Fault Tolerant Ethernet (FTE) is a proprietary networking technology developed by Honeywell, designed to deliver rapid redundancy and exceptional reliability for industrial control systems. Unlike traditional Ethernet redundancy schemes that require two separate networks, FTE uses a single network topology with built-in redundancy, simplifying infrastructure while maximizing uptime.

Key Benefits of FTE Networks

1. High Availability and Reliability

FTE networks are engineered to tolerate multiple failures in cables and electronics, ensuring that communication between critical nodes continues even if several components fail.

2. Rapid Fault Detection and Recovery

Unlike conventional Ethernet redundancy, which can take over 30 seconds to recover from a failure, FTE can detect and switch over to a healthy path in less than a second, minimizing disruption to operations.

3. Cost-Effective and Scalable

By leveraging commercial, off-the-shelf Ethernet technology, FTE reduces infrastructure costs and simplifies maintenance, while allowing for easy expansion as plant networks grow.

4. Seamless Integration

FTE supports both FTE-enabled and standard Ethernet devices, providing flexibility for integrating legacy systems and third-party equipment.

5. Enhanced Security and Determinism

FTE networks incorporate features like control firewalls and deterministic communication, making them suitable for environments where both security and predictable response times are critical.

Where Are FTE Networks Used?

FTE networks are widely deployed in industries where network downtime is unacceptable, such as:

  • Oil and gas refineries
  • Power plants
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Pharmaceutical production
  • Food and beverage processing

In these sectors, FTE forms the backbone of distributed control systems (DCS), connecting servers, operator stations, controllers, and I/O devices in a robust, fault-tolerant architecture.