In the field of industrial Internet of Things, industrial switches are the core components for connecting various types of equipment, and their performance and function selection directly affect the stability, reliability, and efficiency of the entire network. The following is a professional guide to the purchase of industrial switches for people who need networking applications, covering essential features and performance indicators.

1. Essential functions

Connectivity and communication capabilities

Industrial switches need to have strong connectivity capabilities, which can connect different types of network devices such as computers, servers, sensors, and monitoring equipment to achieve mutual communication and data transmission between devices.
Support multiple network protocols and communication standards, such as Ethernet and TCP/IP, to ensure smooth communication between different devices on the same network.

Network segmentation and isolation

By dividing virtual local area networks (VLANs), data conflicts and confusion can be avoided, and network security and performance can be improved.
VLAN function helps to group and isolate devices within the network based on functions, preventing malicious damage or misuse by humans.

Fault monitoring and management

Industrial switches should have fault monitoring capabilities, which can detect network faults and quickly take measures to resolve them to ensure normal network operation.
Supporting network management functions such as SNMP protocol, it is convenient for network administrators to monitor and control data traffic in the local area network, and to achieve network fault diagnosis and performance optimization.

Security management

Provide security management functions such as access control and packet filtering to ensure the secure transmission of network data.
Support 802.1x function, authorize and license devices that need to access the network, and distinguish between legitimate users and illegal users.

Redundancy and reliability

In an industrial environment, switches need to have high reliability and availability. Industrial-grade switches with redundant power supplies, dust-proof and water-resistant designs, and temperature adaptability are preferred.
The network management switch supports redundant configuration, ensuring that it can quickly switch to a backup device in the event of network failure, ensuring network continuity.

2. Performance Metrics

backplane bandwidth

The backplane bandwidth determines the maximum upper limit of bandwidth between each interface module and the switch engine, and is a reflection of the total data exchange capability of the switch.
The larger the backplane bandwidth, the stronger the data processing capability of the switch, but the design cost also increases accordingly.

Packet forwarding rate

Packet forwarding rate refers to the ability of a switch to forward data packets, which is closely related to backplane bandwidth and switching capacity.
High packet forwarding rate can ensure the rapid transmission of data in the network and meet the needs of high-load networks.

Number and type of ports

Select switches with sufficient ports and appropriate types such as Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet based on the number and type of devices.
Consider future expansion requirements and choose switches with good scalability, such as switches that support stacking or modular design.

Speed and performance

The speed and performance of the switch are crucial for the stable operation of the network.
Choose a switch with sufficient forwarding speed and processing power to meet the network load demands.

Real-time and delay

In industrial networks, systems have limited tolerance for response time and jitter.
When selecting a switch, it is necessary to pay attention to its port delay to ensure that the cumulative delay during the forwarding of data frames does not exceed the system's tolerance range.

Manufacturer reputation and support

Choose a switch from a well-known brand to ensure good reputation and reliable technical support.
When maintenance or upgrade is required, timely support can be obtained to ensure the stable operation of the network.
When purchasing industrial switches, it is necessary to consider their essential functions and performance indicators to ensure that the selected equipment can meet the actual application requirements and has sufficient reliability and stability. Through reasonable selection, an efficient, secure, and stable industrial IoT network can be constructed.