An industrial Ethernet switch is a rugged and intelligent hub with several downstream ports that can divide a very large network into smaller networks. A switch improves traffic through management without affecting performance. It works as a filter by inspecting, verifying, and routing packets in an efficient manner.
Instead of rebroadcasting packets to all devices downstream like a typical hub, the Ethernet switch tidies up network traffic by directing an addressed packet only to the downstream port that connects to that address. An Ethernet switch has the memory and processing capability to learn and retain the address of all devices and their associated downstream ports. The switch can prioritize ports, and may have an extra port for user access to settings. Whereas an industrial gateway joins several networks together and manages the traffic between them, an industrial Ethernet switch is less complex but is also expected to operate continuously in harsh environments.
Ethernet Switch Block Diagram
This design is for reference only. The design, as well as the products suggested, has not been tested for compatibility or interoperability.
