When Ethernet comes to the factory floor, selecting the right switch is an important part of ensuring the efficiency of your new network. This can be achieved through the use of unmanaged switches.
Unmanaged switches enable Ethernet devices on the factory floor to communicate with one another automatically using auto-negotiation to determine parameters. These switches are best suited for factories with limited networking resources whose focus is on ease of deployment. This is because the unmanaged switch is a plug-n-play device. OT engineers only have to plug the switch in for it to work. When selecting an unmanaged switch for your factory network, there are a few things you should consider.
Thinking Long Term
As factory network infrastructures grow, so too does the number of ports being used on a switch. Running out of available ports, referred to as low port density, is a common issue for OT engineers. When choosing your unmanaged switch, using an option with higher port density while staying within budget could save time and money down the line. Lastly, its important to understand that unmanaged switches should never be used for direct connection to a wide area network. The benefits are far outweighed by the possible security risk you could face if you do not have the proper safeguards in place to secure your network from unauthorized access. If performance and security are important concerns for you or your customers, consider using a smart or managed switch. If you are unsure of what type of switch you need based on your application, please contact us.
Data Prioritization
In manufacturing, machines are constantly sending and receiving large amounts of data on a network. As traffic increases, there is a potential risk of packet loss, jitter or network failure, which can be extremely costly. One way to assure your network operates at peak performance is to select an unmanaged switch that includes QoS (Quality of Service). Essentially, QoS is designed to assign priority to critical data on your network, such as control messages. To make it even easier, Moxa's unmanaged switches include a physical DIP switch that can enable QoS with a simple flip of the switch.
