No Ethernet Allowed

Our cover Story for the 2nd Quarter 2009 issue of Industrial Networking looks at industrial networks that are surviving the Ethernet onslaught. While Ethernet and its direct variants seem to be ubiquitous and pervasive, there are some areas where other industrial networking technologies still rule. We look at just what those other technologies are - and if and they are still needed.

Specifically, we are looking for answers to the following questions:

1. What industrial networks, if any, are needed in addition to Ethernet?

2. What do these industrial networks provide that Ethernet does not?

3. Will Ethernet eventually supplant these other industrial networks, and if so why hasn’t it done so yet?

4. If Ethernet won’t supplant these other industrial networks, what specific limitations of Ethernet will hold it back?

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