Specifications

Optimizing Performance
EIO0000000051 6/2010 81
Role of a Switch in an Ethernet Network
Overview
Schneider Electric recommends the use of managed switches—not unmanaged
switches or hubs—in process control networks. A managed switch provides more
functionality than an unmanaged switch, including the ability to:
z turn switch ports on or off
z configure port speed and duplex settings
z control and monitor message traffic within segments
z prioritize message traffic
Recommended Switch Features
When acquiring an Ethernet switch for your process control network, be sure the
switch includes the following features:
z Multiple speed (10/100/1000 Mbps)
z Full duplex
z QoS
z IGMP snooping
z RSTP
z VLAN support
z Port mirroring
z SNMP agent