Quick Verdict
If you are shopping for industrial networking fieldbus equipment and need to decide between these two, start with the job, not the price. The Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A is a rugged industrial Ethernet switch built to sit at the center of a network. The Burkert 00307390 / ME43 is an industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway built to connect fieldbus devices to an Ethernet network. They are different tools, and the right one depends on whether you need switching or bridging.
At a Glance
| Feature | Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A | Burkert ME43 |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Rugged industrial Ethernet switch | Industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway |
| Listed price | USD 3,400.00 | USD 249.99 |
| Price bar | ||
| Condition | Used | Used |
| Model | IE-3400-8P2S-A | 00307390 / ME43 |
| Brand | Cisco | Burkert |
Where Each Product Wins
Where the Cisco switch wins: The IE-3400-8P2S-A is the only true switch in this comparison. It carries the Rugged Series name and is intended for industrial Ethernet networking. The unit was professionally pulled from a working office environment and tested to be working, so it has a practical operating history.
Where the Burkert gateway wins: The ME43 is the only fieldbus gateway in this comparison. It is a working pull built for the specific job of connecting fieldbus equipment to industrial Ethernet. It also sits at the lower end of the price spread, which matters when you already have switching in place and only need the bridge.
Product Notes
Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A Rugged Series Industrial Ethernet Switch
The Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A belongs at the center of a network when your job is switching rather than gateway work. This is the model you build around when you want a central industrial Ethernet switch, and the Rugged Series name reinforces that role. The used unit was professionally pulled from a working office environment and tested to be working, so it is ready to fill that backbone position. The main limitation to plan for is that a power adapter is not included, so you will need to supply one. If your setup already has a fieldbus gateway and simply lacks a switch, this is the side of the comparison that addresses that need.
Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway Used
The Burkert ME43 is the pick when the job is connecting fieldbus equipment to industrial Ethernet and you already have a switch in the network. This used gateway is a working pull, and the model 00307390 / ME43 identifies it as a Burkert industrial Ethernet fieldbus gateway. It serves a narrower purpose than the Cisco switch, which is exactly why it fits a smaller budget. The limitation is that it is not a switch: it will not provide the multi-device switching role you get from the IE-3400-8P2S-A. If you need both roles, the gateway is not a replacement for a switch; if you only need the bridge, this is the purpose-built option.
Final Choice by Use Case
- When you need a rugged network switch: Choose the Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A Rugged Series Industrial Ethernet Switch.
- When you need a fieldbus gateway: Choose the Burkert 00307390 / ME43 Industrial Ethernet Fieldbus Gateway.
The real takeaway is to define the network task first. If the task is switching, the Cisco IE-3400-8P2S-A is the answer. If the task is bridging fieldbus onto Ethernet, the Burkert ME43 is the answer.
