Benefits and advantages of Ethernet switches
22.11.2024
As the worlds of machinery and system connectivity grow closer together, Ethernet-based solutions are becoming more and more important. lndustrial Ethernet has grown faster than traditional fieldbus solutions, and the shift from Profibus to Profinet has contributed to a remarkable increase in the number of Ethernet components used in machinery and systems today.
Ethernet switches are integral to a cost-effective industrial Ethernet communications solution. So, there is a lot to consider when choosing your industrial Ethernet switches: your production environment, their position in your network infrastructure, and should they be managed or unmanaged? Which cables and connectors? With a wide range of Ethernet switches available and new innovations in the pipeline, Murrelektronik gives insight into choosing the right switch, and the benefits of the different types available.
Managed or unmanaged? What is the right switch for my application?
Unmanaged switches, such as Xelity, Xenterra or TREE, are typically the most cost-effective way of connecting Ethernet devices in small and/or local networks. These switches basically make sure that Ethernet data flows without collisions. As intermediaries, they add additional ports to the network and do not provide intelligent functions, nor can they control network traffic. In industrial environments, unmanaged switches are often used in small networks.
Managed switches offer extensive possibilities in port and device configuration. They assume important functions for error analysis, network diagnosis, and redundancy mechanisms. These switches optimize data transmission but increase the configuration effort and thus the overall costs. However, their use in a network offers advantages that provide more control, including when remote access is required. Managed switches allow packet prioritization, making sure that time-sensitive data gets higher priority in the network. Last but not least, they can be controlled/monitored by the PLC through a Profinet connection.
Xelity IP20 Managed Switches give the network the option of setting up different topologies, like Star or Tree. In addition, the switches can perform other tasks, including error analysis or network diagnostics. They optimize data transmission and provide network control through remote access. Image: Murrelektronik GmbH
What are the benefits of Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches?
PoE switches, such as Murrelektronik's Tree PoE, are a great way of reducing cabling in an installation, with power and data in one cable. PoE switches eliminate the need for two cables - one for communication and one for power per Ethernet device. Thanks to their step-up converter, Tree PoE switches can power up scanners, IP phones, 48VDC cameras, and many other PoE devices with a 12/24VDC power supply. Tree's PoE booster accommodates up to 120W (30W per port) of load on one single switch. Another advantage is that the Tree PoE switches use standard 8-pole RJ45 cables.
Tree PoE Switches reduce wiring and use standard 8-pole RJ45 cables. Image: Murrelektronik GmbH
What do I need to take into consideration when planning a network?
The challenges faced by electrical design teams can't be underestimated. There are many variables to be considered during a machine's concept phase. Factors like the number of Ethernet devices, network load, response time, and infrastructure are just a few things to take into consideration. Murrelektronik switches (Xelity, Xenterra and Tree; unmanaged and managed, IP20- or IP67-rated) can be combined to provide a powerful and affordable solution that eliminates bottlenecks and increases the performance of any Ethernet-based application.
In robust plastic housing, narrow design and DIN rail mounting, Xelity IP20 Unmanaged Gigabit switches are quick and easy to insta/1, with no programming required. Image: Murrelektronik GmbH
How can switches help simplify wiring and reduce assembly time?
Switches are a requirement in adding flexibility to Ethernet-based systems, but no-one said that they necessarily need to be mounted inside enclosures. IP67-rated switches, like Murrelektronik's Tree67, are a great option to save space inside enclosures, reduce costs with wiring, and improve commissioning and troubleshooting time. These switches, which can be mounted up to 100m away from the main cabinet, help to optimize cable routing, without compromising network flexibility. Combined with a vast range of Murrelektronik's D-coded or X-coded industrial Ethernet cables, IP67 switches are the perfect solution to make any Ethernet network plug and play.
Tree67: The new model with IP67 protection is equipped with four or eight M12 ports (O-coded). Image: Murrelektronik GmbH