Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA – August 3, 2007
The unique requirements of manufacturing applications demand that users choose network infrastructures appropriate for their application. The scope of issues at hand, from both a technical and business perspective, has increased with the rapid adoption of Ethernet and internet technologies in manufacturing companies. With this in mind, ODVA has published a network infrastructure guide for EtherNet/IP, the leading industrial Ethernet network.
‘Network Infrastructure for EtherNet/IP: Introduction and Considerations’ provides an introduction to the network infrastructure used in EtherNet/IP networks and gives users a framework for identifying the considerations that are most critical to their specific applications. It represents the combined knowledge of experts from companies that are leading the industry in the application of Ethernet on the factory floor.
Advances in Ethernet technology and reduced component costs are fuelling the growth of Ethernet in plant floor networks. EtherNet/IP provides users with the tools to deploy standard Ethernet technology for manufacturing applications while enabling Internet and enterprise connectivity.
ODVA Executive Director Katherine Voss comments: “The application of Ethernet and Internet technologies is permeating every aspect of manufacturing automation today – control, safety, configuration and diagnostics, synchronization and motion, and information. To realize the benefits of these technologies, the network infrastructure is critical and represents a long-term investment for users that requires thorough analysis of application requirements along with technology choices and trends. This new guide from ODVA should prove an invaluable resource for engineers looking to build networks on EtherNet/IP.”
A PDF copy of the guide can be freely downloaded from the ODVA website at www.odva.org.
As well as publishing the guide, ODVA has also set up new a Joint Special Interest Group, the EtherNet/IP Infrastructure Joint Special Interest Group ("Infrastructure jSIG"), to promote standards for infrastructure devices used in communication networks that implement EtherNet/IP. The Infrastructure jSIG will focus on developing enhancements to The EtherNet/IP Specification consisting of device profiles for infrastructure devices, such as switches and routers, paving the way for ODVA to issue Declarations of Conformity for infrastructure devices designed to support networks using EtherNet/IP.
About ODVA
ODVA, founded in 1995, is an international association comprised of members from the world's leading automation companies. Collectively, ODVA and its members support network technologies based on the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP™). These currently include the network adaptations of CIP—EtherNet/IP™, DeviceNet™ and CompoNet™—and major application extensions to CIP—CIP Safety™, CIP Motion™ and CIP Sync™. ODVA manages the development of these open technologies, and assists manufacturers and users of CIP Networks through tools, training and marketing activities. In addition, ODVA offers conformance testing to help ensure that products built to its specifications operate in multi-vendor systems. ODVA also is active in other standards development organizations and industry consortia to drive the growth of open communication standards. For more information, visit its web site at www.odva.org.
For more information, contact:
Adrienne Meyer
Manager, Marketing Communications
ODVA
4220 Varsity Drive, Suite A, Ann Arbor, MI 48108-5006 USA
tel +1 734 975 8840; fax +1 734 922 0027; email ameyer@odva.org
or
John Jackson
ODVA Communication Officer EMEA
43 Quarry Bank, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 2QZ UK
tel: +44 (0) 1732 352 371; email jjackson@odva.org
CIP, CIP Motion, CIP Safety, CIP Sync, CompoNet, and DeviceNet are trademarks of ODVA. EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ControlNet International under license by ODVA. ControlNet is a trademark of ControlNet International, Ltd. Other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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