Time-sensitive networking – Next-gen industrial connectivity

Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is an evolution of the IEEE 802.1 Ethernet standard (IE3- TSN). TSN is not an IIoT-security-specific protocol, but its design offers multiple security benefits (and a few challenges). TSN is still in an early adoption phase. In this section, we will discuss the relevance of TSN as an emerging technology in secured IIoT deployments.

IEEE 802.1 Ethernet, although a widely deployed low-cost layer 2 technology, fails to match the deterministic performance requirements of industrial automation and control applications. To achieve deterministic performance, most industrial enterprises still continue to use fieldbus technologies and their proprietary enhancements to Ethernet (such as EtherCat, PROFINET, or SERCOS III). These proprietary protocols are not built for security and interoperability. The result has been fragmented industrial networks that are incapable of integrating with advanced analytics services...