Industrial Edge
Simplifying network performance at the edge Economical plug-and-play unmanaged switches provide key performance features typically found only in costly and complex managed switches. Designers have options to obtain the best networking price/ performance ratio by selecting unmanaged switches that incorporate key managed switch features. SOURCE: IDEC
CREATING HIGH PERFORMANCE AND SECURE Ethernet networks are top priorities for designers of any commercial or industrial systems using digital connectivity. Because Ethernet is so commonly deployed in many different settings, it can be tempting to select consumer-grade devices, even though far more capable hardware is available and warranted. Cost pressures often increase because professional-grade solutions like managed switches are relatively expensive, with much time required for complex configuration. But another option is available in the form of industrialized unmanaged Ethernet switches, which incorporate the key performance features of managed switches in an easyto-deploy form factor. This article identifies top features designers should look for, and it shows how the right unmanaged switches are easily employed in any Ethernet applications to deliver robust connectivity.
Digital need for speed
Many digital system applications have largely been standardized on Ethernet communications, due to the speed and bandwidth capabilities, not to mention the economies of scale based on such a massively deployed technology. Nearly all types of electronic devices are produced with a level of intelligence so they can be linked to each other and to supervisory control and monitoring systems. Industrial internet of things (IIoT) initiatives are underway with many end users in an effort to gather as much data as possible from all sources, in support of remote monitoring and control—further driving the need for high-speed Ethernet communications. This is true for diverse industries and applications—such as building automation, municipal traffic control, power utilities, water/wastewater treatment, processing industries—along with just about any type of manufacturing machinery or equipment. Supervisory devices may be dedicated controllers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), hardware human-machine interfaces (HMIs), or locally installed PCs. Field devices range from IIoT sensors to intelligent devices, like RFID readers or process analyzers. Basically, anywhere multiple Ethernet devices are to be connected, a switch is
40
As modern machines take advantage of increasing numbers of Ethernet-connected devices, it becomes important to use switching technologies optimized for best performance. needed. Typically, 4-port switches are the smallest available, but many users find that the increasing number of field devices and the need for a user connection port push them into higher port counts. Many of these users find an 8-port switch to be an excellent balance between size and capacity. Because so many commercial and industrial applications are largely mission-critical, any downtime due to network problems is unacceptable. The next step is to pick a model able to deliver the required performance and reliability, even in challenging physical locations.
Unmanaged versus managed
A basic unmanaged Ethernet switch is basically plug-and-play and typically requires no user configuration. Each port will auto-configure to match the connected device, and the switch will build MAC address tables to forward traffic with some level of intelligence. There
are almost no security provisions. Unmanaged switches are very economical, and often considered for small networks where changes will not be needed, and average performance is acceptable. Managed Ethernet switches are usually required if users want to increase communication speeds, minimize traffic and network loading, and improve network security. Each of these characteristics is desirable for many types of commercial and industrial installations, where equipment, devices, and digital services must reliably operate around the clock. U n f or tun a te ly , m a n a ge d sw i tc hes usually must be configured by personnel with significant IT training, and these configurations must be maintained among all the switches on the network. The task can be daunting for users who simply want high-quality connectivity. Therefore, managed switches originally carried larger port counts and were deployed mostly in data centers, but today there are options in many sizes. Both unmanaged and managed Ethernet switches are reliable devices, but even so standard consumer- or commercial-grade switches are not ideal for harsh or industrial environments, and many not be convenient to install in enclosures. Industrial-grade devices are preferred because they offer more flexible mounting and connection options, along with extended operating temperature ranges and electrical noise resistance, making them suitable for typical installation locations.
Essentials using unmanaged switch
As the need for high-performance and robust Ethernet connectivity is accelerating in many applications, users are taking another look at their options. A recent development is costeffective unmanaged switches incorporating the following most essential managed features, with no configuration required.
Quality of Service (QoS)
QoS is a method used by switches to prioritize specified network traffic, so the most critical packets are handled first. For industrial applications, there are greatly increasing numbers of Ethernet devices congesting plant networks, creating concerns about communication latency and data loss.
in d u s t r ial et h er ne t b o o k
06.2021
