Installation guide

Network Infrastructure for EtherNet/IP™
A-1
Appendix A Recommendations for Ethernet Switches in EtherNet/IP Systems
Appendix A Recommendations for Ethernet Switches
in EtherNet/IP Systems
In industrial applications, infrastructure devices are mounted in the same enclosures as the control
devices, as opposed to the dedicated switch cabinets used in the office world. Therefore, the infrastructure
devices used in an EtherNet/IP system must withstand the same environmental conditions as the control
devices and be compatible with their voltage and mounting conventions.
Personnel for System Start-Up and Maintenance
While a facility may have an Information Technology Department staffed to support hundreds of PCs, the
same facility can have over a thousand control devices with the potential for Ethernet connectivity. The
basic startup, maintenance diagnostics, and configuration of industrial infrastructure devices must be
supported by existing plant and control engineering staffs. Equally important, the infrastructure devices
need to be compatible with IT tools and network standards.
The recommendations presented here are consistent with these objectives:
• Consider the impact of system cost while providing switch functionality adequate for
successful initial I/O control applications and expansions.
• Use only industry standards (i.e., IEEE, IEC, TIA, etc.)—not company-owned
proprietary functions.
• Include common functions available from three or more industrial infrastructure vendors.
• Use the application-based system types described in 6 Infrastructure Application
Scenarios to accommodate EtherNet/IP applications that range from small initial
applications to large enterprise-integrated systems.
This appendix categorizes certain switch features as
REQUIRED, RECOMMENDED, or APPLICATION-
SPECIFIC
.
•
REQUIRED = functions that are the minimum required for typical performance in the
majority of installations of the application type described in 6 Infrastructure Application
Scenarios. When in doubt, use the next higher application section’s recommendations. In
addition to performance factors, the most likely required plant-floor installation and
maintenance functions are included. Each section’s requirements build on the previous
section’s requirements.
•
RECOMMENDED = functions that are not necessarily needed for all application scenarios
of this type, but typically improve or simplify maintenance or provide added performance
in certain situations.
•
APPLICATION SPECIFIC = functions that may be significant based on the specific
application, but not necessarily for the particular type of system architecture (scenario).
These functions typically cross several application categories. The more features a switch
has, the broader the application range, and potentially, the higher the cost.