Siemens SCALANCE X-400 Operating Instructions Manual page 12

Introduction to Industrial Ethernet Switches
The Need for Industrial Ethernet Switches
With over 80% of LANs based on Ethernet, this is the most commonly used tech-
nology. The use of switches is particularly important: They allow extensive net-
works with large numbers of nodes to be set up, increase the data throughput and
simplify network expansion.
The modular SCALANCE X-400 Industrial Ethernet switches from SIMATIC NET
are designed for use in high-performance networks that will also meet future re-
quirements. Thanks to their modular design, the switches can be adapted to the
task in hand in terms of number of ports and transmission medium. Support of Of-
fice standards makes the smooth integration of automation networks in existing of-
fice networks possible.
The devices are designed for use in switching cubicles and cabinets.
Technical Options (network topologies)
The modularity of SCALANCE X-400 switches simplifies the expansion of a net-
work regardless of the network topology.
You can use a SCALANCE X-400 in the following network topologies:
● Ring with redundancy manager
● Star structure
● Line structure
The maximum cable length is 26 km for single mode fast Ethernet transmission
and 10 km for single mode gigabit transmission. Mixed operation within the topol-
ogy, for example between SCALANCE X414-3E and OSMs/ESMs is possible re-
gardless of the structure being used (ring with redundancy manager, star, or line
structure).
Using the SCALANCE X-400 as the redundancy manager in a ring with redun-
dancy manager provides greater availability. If there is an interruption on the con-
nection between these switches, the SCALANCE X-400 used as redundancy man-
ager acts like a switch and in a very short time creates a line from the ring with re-
dundant manager. As a result, a functional, end-to-end structure is restored.
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Operating Instructions for SCALANCE X-400 Industrial Ethernet Switches
C79000-G8976-C186-03