SIXNET Ring Switch Tour

What’s the best way to monitor your network of switches? One way is with SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) but unlike the name implies it is not at all simple. It requires the use of more expensive managed switches, special SNMP software, complex setups and will probably require the help of your IT department. Wouldn’t you rather just bring the status of your control network into your existing HMI along with all the other data that you are monitoring? Of course. The Real-time Ring™ Switches make this a reality. They directly support Modbus/UDP (Modbus over Ethernet using UDP). Most HMI software such as CitectSCADA provide a Modbus/UDP driver or you can use an OPC to Modbus/UDP server such as the KEPServer from KEPWare. Each ring switch has 32 bits of data that gives you complete status of power inputs (primary and secondary), port operations, ring connections and more. Now you can use the software that you already own and are familiar with to easily trigger alarms in your HMI when there is a detected network problem. Note: If you need to use Modbus/TCP (Modbus over Ethernet using TCP/IP) then see further below for some easy solutions.