Software tools simplify data network configuration

29Jun

posted by: Alan Bollard, Westermo

For system integrators, completing projects on time and budget is obviously critical, but can often be hampered by limited in-house experience of designing, engineering and configuring resilient data communication networks.

Data communications are now omnipresent, used within most functions of everyday life and essential for industrial systems implemented across different applications and industries. However, within the context of implementing a new rail track monitoring system or power distribution network the importance of data communications can often be underestimated – along with the amount of time and cost required to configure a secure network. It’s not unusual for the number of man-hours required to implement a new communications network to far exceed what was originally budgeted and impact overall project profitability.

Most industries are adopting IP-based Ethernet networks to support their data communications requirements and the size and complexity of these networks are increasing. To meet the growing need to connect a more diverse range of equipment across wider geographical areas, networks are larger and may include a mix of wired and wireless technologies. Reliability, availability and cybersecurity are priorities, which have created greater network complexity with different topologies deployed, such as fast-recovering redundant rings, and a growing number of protocols, such as MRP, STP and RSTP, that help to provide greater functionality and enhance network security.

Read the full article in the July issue of PBSI