White paper

Industrial Wireless LAN
This white paper presents an overview of the various technologies involved in Wireless LAN for industrial use complying with IEEE 802.11. It describes both the industrial enhancements (I-Features) and the current and future standards of the IEEE. Note: Please note that standards that have already been approved and published are not described in this document.

With publication of this document the previous

White Paper has been updated with the latest information.

Industrial Ethernet network topologies
The purpose of this White Paper is to discuss the basic differences between the objectives and principles of networks used in industrial production environments in comparison to those of office networks. Another purpose is to systematically discuss the inclusion of networks in the international standardization process and the many secondary conditions involved in industrial applications, and to determine the resulting, far-reaching demands on industrial networks and their topologies. It contains the elementary line, star, tree and ring topologies typical for industrial applications as well as practical combinations of these topologies.

It discusses examples of concrete solutions for network topology and component configuration based on typical industrial applications. It provides an outlook of how network topologies in Industrial Ethernet applications will develop in future. It explains the meaning of commonly used concepts and terms.

Industrial Wireless LAN
This White Paper explains Industrial Wireless LAN technology and the ways in which it differs from Wireless LAN according to IEEE 802.11. It also presents applications and examples for use in industrial environments. The Paper concludes by describing currently available products and also products and technologies of the future.

Note:

	Wireless LAN based on the IEEE 802.11 Standard and
	other radio technologies

will be explained in detail in a separate White Paper.

Industrial Ethernet cabling
he purpose of this White Paper is to present information on the subject of industrial cabling in automation environments and to provide an overview of future developments in this field.
In addition to purely technical data and cost considerations, the following factors also play a significant role in the decision to use cabling technologies from SIMATIC NET:

	Ease of use
	Use of synergies
	Future technological advances
	Ability to put existing knowledge to use

Industrial Ethernet basics
The purpose of this White Paper is to describe in detail the story of the birth of Industrial Ethernet, to provide the reader with information regarding the basic concepts of Ethernet, particularly in conjunction with automation, to discuss the demands placed on industrial usage and the resulting product features and characteristics, and to provide an overview of future developments in Industrial Ethernet. In addition to purely technical data and cost considerations, the following factors also play an important role in the decision to use Industrial Ethernet:

	Investment protection
	Ease of use (Plug & Play)
	Future advances in technological development
	Ability to put existing knowledge of fieldbuses to use

"Data Security in Industrial Communication" is the title of a White paper written by Franz Köbinger. The purpose of the White Paper is to:

	inform about the information security in industrial communication
	show risks and threats and
	present the respective protective mechanisms and solutions.