Advantages of Ring Topologies in Networking

Ring topologies contribute to rugged, robust security and surveillance networks that require automatic failover for mission-critical applications. For ultimate reliability, combine this topology with industrial Ethernet switches that can transmit video, audio, and data at gigabit speeds even in harsh conditions. Cities and public safety organizations are increasingly choosing ring topologies with industrial Ethernet switches for their IP security networks to meet demands for higher image quality, enhanced network accessibility, scalability and cost savings.

Ring Topology Advantages and Disadvantages

Ring topologies connect all devices in your network in a daisy chain. Data travels from one device to the next until it reaches its destination and finally back to the operations center. This configuration requires less cabling and trenching than alternative star topologies and thus is simpler and more cost-effective to implement.

With traditional ring topologies, if one device in the ring fails, then the entire network was affected. You could lose all video feeds from multiple cameras in your network at once. To address this issue, several companies, including Black Box, developed proprietary ring topologies to improve resiliency and failover time by enabling data to travel in two directions around the ring. Combined with industrial Ethernet switches, a resilient ring topology can recover your network in 15 to 30 milliseconds—fast enough that you won't miss a single frame of your video feed.

Potential applications for Ring Topologies

Transportation - Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)

• A system that allows centralized management of traffic over the metropolitan regions of a city

• Gigabit fiber optic network using Ethernet switches with several nodes spread out over metropolitan regions, for long-distance and high bandwidth requirements

Mission Critical Settings - Monitoring and Control

• Ensuring alarm sensors exchange signals over Ethernet connected to a control center

• By utilizing the existing fiber network, Input/output signals can be transferred without additional wiring effort

Industrial Ethernet Switches

An industrial Ethernet switch can provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) to your cameras and backhaul data to the server. This type of network switch is designed to withstand exposure to dust, vibrations and temperature extremes of -40°C to +75°C. Industrial switches also offer power redundancy and automatic failover protocols to ensure you maintain surveillance communications without interruptions.

Industrial switches available from Black Box have a large operating temperature range and convection cooling, eliminating the need for intake and exhaust fans that suck in dust, grease and other particles. They come in hardened enclosures designed to withstand the elements. To meet the demand for high-definition surveillance images, many industrial switches come equipped with SFP slots that enable multimode or single-mode fiber uplinks over long distances at Gigabit speeds.

PoE Ethernet Switches

Power over Ethernet Switches contributes to a flexible, cost-effective and reliable surveillance network. It eliminates the need to run electricity to individual security cameras, reducing installation and equipment costs. PoE is especially useful in hard-to-reach outdoor areas such as light poles or building exteriors. It also lets you easily move a device without impacting your network. Find out more on POE by reading our Black Box explains POE in Networking.