High Availability Networking Device
AssigneeFisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
InventorsNeil Peterson, Gary Law, Alexandra Griffith, Scott J. Nicolet, Sergio Diaz, Mark Nixon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A networking device and networking method for use in industrial automation applications. The networking device includes redundant circuitry that can allow the networking device to continue normal operation in the event of a failure that occurs with hardware of the networking device. The networking device includes both primary and secondary network switch circuits, and associated components. The networking device can be an advanced physical layer (APL) switch that interfaces with APL field devices.
Claims20
A networking device, comprising:
- a primary network switch circuit;
- a secondary network switch circuit;
- a first communication port connectable to a first field device;
- a second communication port connectable to a second field device;
- a first output control circuit connected to the first communication port;
- a second output control circuit connected to the second communication port;
- and
- a controller connected to the primary network switch circuit, the secondary network switch circuit, the first output control circuit, and the second output control circuit, the controller comprising circuitry configured to:
- determine that a failure associated with a first connection between the first field device and the primary network switch circuit has occurred;
- and
- operate the first output control circuit to establish a second connection between the first field device and the secondary network switch circuit.
A networking method, comprising:
- establishing, via a communication port of a first networking device, a first connection between a field device and a primary network switch circuit of the networking device;
- receiving, via the communication port of the first networking device, data from the field device;
- routing, by the first networking device, the data received from the field device to a second networking device;
- determining, by a processor of the networking device, that a failure associated with the first connection between the field device and the primary network switch circuit of the networking device has occurred;
- and
- establishing, via the communication port of the networking device, a second connection between the field device and a secondary network switch circuit of the networking device.
A networking device, comprising:
- a primary network switch circuit;
- a secondary network switch circuit;
- a communication port connectable to a field device;
- an output control circuit connected to the communication port;
- and
- a controller connected to the primary network switch circuit, the secondary network switch circuit, and the output control circuit, the controller comprising circuitry configured to:
- determine that a failure associated with a connection between the field device and the primary network switch circuit has occurred;
- and
- operate the output control circuit to establish a second connection between the field device and the secondary network switch circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.