Ethernet offers numerous advantages that make it the communication medium of choice for substation automation systems around the world, including superior range, versatility, and speed. However, there are special considerations that must be made in order to ensure maximum performance and reliability for the conditions and requirements of power substations. This white paper presents several of the most important items that power utility administrators should consider when setting up an Ethernet network for a substation.

The following topics are covered in this white paper:

• Certification and Hardware Requirements
• Network Architecture
• Network Management Functions
• Conclusion