Railway Edge Computing and Secure Ethernet Networks

Moxa is presenting a portfolio of railway computing, Ethernet networking, and cybersecurity technologies at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin from September 22 to 25. The solutions target onboard condition-based monitoring, CCTV analytics, passenger information systems, train-to-ground communication, and other data-intensive rail applications.

Edge computing for onboard railway applications
Railway operators are increasingly processing sensor and video data closer to where it is generated rather than transferring all data to centralized systems. This approach can support real-time applications such as passenger counting, obstacle detection, video surveillance analytics, and condition-based monitoring.

Moxa is introducing the V2000D Series of edge computers for these applications. The systems are designed to process operational data locally and support applications that require continuous access to onboard data.

The compact V2202D uses an Intel Atom Amston Lake processor and can accommodate up to eight cameras. It includes two externally accessible, lockable M.2 slots, providing local storage options for applications that require onboard data retention.

The V2406D is available with Intel Core 3 or Core 7 processors and supports up to 16 cameras. It provides four LAN ports and can be configured with optional power-loss protection. This combination is intended for applications such as CCTV analytics and condition-based monitoring, where multiple video streams can generate substantial amounts of data.

The V2426D, expected in the second quarter of 2027, is also based on Intel Core 3 or Core 7 processors. Its modular architecture supports multiple application configurations and AI accelerator cards. It can accommodate up to three M.2 drives in RAID 0, RAID 1, or RAID 5 configurations and provides four Power over Ethernet ports.

These configurations allow processing and storage functions to be placed directly within the train network. For railway operators, this can reduce dependence on continuous transmission of raw video and sensor data to remote systems while supporting applications that require local processing.

Cybersecurity for onboard and trackside networks
Railway networks increasingly connect operational systems, passenger services, cameras, onboard computers, and communications equipment. This expands the number of networked assets that need to be protected against unauthorized access and disruption.

Moxa is addressing this requirement through devices certified to IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2. The standard defines technical security requirements for industrial automation and control system components, including capabilities related to identification and authentication, system integrity, confidentiality, restricted data flow, and availability.

The company is also working with customers on products intended to address system-wide IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 3 requirements. At InnoTrans, the company plans to demonstrate cybersecurity scenarios involving train-to-ground communication, passenger information systems, and CCTV networks.

The approach is relevant to railway operators facing requirements associated with the European Union's NIS2 Directive and Cyber Resilience Act. Rather than treating cybersecurity as a separate IT function, security controls increasingly need to be incorporated into the communication infrastructure connecting railway equipment.

Train-to-ground and trackside communication
Train-to-ground communication forms the connection between vehicles, control centers, and railway infrastructure. Reliable communication is required for transferring operational information, passenger-service data, diagnostics, video, and other applications across moving trains and fixed infrastructure.

Moxa's railway networking portfolio combines wired and wireless communication technologies for onboard, train-to-ground, and trackside deployments.

One of the demonstrated functions is a band-pass filter for train-to-ground communication. The mechanism limits received radio signals to a defined frequency range, filtering signals outside that range. In railway environments with multiple radio sources, this type of filtering can help reduce interference affecting wireless communication.

The requirement becomes increasingly important as railway networks carry more data-intensive services. Passenger connectivity, CCTV, diagnostics, and other onboard applications can operate simultaneously, creating greater demand for reliable wireless and wired network infrastructure.

Lower power consumption in railway Ethernet networks
Railway operators and train manufacturers are also evaluating the energy consumption and physical footprint of networking equipment over long operating lifetimes.

Moxa is introducing the next generation of the TN-4500B Series Ethernet switches, expected in the second quarter of 2027. According to the company, the new generation is up to 26% smaller, 30% lighter, and requires 35% less power than the previous generation.

The switches are intended for high-speed onboard networks and applications including onboard Wi-Fi, video surveillance, passenger information systems, and edge computing.

The TN-4500B platform supports between eight and 28 Ethernet ports depending on configuration, with models providing up to eight Gigabit Ethernet ports and up to 24 PoE ports. The product family supports a 24 to 110 VDC power input range and an operating temperature range of -40°C to 70°C. Moxa states that the devices comply with the mandatory EN 50155 test requirements for rolling-stock applications.

The switches also provide IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 certification. Network redundancy functions include Turbo Ring and standard protocols such as RSTP, MSTP, STP, and MRP.

Railway standards and long-term deployment
Railway communication equipment operates under environmental, electromagnetic compatibility, safety, and reliability requirements that differ from conventional enterprise networking.

Moxa states that its railway devices are designed for long-term availability and comply with standards including IEC 61375, IEC 62443, EN 50155, and EN 50121-4. These standards address different aspects of railway electronics, communication networks, cybersecurity, and electromagnetic compatibility.

The combination of onboard computing and network infrastructure is becoming increasingly important as rail systems move toward distributed data processing. Edge computers can process camera and sensor information locally, while Ethernet and wireless networks connect those computing resources with other onboard systems, control centers, and trackside infrastructure.

InnoTrans 2026
Moxa will demonstrate these technologies at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin from September 22 to 25, in Hall 4.1, Booth 550. The demonstrations will cover AI-enabled onboard applications, cybersecurity for connected railway infrastructure, train-to-ground communication, trackside networking, and energy-efficient Ethernet infrastructure.

Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement

Railway Ethernet networking is a competitive technology area with established benchmarks including port density, Gigabit and multi-Gigabit bandwidth, PoE capacity, operating temperature, power input range, railway certification, redundancy protocols, and cybersecurity certification.

Comparable railway networking products are available from Siemens and Belden's Hirschmann brand. For example, Siemens' SCALANCE XP216EEC provides 12 M12 10/100 Mbps ports and four M12 Gigabit ports, while supporting EN 50155, EN 45545, and IEC 62443-4-2 requirements.

Belden's Hirschmann BXP family targets railway rolling-stock networks with configurations reaching 20 or 28 ports, PoE++ up to 120 W, and up to six 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The family also supports HSR and PRP redundancy and meets EN 50155, EN 50121, and EN 45545 requirements.

These specifications show that the railway networking market is not differentiated by certification alone. Port density, bandwidth, PoE capacity, redundancy architecture, environmental operating range, physical size, and cybersecurity certification provide more useful engineering criteria for comparing systems.

For the TN-4500B Series, the combination of up to 28 ports, up to eight Gigabit ports, up to 24 PoE ports, a 24 to 110 VDC input range, and -40°C to 70°C operating temperature places the platform within the established specification range for rugged railway Ethernet infrastructure.

Edited by Sucithra Mani, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.moxa-europe.com