Industrial Network Redundancy Switching for Flexible PRP/HSR Topologies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Redboxes lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness when used in industrial networks, particularly due to their inability to combine with IEEE 802.1Q/D switches and limitations in supporting various redundancy configurations, such as PRP/HSR, which restricts their application in certain industrial network setups.
Innovation Solution
A network device with port groups and a switch module, including link redundancy entities with multiple interlinked ports, allows for flexible and cost-effective redundancy configurations like VDAN, HSR quadbox, PRP-HSR, and PRP-PRP, enabling seamless redundancy between end devices and network segments, and includes a configuration module for user input and network topology-based connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent Redboxes are used to provide redundancy configurations, then redundancy coverage is improved, but device quantity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple Redbox functionalities into a single network device by integrating a switch module with multiple port groups, where each port group contains link redundancy entities. This consolidation allows one device to perform the functions of multiple independent Redboxes, reducing device quantity while maintaining redundancy coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device is designed with universal functionality to support multiple redundancy configurations (PRP, HSR, VDAN, HSR-PRP) simultaneously through its modular port group structure. Each port group can be independently configured for different redundancy protocols, making a single device capable of replacing multiple specialized Redboxes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional Redboxes are used, then simplicity of device structure is maintained, but adaptability to different redundancy configurations and network topologies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The network device is segmented into multiple port groups, where each port group contains link redundancy entities that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows different portions of the device to handle different redundancy protocols and network topologies simultaneously, enhancing adaptability without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs dynamic configuration capabilities where port groups and link redundancy entities can be programmatically configured through a configuration module. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to adjust to various redundancy configurations (PRP, HSR, VDAN, HSR-PRP) and network topologies without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and network device for providing redundancy in an industrial network includes a first port group connected to a first network segment of the industrial network, and includes a switch module that has a plurality of southbound ports, wherein at least one southbound port is connected to a corresponding end device, where each port group has a pair of redundant northbound ports connected to a link redundancy entity having two or more interlinked ports connectable to one or more south-bound ports of switch module based on network topology for enabling redundant links between end devices connected to the southbound ports and the first network segment.