A Survey of Ethernet Redundancy Methods for Real-Time Ethernet Networks and its Possible Improvements

Industrial Ethernet switches, form the network backbone in automotive production, substation automation systems, intelligent transport systems, and other major industrial automation projects. In the operation of industrial switches, the recovery time of a switch is vital for its applicability. In the last few years, a large number of solutions have emerged among the switch manufacturers which have been accompanied by standardisation activities in IEC.This paper gives a brief introduction of the industrial requirements for network redundancy and discusses details of existing solutions with a special focus on the ring topology. A possible optimisation of existing Ethernet based industrial switches is also discussed.