Five major features of industrial switches

Industry 4.0 is a new trend in the current global industrial development. Its core lies in achieving the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry through highly digitalized, networked and intelligent technological means. In this process, industrial switches, as key equipment in industrial networks, play a crucial role. Industrial switches in the era of Industry 4.0 have many unique features compared with traditional switches. These features enable them to better adapt to the demands of Industry 4.0 and promote the intelligent development of the manufacturing industry.

High reliability

The production environment of Industry 4.0 is complex and changeable, and equipment needs to operate stably for a long time. Therefore, high reliability is the primary feature of industrial switches. Industrial switches typically employ a variety of redundancy technologies, such as ring network redundancy, link redundancy, device redundancy, and power redundancy, etc. These redundant designs can quickly and automatically switch to the backup link or device when a network or device fails, ensuring the continuity and stability of the network. For instance, in the construction of smart grids, the high-reliability design of industrial switches can effectively ensure the stable operation of the power system.

Strong environmental adaptability

The industrial site environment is harsh, with various unfavorable factors such as high temperature, low temperature, high humidity and strong electromagnetic interference. Industrial switches have good environmental adaptability and can work stably in such environments. Its design usually includes a wide operating temperature range (such as -40℃ to 75℃), anti-electromagnetic interference ability, dust-proof, moisture-proof and other characteristics. These features enable industrial switches to operate reliably in various industrial environments, such as steel mills, food processing workshops, coal mines, etc.

Support multiple industrial protocols

In the production process of Industry 4.0, a variety of devices and systems are involved, and efficient data communication among them is required. Industrial switches support multiple industrial protocols, such as Modbus, PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, etc. This multi-protocol support capability enables industrial switches to seamlessly connect various industrial devices, achieving efficient data transmission and interaction. For instance, in the context of intelligent manufacturing, industrial switches can support key applications such as machine vision and motion control in automated production lines.

High security

In the era of Industry 4.0, cyber security is of vital importance, as the data transmitted in industrial networks often involves crucial information such as production control and business secrets. Industrial switches feature a variety of security characteristics, such as Access Control Lists (ACLs), VLAN isolation, 802.1X authentication, data encryption, etc. These security measures can effectively prevent unauthorized access and data leakage, ensuring the security of industrial networks. For instance, through VLAN isolation, devices from different departments or with different functions can be assigned to different virtual local area networks, thereby limiting the transmission range of data and enhancing the security of the network.

Easy to manage and monitor

Industrial switches offer a wealth of network management functions and support protocols such as SNMP and RMON, facilitating real-time monitoring and remote management. Through these functions, network administrators can conveniently configure, monitor and maintain switches, and promptly identify and solve problems. For instance, the IXM automatic deployment function of Advantech's managed switches can quickly complete the initial configuration of the switches, significantly reducing the deployment time. In addition, some industrial switches also have a fault alarm function, which can promptly notify the administrator when the equipment malfunctions, facilitating a rapid response and handling.

Summary

Industrial switches in the era of Industry 4.0 feature five major characteristics: high reliability, strong environmental adaptability, support for multiple industrial protocols, high security, and ease of management and monitoring. These characteristics enable it to meet the high requirements of Industry 4.0 for network infrastructure and provide strong support for the intelligent development of the manufacturing industry. With the continuous advancement of Industry 4.0, the technology of industrial switches will also keep innovating and developing to better meet the demands of future industrial production.