I n d u s t r i a l
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E t h e r n e t
Selecting and configuring a software protocol driver in HMI software to communicate to a new device through Ethernet or some other industrial
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communications protocol is simpler than adding
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protocol conversion hardware and it’s also the low-cost option.
Due to the popularity of the IoT and the IIoT, along with other factors, the variants
of industrial Ethernet have never been greater. When connecting data and information across the plant floor, how can all of these different industrial Ethernet protocols communicate? One solution: use a modern HMI as a gateway to connect common industrial Ethernet protocols, with a focus on messaging and information protocol interfaces. Many older automation systems and networks are becoming obsolete but they still work great. Industrial Ethernet evolved from an earlier version of Ethernet, and includes many features from fieldbus-style communications standards that were supposed to be used instead of Ethernet. These fieldbus-style standards include DeviceNet, Control Area Network (CAN), Profibus, Modbus and CCLink. These networks are still widely used, but they are slowly moving to the obsolete side of the scale. Technology is moving many from these serial networks towards Industrial Ethernet to take advantage of its speed and flexibility. Industrial Ethernet is now handling real-time control networks and is well suited to communicate with more complex devices such as motion controllers and drives. It also provides the technology to connect to the IIoT. While many networks have changed from proprietary to open standards, Ethernet sets the bar as the most open of all networks in terms of hardware, but not with respect to all layers of its communication protocol, particularly for industrial applications. All variants of Industrial Ethernet share some or all hardware, but
there are still many different Ethernet-based protocols, including: Ethernet TCP/IP EtherNet/IP Modbus TCP/IP Profinet Ethernet Powerlink EtherCAT Sercos III CC-Link IE Ethernet TCP/IP is the leading standard for communication on Ethernet hardware. A simple description is that it’s the internet connection between two or more devices that makes sure data are sent and delivered correctly. Most other industrial Ethernet protocols use all or part of this protocol in various ways. These different Industrial Ethernet protocols were developed by leading automation manufacturers. For example, EtherNet/IP was developed by Rockwell Automation and created from DeviceNet and ControlNet using the same Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) over TCP/IP. Like most of the other industrial Ethernet protocols, EtherNet/IP is now open and administered by an independent foundation.
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