Industrial ethernet and industrial ethernet switches

[carl_townshend]

Hi Guys

When we talk about industrial ethernet, what is the difference between that and normal ethernet? also what would the difference be between a normal cat9k switch vs an industrial ethernet cisco switch with regards to the switching side not the physical aspects of it.

From my view both just switch normal ethernet frames and support modbus tcp, profinet, ethernet/IP as these run on top of normal ethernet, is this correct?

cheers

[Joseph W. Doherty]

You're correct, Ethernet L2 switching, logically, is the same.

As to logical features also supported "on top", those will likely vary especially if they need hardware to work well or at all.

For example, not all L3 switches support GRE, even though it's a rather, logically, a simple "on top" add-on.  Or, more related to L2 Ethernet might be whether Q-in-Q is supported.

A similar comparison/question might be with LAN Ethernet switches vs. Metro Ethernet switches.

[M02@rt37]

Hello @carl_townshend,

Industrial Ethernet is a specialized implementation of Ethernet technology that is designed and optimized for use in industrial automation and control systems. While the basic principles and protocols of industrial Ethernet are derived from traditional Ethernet used in commercial and enterprise networks, there are several key differences to meet the unique demands of industrial environments:

-- Robustness and Reliability: Industrial Ethernet equipment is built to withstand harsh industrial conditions, such as extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, and vibrations. These switches are ruggedized and designed to operate reliably in challenging environments where standard commercial switches may not be suitable.

--EMI/EMC Immunity: Industrial environments can be prone to electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility issues due to the presence of heavy machinery and electrical equipment. Industrial Ethernet equipment is designed to have enhanced EMI/EMC immunity to maintain network stability in such environments.

-- Environmental Considerations: Industrial Ethernet switches often have extended operating temperature ranges, allowing them to function in extreme cold or hot environments. They may also feature ingress protection ratings to protect against dust and water.

About the difference between a normal Cisco Cat9k switch and an industrial Ethernet Cisco switch on the switching side (ignoring the physical aspects), you are correct that both types of switches can handle normal Ethernet frames and support various industrial protocols like Modbus TCP, Profinet, and Ethernet/IP. Fundamentally, they are both Ethernet switches.

The main difference between them lies in the additional features and ruggedness that industrial Ethernet switches provide, as mentioned. Industrial switches are purpose-built for the challenging conditions and requirements of industrial environments, while commercial switches like the Cat9k series are designed for typical office or enterprise deployments. However, in terms of handling Ethernet frames and supporting industrial protocols, both types of switches can perform the necessary functions.