A constant and uninterrupted network is one critical component ideal for industrial and business needs.
Networks and the Internet support core industrial functions such as operations, data sharing, security, and customer service. Therefore, an ethernet and network failure could easily trigger disruption, leading to time, capital, and revenue losses.
To avoid such outcomes, you should invest in the best networking equipment, such as an ethernet switch. It facilitates device security and connectivity, enabling data sharing and database access. Take your time and buy the perfect one that meets all your business and industrial needs.
Luckily, there are many options; however, not all will meet your needs. To select the best one, focus on these features and capabilities.
1. Reliable And High-Performance Capabilities
Whenever there is a network disruption within the industrial network, anticipate major challenges, especially those related to costs. Any delays and downtime can lead to customer loss, equipment damage, or slowed production. To avoid all the disruptions, buy a switch that supports all the critical ethernet links without any disruptions.
High-performance switches like Sonic Switch have these features to ensure high performance and constant network provisioning for device and industrial needs.
Disruption Prevention Features
Read the switch’s manual to ensure it has redundant ring technology and self-recovery capabilities. If it is missing any of these, you should prepare for issues like unreliability and low network strength. Additionally, the switch should support ERPS (Ethernet Ring Protection Switching) and Spanning Tree Protocol (802.1s MSTP).
Both are necessary to maintain the network and Ethernet link strength throughout the day, even during disruption.
During a disruption, devices that require customized and specific Ethernet link support tend to suffer first. As a result, they can remain unconnected or offline for longer durations due to simple disruption.
When buying a perfect industrial switch, ensure it can support the Command Line Interface and Open Network Install Environment. These features boost the switch’s capabilities to support specific devices with specific needs without disruptions.
Gigabit Ethernet Support
Buy switches with Gigabit Ethernet to support high-volume, high-speed, and long-distance network requirements. In addition to networking, the cables from the switch should also be the main power source for other connected devices. With such capabilities, you should reduce the amount of cable, ensuring tidiness.
Protocol Features
Protocol switches are perfect for redundancy and higher-performance functionality. Therefore, you need to switch to supporting media and tree redundancy protocols. If you need more uplink power, consider a switch that uses one or both protocols.
Another protocol feature is the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), mainly used for troubleshooting. In case of security or disruption, the protocol ensures that all your devices remain secure, and the network auto-fixes the error.
2. Compatibility With Multiple Devices
Before buying the network switch, you should determine all the devices that require internet connectivity. After that, you can select the one that can support multiple systems simultaneously.
It should support multiple devices without experiencing errors like downtime or network interruption. To do so, it must have an extended network radius to support all the devices. Finally, the network should be stronger to facilitate instant connectivity.
Rather than an extensive switch selection, consider those that comply with guidelines like IEEE 802.3af/at PoE standards. Such switches can easily support multiple devices over long rangers without network boosters.
3. Real-Time Data Transmission
The network should be stronger for all industrial components to run effectively, facilitating faster data access and sharing. This requirement is mainly dependent on the type of switch you have.
When selecting the switch, ensure it can meet all the requirements, even in bad weather, which can affect connectivity. Consequently, it should be located somewhere safe from environmental conditions to ensure it provides a constant network despite the disruption.
Another challenge it must overcome is the high networking traffic and overload within the company network. This occurs at peak times when more people connect to the network simultaneously. Even at such times, it should maintain critical aspects like speed.
To optimize these capabilities, ensure the switch has VLANs to group devices and network users to avoid latency. Such grouping will determine the speed of critical devices, ensuring that the most critical ones access high-speed networks.
Another feature to consider is IGMP snapping. This feature boosts speeds and performance even during higher traffic and overloads. It ensures the switch meets expectations and provides a better network user experience.
Such switches can be used in malls, where most people connect mobile phones and expect the best network connectivity and experience.
Use managed switches for high transmission and security support. They can easily use VLANs, network segmentation, and quality of service (QOS) to optimize network provision and security.
4. The Design Aspects
This ought to be one of the first considerations during the selection. The industrial environment can sometimes be harsh and prone to high, cold temperatures and other conditions. Since the switches are more exposed to these conditions, they should have an industrial design that ensures they can withstand all external conditions.
Pay attention to the casing and its protective features, including heat, humidity, water, and chemical resistance. If not, it should have a protective cover to protect all the core components, like ports, from dust and corrosion. The cover or casing should comply with the NMA standards or exceed the industrial IP ratings for industrial switches.
Conclusion
An industrial switch should meet all the basic requirements and perform more than expected. They should have key features to support high-speed ethernet, security, redundancy, and special needs.
Ensure they have the perfect design to withstand all environmental conditions while maintaining a higher functionality even during major disruption.
