Dual homing technology in Ethernet switches

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Aug 2, 2007

Ethernet Direct, a professional and primary provider of Industrial Networking and communication solutions, unveils Dual Homing technology in the Ethernet Direct Industrial Ethernet Switches

To provide the right Industrial Ethernet Solutions to the industry, Ethernet Direct offers a broad range of Industrial Managed Ethernet products designed specifically with multi-levels of redundancy to ensure a reliable and secured industrial network.

There are several redundancy mechanisms in existence, Ethernet Direct offers X-Ring on Industrial Managed Ethernet switches.

As network expands by connecting many devices together, Ethernet redundancy becomes more critical to ensure non-stop connection.

X-Ring proprietary protocol incorporates both Coupling Ring and Dual Homing.

When there is more than one X-Ring group set up in a network, Dual Homing feature can ensure two X-Ring groups with redundant back up when connected to a backbone switch and can be enabled in the switches to allow for standby links to the upper level switch.

Dual homing provides an advanced redundancy network solution by connecting switches running in different redundant protocols such as IEEE 802.1w Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol and X-Ring to extend the network redundant coverage.

Dual-Homing feature can ensure two X-Ring groups with redundant back-up when connected to a backbone switch.

Hence, Ethernet Direct Industrial Managed Switches can set Back-up Masters in X-Ring to ensure the most secure network.

Redundancy is achieved by connecting two ports from two separate switches using X-ring Ring protocol with two ports of managed switches using other redundancy protocol.

An active link where data is transmitted is connected with one port in the switch.

The other port connected with another switch is a hot standby link.

Constantly monitoring the hot standby link and will switch over in seconds once the active link is disconnected or breaks.

This approach can open up LAN design options and expand device choices.

For example, it can permit any industrial SCADA devices to be part of a resilient network.