By Wesley Chen, IIoT Product Sales Manager – Industrial Connectivity and Wireless, Advantech
As Ethernet becomes more prevalent in industrial settings, industrial Ethernet switches have become essential for connecting equipment and enabling efficient automation. Offering scalability and improved performance, these switches help manufacturers meet the growing complexity of industrial networks. However, while high performance networking is critical, ease of use remains an equally important factor.
The global industrial Ethernet switch market has been expanding steadily, with projections estimating growth to $3.11 billion (€3.04 billion) in 2025, up from $2.94 billion (€2.87 billion) in 2024 – a compound annual growth rate of 5.7%, according to the Industrial Ethernet Switch Global Market Report 2025. Within this market, industrial switches are broadly categorised into two types: ‘unmanaged’ and ‘managed’. Typically, unmanaged switches are used for internal network connections between machines and equipment, whereas managed switches facilitate communication across wider networks, linking machines, equipment, and factories.
Addressing the performance vs simplicity dilemma
Both managed and unmanaged switches offer distinct advantages, yet businesses often face a trade-off between performance and ease of use. Managed switches provide comprehensive control, security, and advanced networking features but are more complex and costly. In contrast, unmanaged switches offer simplicity and affordability but traditionally lack sophisticated network management functions such as VLAN segmentation and PROFINET data prioritisation.
This has left many enterprises searching for a solution that balances cost-effectiveness with the essential networking capabilities required for industrial automation. The challenge is to enhance the functionality of unmanaged switches so they can address specific industrial networking needs without the complexity and cost associated with managed solutions.
Delivering advanced capabilities with unmanaged switches
Recent advancements in unmanaged switch technology are challenging the conventional divide between managed and unmanaged devices. Companies like Advantech have developed innovative unmanaged switch series that incorporate features typically found only in managed solutions. For example, the company’s EKI-NI and EKI-271X series are introducing key enhancements such as PROFINET priority transmission and VLAN segmentation – capabilities that improve network efficiency while maintaining overall simplicity.
Practical applications: enhancing data security and network performance
In industries such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, network security and efficient data management are critical. A common challenge involves integrating outsourced environmental monitoring equipment with core production control systems. Traditionally, managed switches were required to ensure proper data isolation and prioritisation, but the latest unmanaged switch solutions provide a streamlined alternative.
For instance, Advantech’s EKI-2710E unmanaged switch enables effective data segregation by using VLAN DIP switch configurations to separate control network traffic from environmental data traffic. This ensures that outsourced monitoring systems do not interfere with real-time production control processes, thereby maintaining both security and operational integrity.
Similarly, in industrial control networks utilising PROFINET-enabled devices, real time command transmission is crucial for process stability. Without proper prioritisation, network congestion can lead to latency issues, false equipment failure alarms, and reduced efficiency. The EKI-2528NI unmanaged switch addresses this by recognising and prioritising PROFINET data traffic, ensuring that control commands are transmitted without delay. This functionality was previously exclusive to managed switches.
Transitioning from managed to unmanaged solutions
A major benefit of these new unmanaged switches is their ability to bridge the gap between traditional unmanaged and managed solutions. Engineers and industrial network designers will often hesitate to transition away from managed switches due to legitimate concerns about network security, stability, and performance. However, with the introduction of enhanced unmanaged switches, many of these concerns are alleviated entirely.
For example, in industrial applications where both real-time control data and environmental monitoring data must coexist within the same network infrastructure, ensuring proper traffic segmentation is paramount. Previously, managed switches were the go-to solution, but with easy VLAN configuration, industrial users can now achieve similar functionality with a lower-cost, more user-friendly alternative.
Moreover, the simplified deployment process of these advanced unmanaged switches allows engineers to integrate them quickly without requiring specialised training. This is particularly valuable in industries where rapid network scaling is necessary, such as logistics, manufacturing, and energy production.
By reducing the complexity of network configuration, enterprises can minimise operational downtime and lower overall deployment costs.
A smarter approach to industrial networking
As industrial automation evolves and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) drives increased network demands, enterprises need reliable and efficient Ethernet solutions. The latest generation of unmanaged switches is bridging the gap between affordability and advanced functionality, offering features such as VLAN segmentation and PROFINET prioritisation without the complexity of managed systems.
By incorporating these advancements, companies like Advantech are enabling businesses to optimise their industrial networks with cost-effective, high-performance solutions – thus transforming the role of unmanaged switches in modern industrial automation. As more industries seek streamlined networking options, enhanced unmanaged switches are poised to become a key component in industrial connectivity strategies. With their ability to maintain performance, security, and ease of use, these new solutions provide a clear path forward for organisations looking to modernise their network infrastructure without unnecessary complexity or cost.
This article originally appeared in the April 25 magazine issue of IoT Insider.
