Ethernet is a data communication standard that has been widely adopted in the industrial sector for process control and automation. As the Ethernet standard became more popular, different flavors of Ethernet were developed to cater to different needs. One such type of Ethernet is Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch. A managed switch is a network switch that can be configured, monitored, and maintained remotely. They are often used in enterprise networks because they offer more features and flexibility than an unmanaged switch. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the features of a managed industrial Ethernet switch and how it can benefit your business.
Industrial Ethernet Switching Basics
As Ethernet has become the standard for local area networking, Ethernet switches have become ubiquitous. An Ethernet switch is a device that forwards data packets between computers on a network. Switches use hardware addresses to make forwarding decisions and can operate at either Layer 2 or Layer 3 of the OSI model.
Layer 2 industrial ethernet switches forward data based on MAC addresses, while Layer 3 switches forward data based on IP addresses. Most managed industrial Ethernet switches support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching. In addition, industrial Ethernet switches often support Quality of Service (QoS) features that allow them to prioritize mission-critical traffic.
Managed Industrial Ethernet Switches
Managed Ethernet switches are designed to give network administrators more control over their network traffic. These switches usually have a web-based interface that allows administrators to configure the switch settings and view statistics about the network traffic. Many managed Ethernet switches also support SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) so that they can be monitored and controlled by third-party network management software.
The Features of Managed Ethernet Switches
Managed Industrial Ethernet switches offer a variety of features that can be used to manage and monitor the network. They can be used to control traffic, set up quality of service (QoS), and manage VLANs. Additionally, managed Ethernet switches often include features such as port mirroring, which can be used for monitoring and troubleshooting the network.
How to Choose the Right Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch
There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the right managed Ethernet switch for your needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
-The number of ports you need: How many devices will you be connecting to the switch? Make sure to choose a switch with enough ports to accommodate all of your devices.
-The type of connection you need: Do you need Gigabit Ethernet or 10 Gigabit Ethernet?
-The features you need: Managed switches come with a variety of features, so make sure to choose a switch that has the features you need, such as VLAN support, Quality of Service (QoS), and port trunking.
Conclusion
In this article, we have gone over the features of a managed industrial Ethernet switch. We have looked at how these switches can help to improve the performance of your network and how they can provide you with more control over your network. If you are looking for a way to improve the performance of your network, then a managed industrial Ethernet switch might be the right solution for you.
