Siemens X-400 The Need for Industrial Ethernet Switches, Technical Options network topologies

Introduction to Industrial Ethernet Switches

The Need for Industrial Ethernet Switches

With over 80% of LANs based on Ethernet, this is the most commonly used tech- nology. The use of switches is particularly important: They allow extensive net- works with large numbers of nodes to be set up, increase the data throughput and simplify network expansion.

The modular SCALANCE X-400 Industrial Ethernet switches from SIMATIC NET are designed for use in high-performance networks that will also meet future re- quirements. Thanks to their modular design, the switches can be adapted to the task in hand in terms of number of ports and transmission medium. Support of Of- fice standards makes the smooth integration of automation networks in existing of- fice networks possible.

The devices are designed for use in switching cubicles and cabinets.

Technical Options (network topologies)

The modularity of SCALANCE X-400 switches simplifies the expansion of a net- work regardless of the network topology.

You can use a SCALANCE X-400 in the following network topologies:

●Ring with redundancy manager

●Star structure

●Line structure

The maximum cable length is 26 km for single mode fast Ethernet transmission and 10 km for single mode gigabit transmission. Mixed operation within the topol- ogy, for example between SCALANCE X414-3E and OSMs/ESMs is possible re- gardless of the structure being used (ring with redundancy manager, star, or line structure).

Using the SCALANCE X-400 as the redundancy manager in a ring with redun- dancy manager provides greater availability. If there is an interruption on the con- nection between these switches, the SCALANCE X-400 used as redundancy man- ager acts like a switch and in a very short time creates a line from the ring with re- dundant manager. As a result, a functional, end-to-end structure is restored.

12	Operating Instructions for SCALANCE X-400 Industrial Ethernet Switches
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