FAQ Category: Network Switches
Unmanaged Network Switches
Before anything else, you need to know how to reach the switch’s web interface. Maple Systems unmanaged switches are typically plug-and-play, but Maple’s managed or industrial Ethernet switches require initial setup through their default IP. Here are the first steps:
Redundant power input is the inclusion of multiple power sources to ensure continuous device operation in case of a power failure. When one power source fails, the system automatically switches…
An Element Management System (EMS) is a software platform for managing network devices like switches and routers. It helps monitor, configure, and troubleshoot these devices in a centralized manner. EMS…
A TCP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the TCP protocol. On Maple Systems products, TCP ports facilitate connections between HMIs, PLCs,…
Relay Contact Outputs on unmanaged and managed switches are controlled by a DIP-switch that can be toggled on or off. When set to ON, the DIP-switch activates a relay contact,…
An Ethernet Management Port in our system refers to a dedicated console port or USB port for device management. It provides administrators with direct access to configure and troubleshoot network…
A UDP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the UDP protocol. On Maple Systems products, UDP ports enable fast, connectionless communication for…
Traffic Control is a method used to manage network traffic, ensuring optimal performance, prioritization, and efficient data flow. It involves various techniques that control the rate, direction, and volume of…
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. Thus, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It serves as both the…
The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a reference model which describes seven layers of communication between computing systems over a network. These seven layers are as outlined: Layer 1…
L2 Forwarding Rate is the speed at which a network device can process and forward Layer 2 (L2) Ethernet frames. It is a key performance metric that determines how quickly…
Storm control monitors the rate of incoming packets on a port. It compares the rate of broadcast, multicast, or unknown unicast traffic to a configured Storm Threshold. When the traffic rate exceeds…
A layer 2 network switch operates at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model. Read more information about the OSI Model. Layer 2 network switches forward data based on…
A VLAN packet is a data frame that includes information for a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that allows devices to communicate within a specific segment of a network. The…
A Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the…
A virtual local area network (VLAN) segments a physical network into smaller, isolated networks. It can help improve security and performance on a network. Layer 2 switches may create and…
VLAN Passthrough is a network feature that allows VLAN-tagged traffic to pass through a device without altering or stripping the VLAN tags. When a device is configured for VLAN passthrough,…
Local Link Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is a standardized data link layer protocol used to discover and exchange information about network devices. Defined by the IEEE 802.1AB standard, LLDP allows devices to advertise their identity, capabilities,…
Network device flapping occurs when a network device repeatedly connects and disconnects in short intervals. This issue affects stability and can cause network disruptions. Flapping is commonly seen in links…
ESD Protection refers to the methods and components used to protect electronic devices from electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when static electricity is suddenly released, which can damage sensitive electronic…
Managed Network Switches
Loop Detection is a network feature used to identify and prevent network loops in networks. A network loop occurs when data packets continuously circulate in the network without reaching their…
Auto Provision is a service that allows a network switch to automatically retrieve and apply configuration files from a remote server. This simplifies the configuration process by eliminating the need…
Class of Service (CoS) is a networking feature that prioritizes data traffic to improve performance and reduce latency. CoS is defined by the IEEE 802.1p standard, which assigns priority levels to network packets and is commonly used in industrial automation, VoIP, and video streaming, where certain data needs higher priority. CoS helps ensure critical traffic, like SCADA commands, is delivered without delays. CoS is implemented at Layer 2 using VLAN tagging to classify and prioritize network traffic. Example Scenario: Real-Time SCADA Communication with CoS: In a SCADA system, an HMI sends real-time control commands to a PLC over a managed switch. Without CoS, critical control packets may compete with regular network traffic, causing delays. CoS assigns higher priority to control data, ensuring immediate delivery even during network congestion preventing communication delays between the HMI and PLC, maintaining real-time system responsiveness. As a result, industrial processes run smoothly without interruptions or unsafe conditions.
