Linear Ethernet network having a plurality of plug connection modules connected via Ethernet lines (120, 130, 220, 320, 420), the plug connection modules (100, 200, 300, 400) each comprising - a first Ethernet connection and a second Ethernet connection for connection to one or more Ethernet networks (120, 130, 220, 320, 420) or Ethernet subnetworks and a device connection for connection to the electronic device (190, 290, 390, 490), - a switching network node module, - the two Ethernet connections (102, 104) and the device connection being coupled via the switching network node module in such a manner that an Ethernet frame arriving via one of the connections (102, 104, 110) can be forwarded or is forwarded to at least one of the other connections (102, 104, 110), and - the switching network node module being supplied with electrical energy via the first Ethernet connection and/or the second Ethernet connection, characterized in that - the plug connection modules (100, 200, 300, 400) are each designed and set up in such a manner that electrical energy supplied via the device connection is at least partially forwarded to the first Ethernet connection and/or second Ethernet connection, - the plug connection modules (100, 200, 300, 400) are connected to a respective electronic device (190, 290, 390, 490) and are incorporated in the linear Ethernet network via their Ethernet connections, - the linear Ethernet network comprises a network node or a voltage source for feeding electrical energy into the Ethernet network. - a first Ethernet connection and a second Ethernet connection for connection to one or more Ethernet networks (120, 130, 220, 320, 420) or Ethernet subnetworks and a device connection for connection to the electronic device (190, 290, 390, 490), - a switching network node module, - the two Ethernet connections (102, 104) and the device connection being coupled via the switching network node module in such a manner that an Ethernet frame arriving via one of the connections (102, 104, 110) can be forwarded or is forwarded to at least one of the other connections (102, 104, 110), and - the switching network node module being supplied with electrical energy via the first Ethernet connection and/or the second Ethernet connection, - the two Ethernet connections (102, 104) and the device connection being coupled via the switching network node module in such a manner that an Ethernet frame arriving via one of the connections (102, 104, 110) can be forwarded or is forwarded to at least one of the other connections (102, 104, 110), and - the switching network node module being supplied with electrical energy via the first Ethernet connection and/or the second Ethernet connection, - the plug connection modules (100, 200, 300, 400) are each designed and set up in such a manner that electrical energy supplied via the device connection is at least partially forwarded to the first Ethernet connection and/or second Ethernet connection, - the plug connection modules (100, 200, 300, 400) are connected to a respective electronic device (190, 290, 390, 490) and are incorporated in the linear Ethernet network via their Ethernet connections, - the linear Ethernet network comprises a network node or a voltage source for feeding electrical energy into the Ethernet network.