This presentation explores the critical role of industrial Ethernet switches in high-capacity industrial networks. It highlights five key challenges that these switches will face in the future due to evolving technologies and demanding applications.

1. Industrial Ethernet
Switches:
Challenges &
Futureproofing
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2. • Industrial Ethernet switches are critical for data
transmission and communication in factories,
business networks, security systems, etc.
• They enable high-capacity, controlled data flow in
demanding industrial environments.
• However, with evolving technologies and growing
network needs, future challenges are emerging for
industrial Ethernet switches.
• VERSITRON manufactures a wide range of Industrial
Fiber Optic Switches that are available in the following
formats: Managed Industrial Switches, Unmanaged
Industrial Switches, Managed Industrial PoE/PoE+
Switches.
Introduction

3. 5 Key Challenges for
Industrial Ethernet
Switches
On-Field Industrial Environmental Conditions:
Increasing Use of Bandwidth Hungry
Devices
Network Redundancy and Immediate Recovery
Stringent Need for Security
Manageability of High-Capacity and Multilayer
Networking
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2
3
4
5

4. • Harsh environments (indoor/outdoor) can impact
switch performance.
• Challenges include:
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) from high-voltage
power
• Electrical surges and transients
• Electromagnetic interference (EMI)
• Shocks, vibrations damaging ports and
transmission lines
• Extreme temperatures causing performance errors
• Humidity, chemical exposure lead to switch failure
1. On-Field Industrial Environmental Conditions:

5. • Modern networks require high bandwidth for
data transmission.
• Current Fast Ethernet speeds may not
suffice in the future.
• Challenge: Matching switch bandwidth and
routing capacity to future demands.
2. Increasing Use of Bandwidth-Hungry Devices

6. • Modern networks require high bandwidth
for data transmission.
• Current Fast Ethernet speeds may not
suffice in the future.
• Challenge: Matching switch bandwidth
and routing capacity to future demands.
3. Network Redundancy and Immediate Recovery

7. • Industrial networks are vulnerable to cyber
threats and data breaches.
• Future challenge: Implementing advanced
security protocols to protect high-capacity
networks.
• VPNs with firewalls
• Access control lists (ACLs)
• Data encryption
• Port-based user access control
4. Stringent Need for Security

8. • Growing network complexity due to
increasing transmission needs.
• High-capacity networks use multi-layered
topologies (core, distribution, access).
• Challenge: Managing switch performance
in complex network designs with multiple
layers.
5. Manageability of High-Capacity & Multilayer Networking

9. Conclusion
• Understanding these challenges is
crucial for futureproofing industrial
Ethernet switches.
• Invest in high-quality switches
designed to handle the demanding
environments and evolving needs of
industrial automation.
• Consider features like fiber optic
connectivity, advanced security
protocols, and robust manageability
for complex networks.

10. Do you have any
questions?
Feel free to contact us on
www.versitron.com/pages/contact/

11. Thank you.
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