Hilscher CIFX50E-RE Communication Interface Card — 1251.100 | New Original

The Hilscher CIFX50E-RE (part number 1251.100) is a high-performance PC-based communication interface card from Hilscher's cifX series — the industry benchmark for multi-protocol Industrial Ethernet and fieldbus connectivity. Installed in a standard PCIe or PCI slot, it enables deterministic, real-time data exchange between an industrial PC or IPC host and automation networks including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, and PROFIBUS.

✅ 100% genuine Hilscher product. Brand new. Ready for immediate worldwide shipment.

The cifX Advantage — Why System Integrators Specify Hilscher

When connecting an industrial PC to a factory automation network, the communication card is the critical link between your software application and the production floor. The CIFX50E-RE delivers three things that matter most to integration engineers:

🔄 Multi-protocol flexibility — A single hardware platform that supports multiple Industrial Ethernet protocols via firmware selection, reducing the number of card SKUs you need to stock.

⏱️ Deterministic real-time performance — The onboard netX communication controller handles protocol processing independently of the host CPU, ensuring cycle times are met even under host system load.

🔌 Proven ecosystem — Supported by Hilscher's cifX Device Driver, netX Studio configuration tool, and extensive SDK — reducing integration effort from days to hours.

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Details
Manufacturer	Hilscher GmbH
Model	CIFX50E-RE
Part Number	1251.100
Product Type	PC Communication Interface Card (cifX series)
Host Interface	PCIe (PCI Express)
Network Protocol	PROFINET / EtherNet/IP / EtherCAT (firmware selectable)
Communication Type	Real-time Industrial Ethernet
Network Ports	RJ45 Ethernet port(s)
Onboard Processor	Hilscher netX communication controller
Driver Support	cifX Device Driver (Windows / Linux)
Configuration Tool	netX Studio / SYCON.net
Mounting	Standard PCIe slot in IPC / PC
Operating Temp	0°C ~ 55°C
Condition	New Original / Factory Sealed

💡 Protocol note: The CIFX50E-RE uses firmware-selectable protocols. The specific protocol active on the card depends on the firmware loaded. Confirm the required firmware version (PROFINET device/controller, EtherNet/IP adapter/scanner, etc.) matches your application before deployment.

How the CIFX50E-RE Fits into Your Automation Architecture

Host Industrial PC / IPC
 └── PCIe Slot
       └── CIFX50E-RE (1251.100)          ← This card
             ├── cifX Device Driver          ← Host OS driver layer
             ├── netX Communication CPU      ← Real-time protocol processing
             └── RJ45 Industrial Ethernet
                    ├── PROFINET Network        → PLCs, I/O, drives
                    ├── EtherNet/IP Network     → Rockwell, Omron devices
                    └── EtherCAT Network        → Servo drives, I/O modules

The onboard netX processor offloads all protocol stack execution from the host CPU — this is what makes the cifX series deterministic regardless of Windows or Linux host load conditions.

Hilscher cifX Series — Model Comparison

Model	Part No.	Host Interface	Protocol Support	Best For
CIFX50E-RE	1251.100	PCIe	PROFINET / EtherNet/IP / EtherCAT	⭐ Standard IPC integration
CIFX50-RE	1251.000	PCI (32-bit)	PROFINET / EtherNet/IP	Legacy PCI slot systems
CIFX90E-RE	1286.100	PCIe	PROFINET / EtherNet/IP / EtherCAT	Dual-port / higher performance
CIFX104	Various	PC/104	Multiple fieldbus / Ethernet	Embedded compact systems
netTAP 151	Various	Gateway	Protocol conversion gateway	Bridging fieldbus to Ethernet

Key decision factor: If your IPC has a PCIe slot (virtually all modern IPCs do), the CIFX50E-RE is the current standard choice. The older CIFX50-RE is for legacy systems with only PCI slots.

