Types and purchase suggestions of industrial switches

In the field of industrial Internet of Things, industrial switches are key network devices, and their stability and performance are crucial. Different types of industrial switches are suitable for different application scenarios, so they need to be considered comprehensively according to specific needs when selecting. The following is a detailed explanation of the types of industrial switches and suggestions for purchasing.

1、Types of Industrial Switches

① Classification based on network coverage:

WAN switch: used to connect WANs, enabling data exchange and transmission between different networks, with high-speed data forwarding and broadcast capabilities, suitable for large-scale network communication systems.
LAN switch: used for internal connection of LAN, connecting multiple devices to a LAN through physical ports and network cables to achieve efficient transmission and security of data packets. Common types include conventional switches, stacking switches, and modular switches.

② Based on the transmission medium and speed:

Ethernet switch: It implements packet forwarding and filtering, provides high-speed and stable data transmission functions, supports QoS quality of service, and ensures the stability and reliability of network transmission.
Fast Ethernet switches, Gigabit Ethernet switches, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches: They support different data transmission rates to meet different bandwidth requirements.
ATM switches, FDDI switches: other types of transmission media and protocols, suitable for specific application scenarios.

③ According to the application level:

Enterprise-class switch: high-performance network device, supports multiple protocols and functions, such as VLAN, multicast, load balancing and security policies, providing stable and reliable network connectivity.
Campus network switches, departmental switches, workgroup switches, and desktop switches: suitable for network environments of different sizes and levels.

④ Based on the structural division of the switch:

Fixed port switch: The number of ports is fixed and cannot be increased or decreased.
Modular switch: Provides flexible port configuration, allowing for the addition or replacement of modules as needed.

⑤ According to the protocol layer division of the switch:

Layer 2 switch: Forward data based on MAC address.
Layer 3 switch: In addition to the second layer function, it also supports routing based on IP address.
Layer 4 switch: Further supports traffic management and optimization based on transport layer protocols such as TCP/UDP.

⑥ Based on whether it supports network management functions:

Network management switch: supports device management and provides rich network monitoring and management functions.
Non-managed switch: no configuration and management required, suitable for simple network environments.

⑦ Other categories:

Guide rail, rack, embedded, etc., are classified according to installation methods and appearance, suitable for different installation environments and industries.

2、Purchase suggestions

① Consider the natural environment tolerance:

Industrial switches should be durable in harsh working environments, so attention should be paid to their wide temperature design, protection level such as IP30 or higher, anti-electromagnetic interference capability, salt spray resistance, and shock resistance.

② Select according to the application scenario:

Select the appropriate switch type based on factors such as network coverage, transmission speed and bandwidth requirements, and application levels. For example, large network communication systems may require the use of high-performance enterprise-class switches.

③ Consider the installation method and appearance:

Choose the appropriate switch appearance and installation method based on the actual installation environment, such as rail-mounted, rack-mounted, or desktop flat placement.

④ Pay attention to the ability to recover from failures:

Choose a switch with strong stability, and consider its fault recovery capability and after-sales service.

⑤ Comprehensive evaluation of cost-effectiveness:

On the premise of meeting performance requirements, consider factors such as price, brand, and after-sales service to choose a cost-effective product.
Choosing the right industrial switch requires a comprehensive consideration of multiple factors, including natural environment tolerance, application scenarios, installation methods and appearance, fault recovery capabilities, and cost-effectiveness. By in-depth understanding of different types of industrial switches and their characteristics, combined with actual needs, it can ensure the stability and efficiency of the network system.