Protecting the Critical Structure that Makes up the Industrial Network Maintain Robust, Integrated, and Secure Networks in Industrial Applications with the Micro Data Center WHITE PAPER
More Meaningful Connections Introduction The industrial network is the fundamental backbone for data collection and transmission to points of use. Industrial network applications range from the ability to trace quality of production lots, improve preventive maintenance schedules, manage and monitor processes, improve safety, and identify constraints to increase productivity.
More Meaningful Connections Micro Data Center Characteristics The Impact of Team Cooperation on Reducing Downtime In today’s business environment, there has been a movement to centralize responsibility of all computer networks under the IT department. This move has created clashes between IT and manufacturing due to differing needs and equipment deployed. A Micro Data Center helps to separate the networks and reduce conflicts points between both networks and enterprise teams that support them.
More Meaningful Connections The NEMA 12 rated MDC supports and protects industrial automation and control systems (IACS) within a manufacturing environment. The NEMA 12 design provides equipment inside the enclosure a degree of protection against the ingress of solid foreign objects and water. It is capable of being deployed directly on the plant floor and no longer must compete for space inside a control room or telecommunications closet.
More Meaningful Connections The remainder of this section describes in greater detail each of these points of consideration. Housing – Racks and Cabinets A rack or cabinet is typically used to house MDC elements in a centralized modular form factor. The main difference between a rack and a cabinet is one of protection: a cabinet offers greater security and environmental protection (i.e.
More Meaningful Connections Thermal loads in an industrial Micro Data Center application are quite low, typically less than 25% of that experienced in an enterprise data center environment. This reduced heat load, coupled with the extended operating capabilities of industrial-rated switches, greatly diminishes the need for active cooling solutions in many industrial applications.
More Meaningful Connections Multiple varieties of copper cabling media are available based on data speed and volume requirements. Typically Category 6 or 6A copper cabling is used for enterprise and manufacturing network connections. Fiber is typically used for distances greater than 330 ft / 100m, in environments where electrical noise is a concern, or for high volume transmission rates. There are two common types of fiber optic cabling, Multimode and Single Mode.
More Meaningful Connections Cable Management Proper cable management is essential for reliable connectivity and to speed troubleshooting, diagnostics, and moves, adds, and changes. Three areas in the MDC require cable management: input to the MDC, within the MDC, and output from the MDC. Input to the MDC Cables are routed to the MDC through a ladder rack, wire basket, or other secure overhead cable pathway.
More Meaningful Connections Visual Identification The use of clear visual identification practices throughout the infrastructure can aid rapid problem identification, facilitating quick troubleshooting and subsequent repair. This is accomplished through the use of cable labeling to identify connections and color coding to enhance wire management (connectivity, network security blockouts/ lock-ins, and patch cords).
More Meaningful Connections Conclusion A Micro Data Center is an effective solution to maintain robust, integrated, and secure networks. As networks continue to be deployed in industrial settings, there is an essential need to capture production lot data as well as transmitting machine instructions to equipment. It bridges the gap between the Corporate and Industrial networks while maintaining flexibility to quickly disconnect the network links in the event of a problem.
Since 1955, Panduit’s culture of curiosity and passion for problem solving have enabled more meaningful connections between companies’ business goals and their marketplace success. Panduit creates leading-edge physical, electrical, and network infrastructure solutions for enterprise-wide environments, from the data center to the telecom room, from the desktop to the plant floor.
