Getting Started | Ethernet Switching Basics
Ethernet switches aren’t only for industrial networks—they’re the backbone of many everyday connectivity systems.
- Where you’ll see them: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), IP surveillance & access control, parking / gate systems, and industrial automation networks.
- Industrial tip For outdoor cabinets or factory floors (heat, vibration, electrical noise / EMI), choose a industrial Ethernet switch to keep links stable and uptime high.
- 👉 See it in action: Watch the video
When the network is slow or keeps dropping, troubleshooting often stalls because the symptoms aren’t clear. Share the details below so support can pinpoint the cause faster.
- What to report: when it happens, what’s impacted, and what you see (dropouts, slow speed, no link, devices unreachable).
- What to prepare: switch model, wiring and port map, topology snapshot, and key settings such as VLAN and PoE configuration.
- 👉 Quick triage guide
A clear topology diagram speeds up deployment, handoff, and root-cause analysis when links drop or performance degrades.
- Must-have labels: device models, interface types (RJ45/SFP/fiber), plus key parameters (IP/VLAN/ring redundancy, etc.).
- Helpful tool: download a modern Visio topology toolkit with product stencils and quick-draw components for clean, accurate diagrams.
- EtherWAN Visio Toolkit + demo
Learn the correct wiring and power-up sequence for an industrial Ethernet switch and DC power supply. From cabling to first boot—new users can get it done confidently.
Watch the 50-second demoAdvanced | VLAN, Fiber & Redundancy
VLAN Segmentation — Better Performance, Stronger Security
Get the core VLAN logic on managed switches—then use it to segment real networks..
With VLAN segmentation, you can plan topology more flexibly while improving security and operational efficiency for ITS, industrial control networks, and enterprise edge deployments.
👉 Watch the VLAN demo
A practical view of IEEE 802.1Q and how VLANs keep traffic separated.
We’ll cover tagged vs. untagged VLANs, VLAN ID basics, and simple ways to cut broadcast noise—so your network stays cleaner, safer, and easier to manage in industrial and enterprise deployments.
- Related read: VLAN: your network’s security layer
- VLAN ID demo
See the difference between trunk and access ports, then fix VLAN issues between switches.
Learn how tagged and untagged traffic behaves across switches, so VLANs stay clean and separated.
- Related read: VLAN trunk mode overview
- Quick tutorial
Fiber Troubleshooting — When Fiber Won’t Link
Why fiber shows “no link”: quick checks, SFP match, and cross-tests that work.
Check connector type, polarity, and Tx/Rx (A/B). Then confirm your test method to find why fiber won’t link and keep the backbone stable.
👉 Watch the videoSmart Operations | Automated Recovery for Remote Sites
Traffic-based monitoring triggers automatic recovery, so PoE devices can reboot and recover fast from intermittent dropouts.
Enable PoE Watchdog in the management UI to monitor devices 24/7 and auto-reboot remote endpoints—ideal for IP cameras, unmanned sites, and large deployments.
👉 Watch PoE Watchdog in action
Hands-on switch security settings to block tampering, unauthorized access, and network disruption.
Seven real-world scenarios show layered defenses that keep industrial and smart-city networks resilient—even under attacks and interference.
👉 Watch the security labAlpha Ring Redundancy — Keep Video Online
Alpha Ring lab: 15ms failover for video and critical traffic.
This video shows how Alpha Ring redundancy works and how to set it up. If any node in the network fails, traffic can fail over in about 15ms—ideal for video surveillance, transportation, and industrial Ethernet networks that need high uptime.
How do you keep video stable—and how do you test failover the right way?
This walkthrough covers an end-to-end surveillance network build: switch configuration, redundancy topology, and side-by-side failover testing. The focus is system-level design so video keeps running even when devices or links fail—ideal for transportation monitoring, public areas, and industrial sites.
👉 “Enable redundancy / restore links fast”Project Playbook | Redundancy & System Design
Need redundancy without redesigning everything? Here’s a fast, low-risk way to add backup paths.
This video shows how to build a redundancy route using the A.B.C. Solution without changing your existing architecture. It covers upgrade logic, compatibility checks, and how to reduce retrofit risk—so you avoid rework and unexpected downtime.
👉 See how A.B.C. works
Use DI/DO on industrial PoE switches to automate remote lighting and alarm workflows.
Learn how PoE plus DI/DO digital I/O can control remote lights and alarm devices quickly. Common deployments include smart city street lighting, unmanned parking surveillance, and plant safety alert systems.
👉 What is PoE Action?
Why “backup” sometimes doesn’t work—plus the checks that prevent expensive surprises.
For large projects (rail, smart city, etc.), we’ve compiled real “failsafe that fails” scenarios. Learn practical redundancy basics (RSTP/ERPS-style) and how to validate failover correctly—before it impacts uptime and project quality.
👉 Watch the breakdown