In today's interconnected world, the number of devices connected to the internet is climbing every day. According to research firm McKinsey, 127 new devices connect to the internet every second, with billions of devices connected globally. These numbers increase when we consider local area networks (LANs), which consist of critical embedded systems connected in industries such as rail, military and defense, industry, and maritime.
Switches are at the heart of network architecture performance, allowing data to be relayed between connected computers and devices and transmitted to larger networks via protocols such as Ethernet. Protecting these switches is especially important for critical applications used in harsh environments, automotive networks, discrete and process manufacturing, and other applications.
Ensuring the protection of Ethernet switches in harsh environments requires hardening them. However, before considering Ethernet switches as part of a hardening solution, it's essential to understand the switch's role and network requirements. Recab UK's experience in developing rugged embedded systems with Ethernet capabilities tells us that designing the network first, and then hardening it and its components, ensures the best possible solution.
Characteristics of network technology
In a white paper on this topic, our trusted partner Diamond Systems outlines several key requirements for network applications. These include the ability to build and manage multiple networks using a single physical device, mirrored ports for monitoring traffic, daisy-chain switches for local network expansion, protecting network traffic, and hardening network components.
Security is a highly complex field, but it is crucial for mission-critical applications. There are two types of cybersecurity: virtual security, primarily stemming from software systems and data encryption; and physical security, where components play a role in maintaining data integrity.
An example of network virtual security is an intruder detection system that detects potential security vulnerabilities, logs information about possible breaches, and issues alerts on a console or via a serial port. This is complemented by the network's encryption standards.
Physical security stems from the specific ports of a switch, which is why collaborating with embedded experts is invaluable in critical embedded networking projects. Small form factor (SFP) ports can convert a network's copper media to Fibre Channel. Because fiber optic technology is an electrical medium, it protects the medium from electromagnetic (EM) eavesdropping and other malicious attacks. Fibre Channel also offers the advantage of transmitting data over longer distances with less signal loss.
Common hybrid media applications use copper networks for local communication and interface with fiber optic networks for higher-speed applications, network-to-network connections, and long-haul communications. Therefore, some smaller Ethernet switch manufacturers include port combinations in their products. At Recab UK, partnering with a leading Ethernet switch manufacturer means we can develop a solution that offers both flexibility and enhanced network security.
For example, in space-constrained custom embedded systems, Diamond Systems' EPSM-10GX4 Ethernet switch module is an ideal choice. Based on the Module-on-Computer (COM) Express Mini standard form factor (84x55 mm), the EPSM-10GX4 features an ultra-compact package and nearly fully encapsulated switching technology. It offers 24 10/100/1000 Mbps copper ports and four 10 Gbps SFP+ ports. There is also the EPS-24G4X full-featured carrier board, which brings out 1 Gbps ports to latching connectors and 10 Gbps ports to SFP+ slots.
Alternatively, for high-power applications with more available space using the VPX platform, the new VX6940 6U VPX Ethernet switch from Kontron is an option. It features two front-panel QSFP28 transceivers supporting high-speed (up to 100G) fiber or passive copper connections, each allowing four 10G or SFP+ ports. These switches are best suited for data-intensive applications requiring numerous data paths, such as high-definition sensor or radar systems.
Recab UK has extensive experience in developing systems that include switch designs, whether through our own development or by using switches from our partners Aitech, Kontron, Duagon, or Diamond Systems. Solutions depend on the project requirements and the application's location.
For example, railway applications may require the use of Duagon switches designed specifically for harsh locomotive and rolling stock operating environments. The D510, for instance, is a configurable six-port Ethernet switch compliant with EN50155, IEC61375, and IEEE802.3. This switch is housed in a robust, compact housing and features integrated DC/DC conversion, eliminating the need for an external power supply.
Reinforcement
In many connected applications, ruggedization is a key consideration. This applies to outdoor applications, automotive networks, factory floor applications in discrete and process manufacturing, and more.
For these types of applications, environmental conditions must be considered. System designers should pay particular attention to factors such as operating temperature range, shock and vibration levels during operation, and power quality. For many critical applications, the size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) of network equipment will also be a key consideration.
Selecting off-the-shelf Ethernet switches for demanding applications requires a clear understanding of environmental requirements and an evaluation of each product's specifications. To thrive in harsh environments, the network design must take these requirements into account. For extended temperature operation, this includes everything from PCB layout and component specifications to rigorous environmental testing to validate performance.
The exact requirements vary from application to application, so there is no single switch selection or hardening method that works for all. Unfortunately, for most system designers, it's far more complex than specifying the number of ports or the required data speed. This is where the benefit of collaborating with embedded systems design experts like Recab UK comes in.
As connectivity plays an increasingly important role in non-commercial applications, it is crucial to consider these factors to ensure effective and sustained embedded system performance. Choosing the wrong switch or failing to adequately plan for operational and environmental requirements is a costly mistake—but it can be avoided through planning and foresight.
