Redundant Switch for Ethernet Network

A connection device for mediating a connection between a redundant network switch and at least one end device, comprising:

• the redundant network switch adapted to operate in an Ethernet network, the redundant network switch comprising:
• at least a first uplink port and a second uplink port that are connectable to an Ethernet network;
• a plurality of downlink ports that are connectable to end devices to provide connectivity to the Ethernet network to the end devices;
• and
• at least a first switching component connected at least to the first uplink port and a second switching component connected at least to the second uplink port, wherein each downlink port is connected to at least one of the first switching component and the second switching component;
• wherein each of the first switching component and the second switching component is configured to, upon receiving an Ethernet frame from an uplink port or from a downlink port, forward this Ethernet frame to an uplink port or downlink port that leads towards the destination of this Ethernet frame;
• at least one uplink port that is connectable to one of the plurality of downlink ports of the redundant network switch;
• and
• at least one downlink port that is connectable to the at least one end device.

A distributed control system (DCS) for an industrial plant, the industrial plant comprising a plurality of sensors configured to capture measurement data and a plurality of actuators configured to exert physical action on an industrial process executed on the industrial plant, the DCS comprising:

• at least one controller configured to receive the measurement data as input, generate control commands, and transmit the control commands to at least one actuator operating to exert the physical action;
• an Ethernet network configured to communicatively link the at least one controller with the plurality of sensors and/or the at least one actuator;
• and
• at least one redundant network switch adapted to operate in an Ethernet network, the at least one redundant network switch comprising:
• at least a first uplink port and a second uplink port that are connectable to an Ethernet network;
• a plurality of downlink ports that are connectable to end devices to provide connectivity to the Ethernet network to the end devices;
• and
• at least a first switching component connected at least to the first uplink port and a second switching component connected at least to the second uplink port, wherein each downlink port is connected to at least one of the first switching component and the second switching component;
• wherein each of the first switching component and the second switching component is configured to, upon receiving an Ethernet frame from an uplink port or from a downlink port, forward this Ethernet frame to an uplink port or downlink port that leads towards the destination of this Ethernet frame;
• wherein the at last one redundant network switch connects the at least one sensor, and/or the at least one actuator, to the Ethernet network.