An Active VLAN is a VLAN that is actively used to separate traffic on a network. It helps keep devices isolated within their own virtual network while controlling communication. Active…
ESD Protection refers to the methods and components used to protect electronic devices from electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when static electricity is suddenly released, which can damage sensitive electronic…
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. Thus, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It serves as both the…
The Generic Object-Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) protocol is a communication standard used in electrical substations for rapid data exchange. It operates within the IEC 61850 standard and enables real-time messaging…
Port Statistics provide detailed data about the performance and activity of a network port. This information includes metrics such as data transfer rates, packet counts, and error rates. Administrators use…
Storm control monitors the rate of incoming packets on a port. It compares the rate of broadcast, multicast, or unknown unicast traffic to a configured Storm Threshold. When the traffic rate exceeds…
A TCP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the TCP protocol. On Maple Systems products, TCP ports facilitate connections between HMIs, PLCs,…
MapleLink’s ModbusTCP allows a network device to act as a Modbus TCP slave, enabling remote access by a ModbusTCP master device. With this feature, you can read and write to…
IP DiffServ (Differentiated Services) is a network architecture designed to manage traffic and prioritize packets for improved Quality of Service (QoS). It classifies and marks packets using the DSCP (Differentiated…
1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX are Gigabit Ethernet standards using fiber optic cables for high-speed communication. Defined by the IEEE 802.3z standard, they support 1 Gbps data transmission. 1000BASE-SX operates on multimode fiber (MMF), reaching up to 550 meters, while 1000BASE-LX uses single-mode fiber (SMF), extending up to 10 km. These…
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitors and manages devices on an IP network. SNMP uses a structured format with Object Identifiers (OIDs) to retrieve and modify device parameters and supports…
Over Voltage Protection (OVP) safeguards devices from voltage spikes and surges that could cause damage. When voltage exceeds safe levels, OVP mechanisms activate to prevent equipment failure. Certifications such as…
A MAC VLAN is a feature that allows network administrators to filter traffic based on the MAC (Media Access Control) address of devices. This feature enables the network switch to…
What is an Access Control List? An Access Control List (ACL) is used to filter network traffic based on predefined rules. Traffic is allowed or denied based on IP addresses,…
Port Utilization refers to the amount of bandwidth a network port is using compared to its total capacity. It helps monitor how effectively a port is being used for data…
A Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the…
A UDP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the UDP protocol. On Maple Systems products, UDP ports enable fast, connectionless communication for…
Lite Managed Network Switches
ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is an open standard for network video surveillance devices. ONVIF ensures interoperability between different manufacturers’ equipment enablings devices like IP cameras, NVRs (Network Video…
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. Thus, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It serves as both the…
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) monitors and manages devices on an IP network. SNMP uses a structured format with Object Identifiers (OIDs) to retrieve and modify device parameters and supports…
Over Current Protection (OCP) is a safety feature designed to prevent electrical devices from being damaged by excessive current. When the current flowing through a circuit exceeds the device’s safe…
A Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the…
What is an Access Control List? An Access Control List (ACL) is used to filter network traffic based on predefined rules. Traffic is allowed or denied based on IP addresses,…
A User Account with Authority (802.1X) is a network access control protocol that authenticates devices before granting network access. It requires users or devices to provide valid credentials, such as…
Before anything else, you need to know how to reach the switch’s web interface. Maple Systems unmanaged switches are typically plug-and-play, but Maple’s managed or industrial Ethernet switches require initial setup through their default IP. Here are the first steps:
A TCP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the TCP protocol. On Maple Systems products, TCP ports facilitate connections between HMIs, PLCs,…
A VLAN packet is a data frame that includes information for a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that allows devices to communicate within a specific segment of a network. The…
LLDP Neighbors refers to devices on the network that support LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) and are directly connected to a network switch. LLDP is a vendor-neutral protocol. It allows…
A Command Line Interface (CLI) is a text-based interface used to configure and manage operating systems or network devices. Users enter text commands to perform tasks like configuring settings, managing…
Power Surge Protection is a safety feature that safeguards electrical devices from voltage spikes or surges. It may occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or electrical faults. These surges…
Local Link Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is a standardized data link layer protocol used to discover and exchange information about network devices. Defined by the IEEE 802.1AB standard, LLDP allows devices to advertise their identity, capabilities,…
Redundant power input is the inclusion of multiple power sources to ensure continuous device operation in case of a power failure. When one power source fails, the system automatically switches…
A Trusted Managed Host is a device or system that is authorized and trusted to manage and control network resources. It has higher security privileges, allowing it to configure, monitor,…
A UDP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the UDP protocol. On Maple Systems products, UDP ports enable fast, connectionless communication for…
VLAN Data Forwarding is the process of directing network traffic between devices within a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN). When a packet is sent within a VLAN, it is forwarded…
WTR (Wait-to-Restore) is a timer mechanism used in ERPS (Ethernet Ring Protection Switching). It prevents network instability after a failure has been resolved. ERPS is a protocol that ensures fast…
Network device flapping occurs when a network device repeatedly connects and disconnects in short intervals. This issue affects stability and can cause network disruptions. Flapping is commonly seen in links…
Common Questions
10BASE-T is an Ethernet standard for local area networks (LANs) that supports speeds of 10 Mbps over twisted-pair cabling. It is defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard and uses Cat…
MAC Management is a feature that allows administrators to manage and configure MAC addresses on a network switch. It provides several capabilities for controlling how MAC addresses are handled within…
UL indicates that the product has been tested to meet the safety standards of the United States by Underwriters Laboratories. UL adds another layer of assurance and peace of mind…
100BASE-TX is an Ethernet standard that supports 100 Mbps speeds over twisted-pair cabling. Defined by the IEEE 802.3u standard, it uses Cat 5 or higher cables and operates in full-duplex…
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model is a conceptual framework that defines how data moves through a network in seven layers — from the physical hardware connection to the software…
RoHS, Restriction of Hazardous Substances, is a directive that originated in the European Union that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials in electronic products. A product must be RoHS…
1000BASE-T is an Ethernet standard that supports 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) speeds over twisted-pair cabling. Defined by the IEEE 802.3ab standard, it operates using Cat 5e or higher cables and…
Yes, you can daisy chain Maple Systems network switches to scale a network. It’s generally recommended to daisy chain no more than three to four switches.
