Industrial Ethernet Certification. New technologies are new opportunities. Industrial Ethernet is a specialised branch of the Ethernet tree, and one which requires knowledge across disciplines which were previously unrelated. For the small number of people with that unique combination of industrial and Ethernet experience, the rewards are high. But how do you prove your competence? The answer is no different to that in any other other branch of the IT industry. Certification.

Industrial Ethernet Certification not only proves your Ethernet skills, but demonstrates a breadth of knowledge which encompasses fieldbus technologies, Producer/Consumer protocols, industrial management, industrial network components and end devices, process control fundamentals, factory automation techniques, and the stringent demands of mission-critical industrial networks.

But Industrial Ethernet Certification means more than just demonstrating your competence to your present or future employers. A company which employs certified engineers can rest assured that its network is in the hands of a certified industry professional. A reseller or distributor can inspire the confidence of its customers by highlighting the proven competence of its support engineers and designers.

Hirschmann Electronics was a pioneer in the field of industrial Ethernet. It has now opened its Industrial Ethernet Certification Scheme to everyone. Unlike other certifications, this scheme is based purely on technology, with no product knowledge required. There are three levels of competence: Specialist, Professional, and Engineer.

The Specialist level confirms basic skills in the application and support of Ethernet, SNMP, RMON, OPC and SCADA. A Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet Specialist (HiES) is capable of supervising small to medium-sized industrial Ethernet networks, detecting, localising and remedying faults quickly and efficiently.

For large, mission-critical industrial Ethernet networks, in-depth expert knowledge is required. The Hirschmann Industrial Technology Professional (HiTP) possesses all these qualifications, as well as having a command ofTCP/IP, fieldbus transport over Ethernet, voice/video over Ethernet and IP, network security, communication control, and advanced industrial management and control techniques.

A Hirschmann Industrial Design Professional (HiDP) is capable of designing and successfully developing high-availability deterministic networks. A HiDP is able to assess and recommend standards-based industrial network solutions, is able to implement real time, security and fieldbus requirements, and is familiar with the demands of linking industrial Ethernet networks to office environments.

The Hirschmann Industrial Ethernet Engineer (HiEE) is the highest certification level. It links the comprehensive expertise of the Design Professional (HiDP) and the Technology Professional (HiTP): from design and implementation, through commissioning, to the continuous supervision of complex high-availability industrial Ethernet networks.

Exams are taken online via the Internet, rather than at a test centre, giving you the flexibility to sit the exam wherever and whenever you choose. The exam system is hosted by Prometric, the industry leader in IT certification exam providers.

More information about the Industrial Ethernet Certification Scheme can be found at www.HiComCenter.com