SIEMENS
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Siemens D 35 · 2017
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Communication
Industrial Ethernet
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Overview
Ethernet is the basic Internet technology for worldwide network-
ing. The wide variety of options of Intranet and Internet, that have
long been available in the office environment, are now being
made available to factory automation with Industrial Ethernet.
Apart from the use of information technology, the deployment of
distributed automation systems is also on the increase. This
means the breakdown of complex control tasks into smaller,
manageable and drive-based control systems. This in turn is
boosting the demand for communication which necessitates an
extensive and powerful communication system.
Industrial Ethernet provides a powerful area and cell network for
the industrial field, compliant with the IEEE 802.3 (ETHERNET)
standard.
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Benefits
Ethernet enables a very fast data transfer (10/100 Mbit/s,
1/10 Gbit/s) and at the same time has full-duplex capability.
It therefore provides an ideal basis for communication tasks in
the industrial field. With a share of over 90 %, Ethernet is the
number one network worldwide and offers important features
which have essential advantages:
•
Fast commissioning thanks to extremely simple connection
method
•
High availability since existing networks can be extended
without any adverse effects
•
Almost unlimited communication performance because
scalable performance is available through switching
technology and high data rates when required
•
Networking of different application areas such as office and
production areas
•
Company-wide communication based on wide area network
(WAN) technology or the Internet
•
Protection of investment due to continuous and compatible
development
•
Wireless communication using industrial wireless LAN
In order to make Ethernet suitable for industrial applications,
considerable expansions with respect to functionality and
design are required:
•
Network components for use in harsh industrial environments
•
Fast assembly of the RJ45 connectors
•
Fail-safety through redundancy
•
Expanded diagnostics and message concept
•
Use of future-oriented network components (e.g. switches)
SIMATIC NET offers corresponding network components and
products.
© Siemens AG 2017