Ethernet Switch Systems (ESS) can be distributed throughout an industrial or utility site as local network concentration points for IEDs, NEs or other Ethernet devices. Data traffic within a VLAN stays within the ESS network, not involving the router used primarily for WAN access.
 

Ethernet Switch Systems may be configured in redundant ring configurations with 10/100 or dual Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. An ESS module incorporated within a DynaStar Network Integration System (NIS) provides both a local switching peer to the other ESS devices and a gateway router to the wide area network for the entire site.