Ethernet based Network Types found in OT networks

Ethernet Network Topologies

• Description: In a star topology, each device (node) on the network is connected to a central device (such as a switch or hub). All data communication passes through the central hub.
• Pros:
• Easy to manage and troubleshoot due to the central point of control.
• If one cable fails, only the connected device is affected, not the entire network.
• High performance as each device has a dedicated connection.
• Cons:
• If the central hub fails, the entire network goes down.
• Requires more cable than some other topologies.

• Description: In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single central cable, known as the bus or backbone.
• Pros:
• Simple and cost-effective for small networks.
• Requires less cable than star topology.
• Cons:
• If the central cable fails, the entire network is affected.
• Performance decreases as more devices are added due to collisions and traffic.

• Description: In a ring topology, each device is connected to two other devices, forming a circular data path.
• Pros:
• Data packets travel in one direction, reducing collisions.
• Predictable network performance.
• Cons:
• If one device or connection fails, the entire network can be disrupted depending on hardware.
• More difficult to install and configure.

• Description: In a daisy chain topology, each device is connected in a series to the next device. It can be either linear or ring.
• Pros:
• Simple to connect and extend.
• Requires less cable than star topology.
• Cons:
• If one device or connection fails, it can affect the entire network.
• Difficult to manage and troubleshoot as network grows.

• Description: In a mesh topology, each device is connected to every other device on the network, creating a highly redundant and fault-tolerant network.
• Pros:
• High reliability and redundancy.
• Each connection can carry its own data load, providing high performance.
• Cons:
• Very expensive and complex to install and manage.
• Requires a large amount of cable and network interfaces.
• Maximum Run Length: Typically follows Ethernet standards, but can vary widely depending on the specific implementation and devices used.
• More common in wireless networks

• Description: RSTP is an evolution of the original Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) designed to prevent network loops in Ethernet networks by dynamically managing the topology.
• Pros:
• Rapid convergence compared to STP, usually within a few seconds.
• Backward compatibility with legacy STP.
• Improves network resiliency and efficiency.
• Cons:
• More complex to configure than STP.
• Requires compatible network devices.
• Typical Use Cases: Used in larger, redundant network topologies to ensure loop-free, reliable connections, especially in enterprise environments.

• 10BASE-T: Up to 328 feet over twisted-pair cabling (Cat3 or higher).
• 100BASE-TX: Up to 328 feet over twisted-pair cabling (Cat5 or higher).
• 1000BASE-T: Up to 328 feet over twisted-pair cabling (Cat5e or higher).
• 10GBASE-T: Up to 328 feet over twisted-pair cabling (Cat6a or higher).
• 10BASE2 (Thinnet): Up to 607 feet over coaxial cable.
• 10BASE5 (Thicknet): Up to 1640 feet over coaxial cable.
• 100BASE-FX: Up to 1.24 miles over multimode fiber.
• 1000BASE-SX: Up to 1804 feet over multimode fiber.
• 1000BASE-LX: Up to 3.1 miles over single-mode fiber.

Conclusion