it to factory defaults, update the firmware, set new credentials and confirm the model still gets OEM security patches before connecting it to an operational network.
Do IACS E26 and E27 apply to used equipment?
E26 and E27 apply to ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2024, whether the equipment fitted is new or used. Equipment in scope must come with E27 security documentation from its supplier, which many older devices lack. Other units can use the requirements as guidance, and class confirms whether your unit type is in scope.
Can I mix switch brands in a redundant ring?
Yes, but mixed brands usually fall back to a standard protocol such as RSTP, which recovers more slowly than proprietary ring protocols. Check the recovery time your DP or control system needs before mixing brands in its ring.
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