This paper discusses using Ethernet for real-time communication in industrial embedded applications. It first reviews using switched Ethernet to eliminate collisions and enable real-time data transmission. It then examines different industrial Ethernet technologies like EtherCAT and how priority scheduling and other techniques can enhance real-time performance. Various simulation results are presented showing the impact of parameters like packet processing rate and non-real-time traffic on latency. Finally, it concludes that industrial Ethernet networks using intelligent switching can offer advantages over traditional networks while enabling Internet connectivity if techniques like traffic shaping and multicasting are used.