Abstract
At the beginning of the current century, Ethernet-based communication networks began to be implemented in industrial applications. Some previously used protocols were migrated to Ethernet networks, while many others were strictly developed for this communication medium. Numerous industrial Ethernet protocols do not deliver all the capabilities provided by the Ethernet. For example, limitations may arise associated with wireless communication, use of dedicated switching devices, or operation solely for certain topologies. On the other hand, new technologies are now available, such as software defined networks (SDN), that add new features to Ethernet-based communication systems. In this paper, an EtherCAT network in combination with SDN is analyzed. EtherCAT network may only consist of devices with an implemented EtherCAT protocol stack. Therefore, regular Ethernet switches cannot typically be used in this network and, hence, special network infrastructure may be required to create topologies other than standard line topology. It is shown, however, that this limitation can be overcome by the application of SDN. In addition, a definition of datagram forwarding rules (called SDN flows here) is given, and we demonstrate that EtherCAT datagrams can be sent through routes that are required for proper EtherCAT network operation.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralEfficient communication systems for industry are indispensable nowadays
The Ethernet network traffic was captured for the two system topologies, i.e., with and without application of the EtherCAT over SDN (EOS) solution, as depicted by Figures 2 and 3
The results of which are presented in terms of the histograms of Figure 4 and Figure 5
Summary
Efficient communication systems for industry are indispensable nowadays. New industrial systems are most often distributed, and they consist of many devices connected by networks. Data exchange between nodes in industrial communication systems was based on fieldbuses. In the early 2000s, an Ethernet standard began to be extensively implemented for this purpose. Many protocols used for fieldbuses migrated to, after some adaptations, modern Ethernet communication links, e.g., Modbus. Other protocols were developed strictly for the Ethernet, these include: with regard to jurisdictional claims in
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