Network Diagnostics: Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid
Spotting network saturation points and quickly identifying and replacing bad ports to minimize downtime are key benefits of using the right diagnostic tools for industrial networks.
The shift to Ethernet has dramatically expanded the size of many industrial networks, and it's also brought significant speed increases, so there's far more traffic moving across the twisted pair wires. In factories where network downtime can cause big problems like lost production, keeping these networks running nonstop is far more important than in office environments where brief outages are almost unnoticed.
This article explains the benefits of using network diagnostic tools, when to use managed vs. un-managed switches, and explains the benefits and limitations of simple network management protocol (SNMP).
Article compares and contrasts the appropriate use and limitation of IT network diagnostic tools versus tools designed for industrial automation networks... Read more
Understanding Usability Implications when Selecting Engineering Software
Picking the right software helps improve efficiency and profitability
When it comes down to a final analysis of automation systems, “usability” is perhaps the ultimate goal. It covers all aspects of user requirements, from speed and functionality to ease of use and size.
When integration and design teams are analyzing the software they'll use for automation systems, usability comes down to a handful of core issues. First, the programs must do the jobs they have, and it must let them do these jobs quickly and efficiently. Reliability is mandatory, and ease of use should go beyond the initial setup and basic use to let consumers create shortcuts that fit their specific applications.
Software that fits well with these requirements brings substantial benefits. Users can focus on the job at hand rather than worrying about learning the nuances of a new program, and they can also gather data that will help them see when processes are beginning to drift. That will improve quality and reliability while also reducing downtime... Read more
Webinar: Changes to NFPA 79 Electrical Standard Explained
On Jan. 25, 2012, Underwriters Laboratories will explain significant changes to the 2012 version of the NFPA 79 electrical standard for industrial machinery. Read this article for an overview of what will be presented, and to register.
On Wednesday, January 25, 2012, significant changes in NFPA 79, the Electrical Standard for Industrial Machinery, 2012 edition, will be explained in an important webinar. John Kovacik, principal engineer for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and a recognized authority on the standard, will be the principal presenter.
Advanced for new technologies the 2012 NFPA spells out essential protection for operators, equipment, facilities, and work-in-progress. The new edition presents the latest best practices for a full spectrum of equipment, from single-motored drill presses to complex automated manufacturing systems.
Register to attend the webinar via the link at the end of this article.
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