Seamless redundancy in wired and wireless networks
No more loss of data thanks to redundant communication
With seamless redundancy you optimize the data transmission in your network – for wired and wireless communication. The advantage of seamless redundancy mechanisms is that no more data is lost when, e.g., a part of the network is overloaded or a communication path fails. Redundant Network Access, or RNA for short, is one way to implement seamless redundancy.
How do the PRP and HSR redundancy protocols work?
With the help of the two redundancy protocols PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol) and HSR (High-Availability Seamless Redundancy), the telegrams are transmitted twice. Redundant network structures increase network availability, but usually involve brief delays in the data transmission when switching to another network path if one connection fails. But not so with PRP and HSR! With both methods, the transmission of the telegrams is always ensured without a delay even in the event of an error. Thus, a relearning of the communication paths (reconfiguration time), as with most other redundancy methods, is not necessary. This ensures maximum availability in your installation.
Further information on the PRP redundancy protocol
Using two separate networks and the PRP (Parallel Redundancy Protocol) mechanism in accordance with the IEC 62439-3 standard, a network structure can be set up. In the event of an error in one of the two networks, the transmission of one of the two telegrams is always guaranteed. The PRP redundancy mechanism can be used, e.g., in manufacturing and process automation applications that must guarantee maximum availability. This redundancy protocol can be implemented in both wired and wireless networks via the SCALANCE X and SCALANCE W device families.
Further information on the HSR redundancy protocol
In ring-shaped network structures, a seamless data transmission for highly available installations (e.g., in process automation) is realized via the HSR (High-Availability Seamless Redundancy Protocol) mechanism in accordance with IEC 62439-3. The SCALANCE X-204RNA devices with HSR functionality can also be employed for the simple and redundant transition from HSR to PRP network structures. For example, in substation applications in electrical energy distribution, such as in medium- and high-voltage switchgear, the HSR and PRP redundancy methods are used.
