Edge 10 devices can be connected to each other and to other Ethernet devices in a variety of different ways. Depending on how the Edge devices are connected, they will need to be configured using either the Workbench Commissioning tool, the Provisioning Service of a connected Supervisor/JACE, or both.

Star

In this configuration, each Edge 10 device is connected to a central switch by a single Ethernet cable connected to its primary Ethernet port. This is what is commonly known as a “home run” deployment.

Daisy chain

In this configuration, theEdge 10 devices are connected to each other, with the primary Ethernet port on one device connected to the secondary Ethernet port on another. The first device in the chain is directly connected to a central switch via its primary port, and the last device in the chain has no connection to its secondary port.

Figure 3.   Daisy chain network topology

Ring

This configuration is the same as the daisy chained topology, except that the last controller in the chain is connected by its secondary port back into the same switch as the first controller. RSTP is used to prevent “packet storms” (i.e. excessive traffic) due to the connection loop.

Figure 4.   Ring network topology

These basic topologies can be combined as necessary to construct larger networks of controllers. For example, multiple sets of daisy chained controllers could be connected back to central switch, forming a star of daisy chained controllers.