Mission-critical systems increasingly rely on Ethernet connectivity between modules or devices. Traditional Ethernet (IEEE 802.3 and 802.1Q) has no concept of time regarding data delivery, and thus it is not possible to ensure all real-time data arrives at its destination on time especially as data loads increase. Deterministic system behavior thus cannot be achieved.

Hence, this poses a problem for Internet of Things (IoT) edge device vendors as to which specifications are relevant to their products. Additionally, this can induce a lack of confidence that their products are future-proof.

In this paper we will outline some of the on-going work on TSN. More crucially, we will discuss how this ‘moving target’ can be addressed, by a ‘back-to-basics’ approach. We recommend organizations have a baseline TSN offering, involving established aspects of IEEE 802.1, to create successful mission-critical systems today and to be future-proof tomorrow.