In order to enhance operational efficiency within IIoT applications, devices need to connect to each other reliably. Therefore, the reliability of networks is of paramount importance for the IIoT. Once networks experience disruption, any system failure will result in unplanned downtime and, subsequently, financial losses. In order to avoid downtime, industrial applications can only tolerate small interruptions to their networks, which are known as the grace time. As set out in the IEC 62439 industrial communication network standard, network recovery times must be shorter than the grace time. To ensure network downtime is kept to an absolute minimum, redundancy technologies can be utilized to protect networks against transmission failures. 

What constitutes an acceptable recovery time often depends on what the application is used for. Based on the requirements of various applications, redundancy technologies can be deployed that support zero or fast recovery times. Moxa has a range of cost-effective redundancy technologies to suit different network requirements. Read on to learn more about the most suitable option for your application.

Zero Network Downtime

For critical applications such as power stations, networks must be able to recover in less than 10 ms. If the network cannot recover within 10 ms, the system will shut down to prevent negatively impacting system operations. Therefore, operators should select a technology that supports zero packet loss to ensure their networks can always recover within 10 ms. In addition to power stations, some applications emerging with the IIoT trend, such as smart factories, require seamless data transmission to ensure production lines remain operational. One of the most popular ways to achieve seamless data transmission is through PRP/HSR technologies that guarantee zero packet loss.

Although asset owners would like to deploy redundancy technologies that support zero downtime, the high cost of these technologies often forces them to deploy technologies that can achieve fast network recovery instead. The scale of the network is another key aspect that has to be considered when building networks. For example, traditional redundancy technologies can only guarantee recovery times to avoid network downtime on small-scale networks. If your application supports several services, you will probably have to deploy a complex network solution as opposed to a simple network solution, which will affect the kind of redundancy technology you should deploy.

Fast Recovery on Simple Networks (Layer 2 Networks)

A simple network is used for applications such as the production line of a smart factory, a surveillance system at an intersection, or a machine-handling operation at a harbor. This system or network is usually for industrial-grade applications. By deploying Moxa’s redundancy technologies on small networks, we guarantee the network will recover automatically within milliseconds.

Moxa’s redundancy technologies ensure industrial-grade applications avoid disruption to their networks. Our Turbo Ring technology supports network recovery times within 20 ms* for up to 250 nodes, and our Turbo Chain technology ensures that networks do not lose any of their redundancy capabilities even when they expand. AeroLink Protection provides protection for wireless networks, and V-ON provides protection for PLC and surveillance applications that use multicast protocols.

*Note: Gigabit Ethernet recovery time < 50 ms

Fast Recovery on Complex Networks (Layer 3 Networks)

A complex network encompasses multiple networks that were each designed for different purposes, but are now interconnected together. For example, within the rail industry, there are multiple networks that must be able to communicate between several different subnetworks and systems including a centralized control center, rail stations, and a railway signaling system.

Turbo Ring, Turbo Chain, and AeroLink Protection can guarantee network redundancy on simple networks. When deploying a large or complex network, which includes several services, Moxa’s V-ON technology, a network redundancy solution specifically designed for complex networks, ensures that communications between different systems remain smooth.

Moxa is a solution provider with over 30 years of experience across different industrial applications. Read our application notes to discover how Moxa’s redundancy technologies help our customers ensure their networks have high availability.