The galvanically isolated network is immune to electromagnetic noise per EN 50082-2, requires no lightning protection, and works at distances up to 3,300 yards without repeaters. Adding in a new machine or device is simple. Systems engineers need only break into the system. An e-mailed message is automatically sent to inform the administrator that the ring is broken, but all other nodes are still working. The system then sends an e-mail message that the ring is back up and running.
Expansion is virtually unlimited.
Reemay decided not to use a commercial Ethernet network, because none offered a high-speed redundant network, and they use slower protocols that are unsuitable for industrial applications. Other industrial networks were looked at, but none had a remote diagnosis and configuration capability of Industrial Ethernet. Instead of being able to check conditions and set configurations from a PC, as is done with the Siemens system, engineers would have had to go out to the field and plug in test equipment. With the Web-based network management software that came with the switches, setup and configuration was easy. The network management software can be accessed remotely by dialing into Reemay's Intranet to monitor performance and allowing the network itself to remain secure.