Power Plant Instrumentation and Control Handbook

Appendix IV

Network Control and Communication

1.0. Network Control and Communications

A brief discussion is presented below related to computer networks meant to supplement the discussions presented in Chapter VII. The following subtopics are covered:

• Use of fiber optics in the network

• Electromagnetic spectrum mainly used in computer networks

• Firewall protection of network (network security)

• Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE; network availability)

2.0. Fiber Optic and Associated Networks

Since there is no electromagnetic interference, fiber optic networks are becoming increasingly popular. Basic fiber optic cross sections are shown in Figure APIV/1a, and a typical fiber optic network is presented in Figure APIV/1b. Normally there are two taps: in one ...