The increasing networking of machines, control systems and IT systems in plants is leading to ever more complex networks at production level. In addition, digitalization means that more and more participants need to be connected to the network, which often leads to large network structures in industry. Efficient switches are required to operate these OT networks. Ethernet switches ensure the necessary transmission of data, voice, video and Profinet thanks to high bandwidths. Applications with redundant communication and real-time communication are also often crucial in order to guarantee safety requirements for the protection of people and machines, for example.

Managed Layer 2 switches from the Scalance X-300 Industrial Ethernet switch product family are available both as compact models and as 19-inch variants. They are usually installed in the control cabinet and support demanding requirements for high port density or high transmission rates in OT networks. Models with different input voltages are also available, and these can span Ethernet networks via both copper and optical ports. The rack switches are available with single and redundant 230 V AC/DC power supply units for high-availability network structures. There are also variants with different numbers and types of ports or conformal coating for use in harsh environmental conditions. Thanks to the extensive approvals, worldwide use is possible without any problems. As there is no active fan cooling, the Scalance X-300 switches are particularly fail-safe and therefore also have low power consumption. This fanless operation results in low energy consumption of the devices and therefore contributes to reduced operating costs of the data network.

Cloud and edge applications in the network

Nowadays, the boundaries between software and hardware in industrial systems are becoming blurred. As a result, more and more software applications (such as anomaly detection, remote access or data analysis for preventive maintenance) are being integrated into the network. This creates new challenges in order to make this data available to the applications in the best possible way. The so-called function extender interface, which is visible on the side of the switches in a compact design, ensures very convenient and simple installation without the need for installation and cabling. The local processing platform Scalance LPE (Local Processing Engine) can be easily connected to the compact Ethernet switch Scalance XCM-300 via this interface. This integration ensures the power supply. However, it is much more important to ensure the network connection via the internal, high-performance Ethernet interfaces. These can be used to provide telegram information, so-called mirrored traffic, or access to participants in the network. Several applications for cloud or edge computing, predictive maintenance or anomaly detection can thus be implemented. The Scalance LPE with a powerful CPU enables the collection, pre-processing and forwarding of data.

Hardware platform for TSN and bumpless redundancy

With the familiar functionalities from the familiar portfolio of Scalance network components, a wide variety of applications are possible. Flexible Layer 2 network structures can be set up as a star or ring with up to 10 Gbit/s. In future, the set-up of the Scalance X-300 product line will be successively expanded to include further innovations such as Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), additional edge functions or bumpless redundancy. The special feature is that the hardware remains the same, only the operating system inside the switches can be changed depending on the desired application. Depending on the requirements, the appropriate switch can be selected from the rack and compact designs of the Scalance X-300 product family. With this strategy for migrating operating systems, the switches offer more flexibility for the future and safeguard the investment budget. This is made possible by the use of equivalent hardware for all introduced compact or 19-inch variants of the Scalance X-300 switch family from 2022. This means that no devices need to be replaced when switching to a different operating system. With this flexible and industrial-grade Scalance X-300 platform, today's systems can be set up to easily meet tomorrow's requirements such as TSN or 5G fronthaul/backhaul infrastructure. Future-proofing and sustainability therefore go hand in hand.

Requirements for ever higher data rates

A strong driver for higher data rates in industrial communication are, for example, camera applications, large software updates in production or emerging virtualization solutions.

IP cameras are increasingly being used in production to monitor and optimize processes and for quality assurance. This also includes very data-intensive applications with cameras that measure production elements in 3D. In industry-related applications, high-resolution cameras are used, for example, for the precise control of cranes and in tunnel applications for live monitoring. More and more products that supply data, such as high-performance, high-resolution cameras, are being used in many areas of production. As a result, increasing data rates are unavoidable, which means that the requirements for ever higher gigabit bandwidths in the production network will increase. As communication participants, IP cameras generate significantly higher data volumes compared to sources of pure automation and control data. A powerful and flexible network infrastructure is therefore required, in which the switches must have gigabit ports or even 10 gigabit ports. This ensures that data can be forwarded quickly and efficiently. In order to cope with increasingly complex networks, more functionality and extensive diagnostics are required in addition to the data rate. The Scalance XC and Scalance XCM-300 and Scalance XR and Scalance XRM-300 offer this as managed Industrial Ethernet Layer 2 switches. For example, they have virtual LANs (VLAN) for the structured subdivision of large networks into smaller, logical sub-networks.

Current challenges with a view to the future

As innovation cycles become ever shorter, it is important not to lose sight of the current challenges. This is shown by examples of the expectations of some users, such as

• Simple replacement of the devices while retaining the configurations,
• fulfillment of industrial temperature requirements with more power for new functions and
• integration into existing networks.

The new Scalance X-300 series combines both. Existing requirements are met and continuously optimized, while new possibilities are created for users. These include, for example, better integration of edge and cloud applications into the network or new high-performance network functions. TSN and the connection and integration of 5G infrastructures are currently the latest trends.

René Bernhard, Michael Kasper, Scalance X Product Owner, Siemens

Hanover Fair, Hall 9, Stand D53