Installation guide

Network Infrastructure for EtherNet/IP™
Designing the Infrastructure
4-34
4.2.3 Physical Network Design
Table 4-6 Physical Network Design
Activity Industrial Network with Passive
Infrastructure
EtherNet/IP
Select cable system components
and infrastructure devices.
This activity is equivalent to
selection of the network cable
system components.
This activity must be performed.
System integrators and IT Dept.
may help.
4.2.4 Design Verification
Design verification activities (Table 4-7) should be performed for both isolated and non-isolated
EtherNet/IP networks and should include testing, optimization, and documentation of the network design.
Table 4-7 Design Verification
Activity Industrial Network with Passive
Infrastructure
EtherNet/IP
Test network design. Normally performed, usually
consists of a test pilot design and
implementation.
Should be performed and may
consist of design and
implementation of a test pilot.
Optimize network design. Performed if necessary. Should be performed if necessary.
Document network design. Usually performed. Should be performed or will be
difficult to troubleshoot when key
personnel are no longer available.
A more detailed description of these activities is provided in the following chapters.
4.2.5 Summary of Key Points on EtherNet/IP Design
• EtherNet/IP networks use an active infrastructure; they need routers and switches.
• EtherNet/IP is used for control applications; subnets can handle real-time applications.
• Control traffic on EtherNet/IP is based on the producer-consumer model, resulting in IP
multicast of critical control data.
• There are two types of EtherNet/IP networks: isolated and non-isolated.
• For isolated networks, the network design process is similar to device-level networks.
Non-isolated networks require additional design considerations. Non-isolated networks
interface to enterprise and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and the Internet to provide