Industrial Networking Basics and Ethernet Development for Industrial Applications

The basic characteristics of the four levels of industrial networking; informational, control, device, and safety are explained with general information, specific requirements, and application in the industrial setting given about each level. With the explanation of the safety network, an explanation of the SIL (Safety Integrity Level) required for industrial settings is presented. Then a comparison to standard (informational) Ethernet and the other levels is presented with information on why Ethernet is not adequate for these levels. In addition, developments in Ethernet to overcome these short comings and increase its viability on an industrial level are presented and reasons that Ethernet, while increasing its presence in the industrial environment, is still not the only type of network implemented.