Enable multiple redundant networks flexibly and reliably.
At this year´s SPS/IPC/Drives show in Nuremberg, Moxa presented its new redundancy solution for Industrial Ethernet networks – Turbo Chain.
Turbo Chain is a layer 2 protocol that provides recovery of the network communication in case of a single switch failure or a single link failure between switches. Recovery time is less than 20 milliseconds (with up to 250 switches in one chain) are in a system that offers flexible network topologies and co-works with RSTP.
The Turbo Chain concept
A linear network of switches, a so-called chain, contains a head switch and a tail switch. Each end switch on the chain connects to another network. When all links in the chain are operational, the tail switch blocks the port connected to the other network.
In case of inter-switch link failure, the nodes adjacent to the failed link block the affected ports and report the failure to the chain. The tail switch port then transitions from blocked to forwarding to keep the network communication available.
Inter-switch link recovery works as follows: when the failed link recovers, the connected ports of the adjacent nodes keep blocking traffic. The adjacent nodes report the link recovery to the chain. Then the tail port transitions to blocked state and notifies the adjacent nodes to transition their ports to forwarding again.
The main benefits of Turbo Chain are the high availability through a fast recovery time and the flexibility of the possible network topologies. In addition, the standard interoperability approach protects existing investments. Sub-system expansion becomes easy and reduces installation costs while increasing redundancy without any network modification. Turbo chain also provides a scalable solution for I/O device redundancy as it eliminates switch single point of failure, increases I/O device network redundancy, reduces cabling costs and offers a unified device switch design.
Moxa Turbo Pack
Moxa has packed Turbo Chain redundancy along managed Ethernet switch functions and new Ethernet protocols into a new firmware called Turbo Pack with which customers can directly upgrade the firmware into existing switches without any hardware modification. Turbo Pack offers LLDP technology, allows flexible network topologies, time synchronisation (IEEE 1588), easy network extensions, DHCP Opt 82, standard interoperability and fast recovery times.
The main benefits of Turbo Pack are:
* Redundant network:
1. Moxa Turbo Ring protocol with <20 ms recovery time.
2. STP/RSTP
3. Port trunking
4. Turbo Chain
* Reliable management:
1. HTTPS/SSL
2. IEEE 802.1X
3. Port lock
4. SNMP Inform
5. SSH
* Optimised performance:
1. IPv6 (& IPv4 = dual stack)
2. QoS
3. Rate limiting
4. VLAN
5. IGMP snooping
6. DHCP option 82
7. IEEE 1588 PTP
8. Modbus/TCP
9. SSH
10. Firefox Web browser
* Easy maintenance:
1. SNMP
2. RMON
3. Auto e-mail warning
4. LLDP
5. User friendly GUI
Moxa Turbo Chain and Turbo Pack are ideal for large network deployments and applications that require numerous rings and network extensions, including: intelligent transportation systems; railway infrastructure; power distribution; factory automation; power plants; telecommunications and robotic control.
Five data centre trends to watch in 2025
IT in Manufacturing
Any innovation that comes out in 2025 – whether it’s flying cars, highly advanced AI or a breakthrough medical treatment – will be built on the back of an equally innovative IT foundation driven by data. Data that needs to be stored, managed and made accessible in the data centre, in the cloud or at the edge. Is it too much of a stretch to say the future of humankind is dependent on data storage? We don’t think so.
Read more...Recovering from a cyberattack
IT in Manufacturing
While many organisations have invested heavily in frontline defence tools to try to keep out bad actors, they have spent far less time and money preparing for what happens when the criminals eventually get in. And they will get in.
Read more...The value of proactive maintenance management Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Maintenance has come a long way from the days when we waited for things to break, and thanks to the ever-increasing capabilities of technology, predictive maintenance has become a viable solution for keeping equipment running smoothly and efficiently around the world.
Read more...Pinpointing pipeline occurrences in seconds, not hours Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
At any given moment, thousands of kilometres of critical assets flow through pipelines that cross veld, mountainous areas, dense forests, and even busy streets. Surprisingly, many of these pipelines operate either unmonitored or with scant oversight, leading to missed opportunities for operational continuity and efficiency.
Read more...Next-generation AI-enhanced electronic systems design software Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Siemens Digital Industries Software has launched the latest advancement in its electronic systems design portfolio. The next-generation release takes an integrated and multidisciplinary approach, bringing a unified user experience that delivers cloud connectivity and AI capabilities to push the boundaries of innovation in electronic systems design.
Read more...Spatial computing and AI – where no man has sustainably gone before Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Some will argue that we now live in a sci-fi world where we dream of electric sheep, and today’s technology – unlike HAL – can provide us with the answers we seek. To the realist it might seem a bit implausible, but when you start using terms like ‘spatial computing realises sustainable AI’ it doesn’t seem that far-fetched.
Read more...Safeguarding DCS today and tomorrow Schneider Electric South Africa
IT in Manufacturing
Today’s distributed control systems (DCS) are highly intelligent, converging OT and IT in a centralised manner that allows for simplified management and coordination of operations. It is technology evolution at its finest, but with a caveat, cybersecurity challenges.
Read more...Quantum computing is not as futuristic as it sounds
IT in Manufacturing
The first quantum computer was created almost three decades ago. While its applications are still unknown to many, this advanced field combines computer science, physics and mathematics to deliver solutions the world has been trying to find for aeons – and those it doesn’t yet know it needs.
Read more...Transform field data into actionable business data
IT in Manufacturing
As part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing industry connectivity, Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection is making its new and proprietary Teledyne GDCloud available with the company´s GS700, GS500 and Shipsurveyor portable gas leak detectors, and also its PS200 portable four-gas monitor for personal safety and confined-space applications.
printer friendly version