A TCP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the TCP protocol. On Maple Systems products, TCP ports facilitate connections between HMIs, PLCs,…
100BASE-FX is an Ethernet standard that supports 100 Mbps speeds over fiber optic cabling. Defined by the IEEE 802.3u standard, it uses multimode fiber (MMF) with SC, ST, or LC…
Commercial switches rely on a single power supply to power the switch, while industrial switches typically run off DC power, and have redundant power inputs. This allows the weakest link (the power supply) to have a hot standby back up, insuring maximum up time.
A UDP port is a communication endpoint for transmitting data between devices on a network using the UDP protocol. On Maple Systems products, UDP ports enable fast, connectionless communication for…
Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the overhead…
The default IP address for our Fully-Managed and Lite-Managed Network Switches is 192.168.100.254.
A network switch is a networking appliance that connects multiple devices inside of a Local Area Network (LAN). It communicates by forwarding data based off MAC addresses. Typically switches operate…
Electromagnetic Susceptibility (EMS) refers to a device’s ability to function correctly in the presence of electromagnetic interference (EMI). It is the opposite of electromagnetic immunity, which indicates a device’s ability…
Yes, we have several products that support PROFINET. HMI products, Network Switches, CODESYS enabled HMIs
The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model is a reference model which describes seven layers of communication between computing systems over a network. These seven layers are as outlined: Layer 1…
Maximum Transmission Units (MTU) refer to the largest size of a packet that can be transmitted over a network. It is determined by the network’s protocol and hardware limitations. MTU…
Before anything else, you need to know how to reach the switch’s web interface. Maple Systems unmanaged switches are typically plug-and-play, but Maple’s managed or industrial Ethernet switches require initial setup through their default IP. Here are the first steps:
Premium Unmanaged Network Switches
L2 Forwarding Rate is the speed at which a network device can process and forward Layer 2 (L2) Ethernet frames. It is a key performance metric that determines how quickly…
An IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique identifier assigned to each device on a network. Thus, allowing it to communicate with other devices. It serves as both the…
Network device flapping occurs when a network device repeatedly connects and disconnects in short intervals. This issue affects stability and can cause network disruptions. Flapping is commonly seen in links…
A VLAN packet is a data frame that includes information for a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) that allows devices to communicate within a specific segment of a network. The…
Storm control monitors the rate of incoming packets on a port. It compares the rate of broadcast, multicast, or unknown unicast traffic to a configured Storm Threshold. When the traffic rate exceeds…
A switch fabric refers to the internal architecture of a network switch that connects its ports and facilitates data forwarding. It enables communication between the switch’s ports by determining how…
VLAN Passthrough is a network feature that allows VLAN-tagged traffic to pass through a device without altering or stripping the VLAN tags. When a device is configured for VLAN passthrough,…
A Jumbo Frame is an Ethernet frame with a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) larger than the standard 1500-byte size, typically supporting 9000 bytes or more. This larger MTU reduces the…
The IEC 60068-2 standard is part of the IEC 60068 series, which covers environmental testing for electrical and electronic equipment. Specifically, IEC 60068-2 refers to various test methods and procedures…
ESD Protection refers to the methods and components used to protect electronic devices from electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD occurs when static electricity is suddenly released, which can damage sensitive electronic…
Local Link Discovery Protocol (LLDP) is a standardized data link layer protocol used to discover and exchange information about network devices. Defined by the IEEE 802.1AB standard, LLDP allows devices to advertise their identity, capabilities,…
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) refers to unwanted electromagnetic energy that disrupts the normal operation of electronic devices. It can be caused by various sources, such as electrical circuits, radio frequency signals,…
Over Current Protection (OCP) is a safety feature designed to prevent electrical devices from being damaged by excessive current. When the current flowing through a circuit exceeds the device’s safe…
A MAC table is used by network switches to map MAC addresses to specific switch ports. This allows the switch to efficiently forward data frames based on their destination MAC address. The switch dynamically…
An Industrial Network Switch is a type of switch designed to operate in harsh environments typically found in industrial settings. It is built to withstand factors like temperature extremes, humidity,…
Power Surge Protection is a safety feature that safeguards electrical devices from voltage spikes or surges. It may occur due to lightning strikes, power outages, or electrical faults. These surges…
Flow Control is a standard defined by IEEE 802.3x that manages data transmission to prevent packet loss during network congestion. It uses pause frames to temporarily stop the sending of data, allowing the receiving device…
Industrial QoS (iQoS) ensures reliable communication by prioritizing critical protocols like PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and GOOSE in automation networks. These protocols require low latency and minimal packet loss for real-time control…
Reverse Polarity Protection is a safety feature that prevents damage to electronic devices when the power supply connections are reversed. When the positive and negative wires are mistakenly swapped, reverse…
Nway Auto-Negotiation, defined by the IEEE 802.3 standard, allows network devices to automatically determine the best duplex mode and speed. It eliminates manual configuration by exchanging capabilities between devices. This process…