Industrial communications have changed greatly over the last several years, largely due to how quickly industrial Ethernet has been accepted and applied by manufacturers of all types. When industrial companies first began using Ethernet, the prevailing thought was to use single-purpose proprietary networks for real-time interlocking between machines and control systems and use Ethernet for transferring configuration and programming files, pushing data to and from human machine interfaces, or nightly summaries of production.
Technology advances and the advent of Industrial Ethernet has changed that. Standard, non-proprietary Ethernet is now used for real-time communication, control interlocking, and connection of literally all automation devices that aren’t connected directly to an I/O block.
As Ethernet’s use expanded, users added knowledge of star topologies and the need for hubs and switches to their existing knowledge of linear fieldbus topologies. In the process, they learned that the task of adding new devices to a network became easier. Merely plugging a cable into an available port and stringing it to some new device gave you virtually instant communications.
与具有较小带宽的现场栏不同，这理论上限制了可以连接到网络的设备的数量，industrial Ethernetprovides:
- 显着的性能优势;
- the ability to just run cable from point to point, providing a tremendous capability to add devices; and
- easy expandability with little or no planning required.
Ad Hoc Networks & Cabling Issues
This leap in flexibility, bandwidth, and performance that Ethernet brought to industrial networks created the concept known as an “ad-hoc” network. This style of a relatively flat and daisy chained network is terrific as long as everything is working.
The challenge comes when devices fail, cables start to deteriorate, or when someone adds a device that allows an external third party unauthorized access and data starts getting manipulated or mangled. Because an ad hoc network by definition and construction has little or no supporting documentation, once the network becomes unmanageable, production slows or services stop.
突然间，难以居住的网络成为噩梦和紧急帮助，需要恢复操作。
现在正在面对众多制造商的现实转化为工业以太网真正基础设施的需求。适当的基础架构允许可预测性能和成功的维护，同时允许对网络进行管理的增量修改。（有关ad hoc网络的更多信息并将其转换为可行的以太网基础架构，请参阅“这是你的标志”article.
超越基础设施问题，综合网络维护问题的审查表明，任何工业网络中最具挑战性的故障通常都涉及物理电缆。以太网设备通常易于查找，并且服务和连接器通常可以轻松访问，并且可以更少的难度替换。然而，将一个设备连接到另一个设备的电缆通常无法进入，因为它埋在电缆托盘中，缠绕在移动机器上，或者在空中悬挂四十英尺。
Despite the common issues associated with ad hoc network structures or cabling issues, Ethernet continues to be implemented at an unprecedented rate. And while Ethernet’s popularity is clear, users’ demands are becoming equally clear. Users want Ethernet networks to:
- Provide control and information from where it originates to wherever it needs to go—as fast, as deterministic, and as secure as needed for the application;
- Provide room to upgrade and expand in the same ad-hoc fashion as today, but with confidence that the additions won’t push the network over the edge;
- Offer a support system and expert help when needed, with pre-existing knowledge of the network so all forms of help are quick and easy;
- Make the network easy to manage so that users can do the work themselves when they want.
A Solution: The Belden Certified Industrial Network
要解决这些类型的网络问题，Belden提供了Belden Certified Industrial Network. This network is designed, installed, started up, tested, and documented by a qualified authorized provider. In addition, every network design and its installation test results are reviewed Belden’s engineers, with at least two sets of experts reviewing every application.
Proper Layer 1 devices (cables and connectors) are specified up front to allow for movement or other environmental factors, and proper Layer 2 devices (Ethernet switches and routers, wireless access points, security appliances) are designed in from the start to achieve the proper partitioning and functioning of the network.
Qualified installers route cables from end devices to switches, building a supportable infrastructure. Once installation is complete, physical testing ensures the network functions properly. All test results are reviewed by the installer, Belden and the customer. These results then become part of the permanent file of documentation.
使用Belden工具和最佳实践可确保网络功能如预期的，并且可保持和可扩展为需求变化。通常可以在没有积分商或削弱的情况下进行微小的变化，这意味着在发生时可以容易地纠正问题。
百通,一个合格的系统集成商to provide an extended warranty and an ongoing relationship with the customer to help as the network changes and expands over time. This all adds up to significantly increased peace of mind, allowing the customer to focus on what they do best.
For more information, go towww.belden.com/certified-industrial-networkor contact your local Belden distributor or sales representative.
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