In 2024, industrial switches are more critical than ever. Such switches help connect devices in factories and businesses. However, with many options available, finding the best switch can be challenging.
Therefore, this guide lists the top 8 trending industrial switches of 2024. These switches are known for their reliability and advanced features. Furthermore, they ensure smooth and secure communication in harsh environments. It would help if you had fast data or durability.
Read on to find the best options. Using these switches can improve your industrial network and keep your operations running.
1. Managed Industrial PoE Switches
Due to its ability to eliminate the need for separate power sources, Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology has grown in popularity in industrial settings, making it easier to install network devices.
For instance, PoE switches are used in buildings and are used to manage power and data. These switches include features like remote management, VLANs, and better security.
PoE industrial switch streamline network infrastructure by enabling effective power transmission to devices like IP cameras, access points, and IoT sensors.
2. Ethernet Switches with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Capabilities
Ethernet switches with TSN integration will become prevalent in 2024. TSN provides high synchronization and is used to transfer data to create responsive networks in industries.
These switches enable Class of Service separation, which helps in splitting critical and important traffic over the same network. This split improves determinism and reduces latency.
TSN-enabled Ethernet switches seamlessly integrate to provide high-performance, synchronized operations in industries including robotics and automobile production.
3. Industrial Switches with Advanced Redundancy and Failover Mechanisms
In vital industries, a reliable network is a must. By 2024, factories will need better backup switches and better recovery features.
The switches have backup power. So, you can replace parts without turning them off. They also include STP, RSTP, and MSTP protocols for automatic switch recovery.
These characteristics keep the network operational. In spite of hardware malfunctions or network issues, they nonetheless carry out this action.
Also, these switches offer backup and recovery options and prevent losses from service interruptions, which is a crucial factor in industrial settings.
4. Industrial Gigabit Switches with Enhanced Cybersecurity
Cyber threats are growing in industrial networks. In 2024, there will be a need for secure Gigabit switches with high-level security features, such as the IEEE 802.
They include 1X authentication and also have Access Control Lists (ACLs) and port security. These tools prevent unauthorized access and harmful activities.
Furthermore, features like secure administrative interfaces and MAC address filtering provide thorough security of vital infrastructure components.
5. Modular Industrial Switches for Scalability
Modular industrial switches have become popular. They can support changes to a business’s networking needs.
These switches have expansion slots. You can adjust the port arrangements in them. This lets the switches meet the needs of each application.
In industry, whether in a small factory or a big company, modular switches cut costs. Furthermore, they also make upgrades easy for growth and expansion.
6. Industrial Ethernet Switches with Multi-Gigabit Support
These include high-speed applications. They are for HD videos, machine vision, and Augmented Reality. They’ve increased the need for Industrial Ethernet switches that support multi-gigabit speeds.
In industrial settings, these switches provide uninterrupted operation of bandwidth-intensive applications by providing lightning-fast data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps or more.
Multi-gigabit Ethernet switches enable enterprises to use cutting-edge technology without sacrificing performance, from smart factories to industrial IoT deployments.
7. Compact Industrial Switches for Edge Computing
The trend of edge computing is growing in industrial automation. Compact industrial switches are now essential parts of edge equipment.
These switches are built to perform under these conditions and do not require a lot of space. This means they can be effectively used in Industrial IoT edge nodes and outdoors.
The switches are compact, have rugged enclosures, and consume little power which further supports efficient data processing.
8. Wireless Industrial Switches for Mobility and Flexibility
Before, most wireless industrial control devices checked data. They processed changing analog data. These include temperature, pressure, flow, humidity, and speed. But robust digital switches, sensors, and accessories changed this and brought a big shift.
- High-level and low-level detection.
- Counting
- Alarm signaling
- Presence/position sensing
- Other digital inputs as needed
Bottomline
In 2024, the market offers many great industrial switches. These top eight switches stand out for their reliability and features. They ensure smooth operations in tough environments. Each switch brings unique benefits, from high-speed data transfer to rugged designs. Choosing the right one can boost your network’s performance and security.
As technology evolves, these switches keep up, providing excellent solutions for various industries. Buying the best industrial switch can improve efficiency. It can also reduce downtime. Stay ahead with these top picks and ensure your operations run.
