Switching on to network integration

摘要

The author, of Harting, looks at the differences in IT and industrial networks and explains the importance of industrial Ethernet switches. The emergence of Ethernet as a standard for both office IT systems and industrial automation networks has aided the trend towards network convergence. In particular, it offers the possibility of a 'universal' network to provide a bridge between management IT systems and the factory floor: something that is becoming essential as management systems such as MES and ERP have to link with monitoring and control systems in the production environment.