Husky HME-423E - Manual (Page 55)

5-1
C C h h a a p p t t e e r r 5 5
Network Applications
This chapter contains information on advanced network applications. The topics include:
z X-Ring Application
z Couple Ring Application
z Dual Homing Application
z Dual Ring Application
5-1 X-Ring Application
X-Ring is an advanced industrial redundant technology introduced by Ethernet Direct. When compared with
the commercial standard redundant technologies like STP or RSTP, the X-Ring can effectively reduce the
recovery time to less than 300ms. The ring topology must be applied to all the connected switches. When all
switches are connected in a ring topology with X-Ring function enabled, on of the switches will be appointed
as Ring Master. The Ring Master will monitor the ring’s health to make sure the ring is working properly.
Once a failure is detected by the Ring Master, the Ring Master will activate the blocked backup path within
milliseconds to replace the faulty primary transmission path to make sure the ring topology will continue to
work. In addition, there are multiple Ring Masters allowed in the ring connections. Please see below figure 1
for the example of an X-Ring connection.
Figure 1 Example of X-Ring Connection Diagram
5-2 Couple Ring
In the real world implementation, there are cases that require two X-Ring groups to be connected together to
ensure redundant protection. Couple Ring technology was introduced by Ethernet for this requirement. With
Couple Ring function, each X-Ring group will need to assign two switches with 2 extra ports to achieve the
structure. For this reason, the total switches needed for the Couple Ring to work will be four switches, and
each switch is assigned with four ports for completing a Couple Ring (including the two X-Ring ports per
switch). Please see below figure 2 for example of Couple Ring connection.