Supported Industrial Protocols

The CIFX50E-RE supports the following protocols via firmware selection:

PROFINET — Device and/or controller mode (IRT and RT)
EtherNet/IP — Adapter and scanner mode
EtherCAT — Master and slave configurations
PROFIBUS DP — Via appropriate variant (verify firmware)
Modbus TCP — Client and server mode

One card — multiple protocol options. Select and load the correct firmware for your target network during system commissioning.

Typical Applications

The CIFX50E-RE is specified by engineers building systems where an industrial PC must communicate natively on an automation network:

SCADA & MES integration — connecting PC-based supervisory systems directly to PROFINET or EtherNet/IP plant networks
Machine vision systems — integrating camera IPCs into production line control networks
Robotics controllers — connecting PC-based robot controllers to factory fieldbus
Test & measurement equipment — real-time data acquisition from EtherCAT-networked sensors
OEM machine builders — embedding Industrial Ethernet capability into custom automation PCs
Gateway applications — using the IPC as a protocol bridge between network segments

Shipping & Quality Guarantee

🔒 100% genuine Hilscher product — factory sealed
🔍 Pre-shipment inspection on every unit
📦 ESD-protected packaging for safe international transit
🌍 Worldwide express shipping available
⚡ In-stock orders dispatched within 1–2 business days

FAQ — Hilscher CIFX50E-RE Interface Card

Q1: Is the CIFX50E-RE a genuine Hilscher product? Yes. Every unit we supply is a 100% original Hilscher CIFX50E-RE (1251.100) — factory new and sealed. We do not supply counterfeit or refurbished communication cards. Genuine Hilscher cards include access to official firmware updates, driver support, and Hilscher's technical documentation.

Q2: What is the difference between CIFX50E-RE (1251.100) and CIFX50-RE (1251.000)? The key difference is the host interface: the CIFX50E-RE uses a PCIe (PCI Express) slot, while the older CIFX50-RE uses a legacy PCI (32-bit) slot. Both support similar Industrial Ethernet protocols, but the PCIe version offers higher bandwidth and is compatible with all modern IPCs. If your system has only legacy PCI slots, you need the CIFX50-RE instead.

Q3: Which Industrial Ethernet protocols does the CIFX50E-RE support? The CIFX50E-RE supports PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT via firmware selection. The specific active protocol depends on the firmware loaded onto the card's netX processor. Hilscher provides separate firmware packages for each protocol — you load the firmware that matches your target network during commissioning using netX Studio or SYCON.net.

Q4: What driver and software is required to use the CIFX50E-RE? You need the cifX Device Driver from Hilscher, available for Windows (XP through 11) and Linux. For configuration and firmware loading, Hilscher's netX Studio (formerly SYCON.net) is the standard tool. Both are available for download from Hilscher's official website with a registered account.

Q5: Can the CIFX50E-RE be used in both master/controller and slave/device roles? Yes — the CIFX50E-RE can operate in either role depending on the firmware loaded. For PROFINET, it can act as a controller (master) or device (slave). For EtherNet/IP, it can operate as a scanner (master) or adapter (slave). This dual-role capability makes it suitable for both HMI/SCADA host connections and OEM embedded controller applications.

Q6: Is the card compatible with real-time operating systems (RTOS)? The cifX Device Driver is officially supported on Windows and Linux. For hard real-time Linux environments (PREEMPT-RT kernel), Hilscher provides specific driver builds. For RTOS platforms beyond these, check Hilscher's developer portal for community and commercial driver options, or contact our team for guidance.

Q7: Do you offer bulk pricing or long-term supply for OEM customers? Yes. We supply Hilscher cifX cards to OEM machine builders and system integrators at competitive volume pricing. Contact us via WhatsApp or the Enquiry button with your expected annual quantities and application details for a tailored supply agreement.

Integrating an IPC into a PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, or EtherCAT network and need help confirming the CIFX50E-RE is the right card for your setup? Our technical team can assist with compatibility verification and firmware selection guidance.

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