HIRSCHMANN_NETWORK_SYSTEMS

Hirschmann Network Systems
Distributed Communication Architecture
Industrial networking solutions with a future

Hirschmann Boiler plate 5
Section 1 6
Industrial Communications Systems 6
Introduction 6
Hirschmann DCA - a strategy for the next millennium 6
Strategic direction 6
Why do you need a network architecture? 7
Flexibility for the future 7
The lack of a single transparent automation and control network 7
The network is a long-term major asset 7
Principles for industrial network architecture 8
Industry trends 8
The need for high performance Industrial networks 10
Distributed Communication Architecture – DCA 11
A statement of direction for industrial networks 11
Real time 11
Migration 11
Topology & Resilience 12
Management 12
Performance 12
Cost. 12
A blueprint for future industrial network growth 12
Section 2 13
An industrial networking architecture for the next millennium 13
The future of automation 13
The Vision 14
Criteria for network evaluation 16
REAL-TIME 16
Ethernet 16
Legacy Fieldbus 16
MIGRATION 16
Ethernet 16
Legacy Fieldbus 16
TOPOLOGY & RESILIENCE 16
Ethernet 16
Legacy Fieldbus 16
Continued… 17
Ethernet 17
Legacy Fieldbus 17
MANAGEMENT 17
Ethernet 17
Legacy Fieldbus 17
PERFORMANCE 17
Ethernet 17
Legacy Fieldbus 17
COST 17
Ethernet 17
Legacy Fieldbus 17

Section 3 18
The Ethernet Evolution 18
A brief history 19
The road to deterministic Ethernet 19
Ethernet developments over the past decade 20
Evolving standards 21
Section 4 22
A time for change 22
Market dynamics 22
Vendor opportunities 23
Section 5 24
Hirschmann’s DCA 24
A blueprint for future industrial growth 24
The Hirschmann Ethernet Fieldbus Approach 25
Real-time 25
Migration. 26
Topology & Resilience. 26
Management. 28
Performance 28
Cost. 28
Benefits 29
What Hirschmann offers 29
Summary 29

Hirschmann Network Systems Communications Strategy

Hirschmann`s long-term communications strategy is based around the complementary strands of industrial automation & control communication and enterprise-wide communications, managed by a common management application, HiVision.
The Distributed Communication Architecture (DCA) describes a robust standards-based Ethernet solution for all levels of the industrial automation and control environment, managing and handling information from instruments and sensors to control devices which intercommunicate with plant computer equipment.

DCA can be deployed throughout the wide spectrum of industrial applications. Factory automation, traffic management and process control are typical environments where Hirschmann’s industrial network solutions are being used. With intranet/Internet access to the control network managers are able to view the shopfloor, data and activities easily and cost-effectively.
Industrial networks need to provide two views of the factory or process - a view of operations and a view of configuration/management/diagnostics. Both require traffic management capabilities in the network to prioritize traffic and minimize congestion, which DCA provides.
The Scalable Ethernet Architecture (SEA) is a strategic framework for scalable Ethernet throughout the enterprise, from the workgroup to the enterprise backbone, comprising advanced network devices and management software.


Hirschmann Boiler plate


Hirschmann Network Systems, a division of Richard Hirschmann GmbH & co, is the leading manufacturer of robust system solutions, designed specifically for industrial networking requirements. Part of Rheinmetall Elektronik AG, the highly successful German industrial conglomerate, Hirschmann Network Systems have ambitious growth plans and aim to become the number one supplier of industrial strength networking solutions within the next three years. With a broad spectrum of products, Hirschmann provides a complete range of Ethernet solutions for industrial and corporate end users.
Customers come from all enterprises, industrial and public sectors, including chemical and automotive industries, finance and banking, local government, education, the media and health care. Hirschmann has performed particularly well in harsh industrial environments where the emphasis is placed on “super-resilient”, deterministic networks.

The industrial product portfolio, IndustrialLine, developed specifically for the challenging conditions of the industrial world, include maintenance free, long-lived, standards compliant products that are easily installed within a plug and play architecture. Consisting of hubs, concentrators and switches, the IndustrialLine includes four product families: ASGE, MC, MR and the second generation DIN Rail family of products all designed to address the specific requirements of mission-critical industrial networking.
Steeped in a tradition of technological innovation, the first milestone for the company was back in 1984 with the installation of the world’s first Ethernet network, employing Fibre Optics at the University of Stuttgart. Today, Hirschmann has 100,000 hubs and switches installed in over 15,000 networks world-wide while domestically; Hirschmann is the prime network supplier to 150 of Germany’s Top 500 companies. Hirschmann continues to develop innovative, high quality network systems