Ethernet/IP - Control in real time

The growth of Ethernet/IP is in part due to the growing realisation that it can perform real-time control. Networks utilised in manufacturing have traditionally been optimised for performance in specific applications; commonly device, control and information in the automation network paradigm. The recent addition of safety to automation networking required the integration of a separate subsystem. In today´s networks, common application layers are the key to advanced communication and true network integration. The Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) allows complete integration of control with information, multiple CIP networks and Internet technologies. Built on a single, media-independent platform, CIP provides seamless communication from the plant floor throughout the enterprise, with a scalable and coherent architecture. CIP allows companies to integrate I/O control, device configuration and data collection across multiple networks. This ultimately minimises engineering and installation time and costs while maximising return on investment (ROI)