Industrial switches are primarily used to facilitate data exchange and communication between devices within a Local Area Network (LAN), featuring high speed, reliability, and ease of management. On the other hand, industrial routers are responsible for transmitting data from the LAN to remote networks or the Internet via the Wide Area Network (WAN), enabling cross-regional network interconnection. These two components complement each other, jointly forming the communication network foundation of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

1. Selection and Deployment of Industrial Switches

1.1 Needs Analysis

Before selecting an industrial switch, it is crucial to clarify key information such as the network topology, the number of devices, and data traffic requirements. This helps determine essential parameters like the required number of ports, forwarding rate, and backplane bandwidth.

1.2 Switch Type Selection

• Unmanaged Switches: Suitable for simple network environments, requiring no complex configuration and offering plug-and-play functionality.
• Managed Switches: Support advanced features like SNMP and Web management, facilitating network monitoring, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Industrial-Grade Switches: Designed specifically for harsh industrial environments, offering higher reliability, stability, and environmental adaptability.

1.3 Deployment Strategy

• Hierarchical Deployment: Typically adopts a layered approach with access, aggregation, and core layers to enhance network scalability and manageability.
• Redundancy Design: Implements dual switches or stacking at critical nodes to improve network reliability and fault tolerance.

2. Selection and Configuration of Industrial Routers

2.1 Router Type Selection

• Wired Routers: Suitable for fixed network environments, providing stable network connections.
• Wireless Routers: Support Wi-Fi functionality, facilitating mobile device access, but require consideration for signal coverage and security.
• Industrial-Grade Routers: Designed for industrial environments, offering stronger anti-interference capabilities, higher stability, and a wider range of interface options.

2.2 Key Parameters to Consider

• WAN Interfaces: Support multiple WAN access methods (e.g., ADSL, fiber, 4G/5G) to meet diverse network environment needs.
• VPN Support: Provides secure remote access and data transmission channels, safeguarding data security.
• Routing Protocols: Support various routing protocols, including static routing and dynamic routing (e.g., RIP, OSPF), to adapt to complex network structures.

2.3 Configuration and Optimization

• Network Address Planning: Plan IP addresses, subnet masks, and other network parameters reasonably to avoid address conflicts and waste.
• Routing Policy Settings: Set routing priorities, load balancing, and other strategies based on business needs to optimize network performance.
• Security Policy Configuration: Configure firewall rules, access control lists, and other security policies to ensure network security.

3. Strategies for Combining Industrial Switches and Routers

3.1 Logical Layering

In IIoT networks, switches are typically deployed at the access and aggregation layers, handling data exchange within the LAN, while routers are deployed at the core or edge layers, responsible for forwarding LAN data to the WAN or the Internet. This logical layering approach reduces network complexity and enhances manageability and scalability.

3.2 Redundancy Design

Implement redundancy designs such as dual switches, dual routers, or switch stacking at critical nodes to improve network reliability and fault tolerance. In case of a primary device failure, the backup device can quickly take over to ensure continuous and stable network services.

3.3 Collaborative Work

Industrial switches and routers must work closely together to achieve efficient data transmission and stable network operation. During configuration, ensure consistency and accuracy of network parameters (e.g., IP addresses, subnet masks, gateways) between the two devices. Additionally, set reasonable routing policies and traffic control strategies based on business needs to optimize network performance.

3.4 Security Protection

In IIoT environments, network security is paramount. When combining industrial switches and routers, consider comprehensive security measures. For instance, configure firewall rules, access control lists, and other security policies on routers. Utilize the VLAN partitioning function of switches to isolate data traffic across different business areas, enhancing network security.

The combination of industrial switches and routers is crucial for building stable and efficient IIoT networks. Through thorough needs analysis, appropriate selection and deployment, and optimized configuration, the collaborative work between these two components can be optimized. Additionally, addressing network security concerns and implementing effective protection measures are essential to ensure the secure and stable operation of the network. As senior R&D engineers or practitioners in the IIoT field, it is imperative to consider these factors thoroughly when designing and implementing networking applications to guarantee project success and long-term stability.