By moving Ethernet frames between the switch ports, a switch links the traffic carried by the individual network connections into a larger Ethernet network.Įthernet switches perform their linking function by bridging Ethernet frames between Ethernet segments. So coming up to speed quickly with Ethernet is becoming really important.Ethernet switches link Ethernet devices together by relaying Ethernet frames between the devices connected to the switches. (Click on the image above to watch the Ethernet Basics in Automation video or click here: Ethernet Basics)Įthernet is being used more and more to establish communications between all of our various automation devices.
ETHERNET PROTOCOL BASICS HOW TO
ETHERNET PROTOCOL BASICS SERIES
Virtually every brand of PLC, HMI, and SCADA hardware now includes models with built-in Ethernet ports and Ethernet protocol support. Ethernet is currently providing the speed and bandwidth that is needed for many modern-day applications. However, in the U.S., EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP are the most used Ethernet protocols and it is common for PLCs and other control devices to support one or both.Īs industrial automation devices advance and offer more data at faster rates, so too will the industrial networks they use to send/receive this data. With Ethernet networking, all of these protocols can reside on the same network at the same time. Many industrial Ethernet communication protocols exists including EtherNet/IP, Ethernet TCP/IP, Modbus TCP/IP and Profinet. Other topology options include fiber optic connections, which provide for better electrical isolation and longer distances, and industrial Ethernet switches which can improve the overall efficiency of the Ethernet network.Įthernet also has the ability to communicate using multiple protocols on the same network. These extremely high Gigabit speeds require special links but for the three commonly used speeds, twisted pair copper cables (Cat 5 cables or better) is currently the transmission link of choice.
Even faster speeds are possible, although not practical, with 100Gbps being the current maximum and 200Gbps and 400Gbps being a possibility in the near future. Standard Ethernet is able to transmit at 10Mbps (10BASE-T), Fast Ethernet can handle 100Mbps (100BASE-T) and Gigabit Ethernet’s transmission rate is 1000Mbps (1000BASE-T). However, as with any technology, Ethernet has advanced and will advance over time to compensate for these shortcomings and will further cement its position as a dominant network standard.įor now, Ethernet provides three main data transmission speeds. For one, it’s not deterministic which is bad for real-time process control and safety systems. Along with its many advantages, Ethernet also has a few disadvantages. Not only that, but Ethernet has also introduced automated systems to a whole new world of possibilities with connections to high-level IT systems, remote/mobile access, cloud computing, smart devices, etc. Its ease of use, speed, and versatility have allowed it to surpass the older, closed-off, proprietary means. Ethernet has become a prominent method of communication in industrial automation.