Hi everybody,

Ethernet/IP (Ethernet Industrial Protocol) is a member of the CIP (Common Industrial Protocol) family of protocols. It is designed specifically for industrial applications, allowing for real-time control and information transfer over standard Ethernet. Here's an overview of how Ethernet/IP works:

    CIP over Ethernet:
        Ethernet/IP encapsulates CIP messages within standard Ethernet and TCP/UDP frames, allowing it to utilize the existing Ethernet infrastructure.

    Objects and Services:
        Ethernet/IP devices are modeled using a series of objects. Each object has a set of attributes (data) and services (functions). For instance, a motor drive might have objects for motor parameters, status, and control.

    Message Types:
        There are two primary types of messaging in Ethernet/IP:
 Explicit Messaging: Used for device configuration, reading/writing non-time-critical data, and other infrequent operations. This uses the TCP protocol for reliable communication.
 Implicit Messaging (I/O Messaging): Used for real-time I/O data transfer. This uses the UDP protocol to achieve the low latency required for real-time control.

    Connection Establishment:
        Before data exchange begins, devices establish connections. There are three main types of connections in Ethernet/IP:
 Point-to-point: Between two devices.
 Multicast: One device sends data to multiple devices.
 Polled: A controller (or scanner) regularly polls devices (called adapters) for data.

    Device Profiles:
        Ethernet/IP defines various device profiles (like Motor, Sensor, etc.) to standardize the behavior and attributes of similar devices, making system integration easier.

    Electronic Data Sheets (EDS):
        Devices come with an EDS, which is a text file that describes the device’s objects, attributes, and services. This file is used by configuration tools to assist in device integration.

    Integration with Industrial Networks:
        Ethernet/IP can coexist with standard Ethernet traffic, allowing both information and control data to share the same network.

    Network Topologies:
        Ethernet/IP supports various topologies, including star, line, ring, and tree. The Device Level Ring (DLR) protocol provides fast network recovery in ring topologies.

    Real-time Capabilities:
        While standard Ethernet isn't deterministic, Ethernet/IP can achieve real-time communication through techniques like prioritizing I/O traffic, using dedicated network segments, and employing Quality of Service (QoS) settings.

    Security:

    Ethernet/IP devices can utilize standard Ethernet security practices, including firewalls, VPNs, and port security. However, security at the protocol level is limited, so a defense-in-depth approach is recommended.

In essence, Ethernet/IP brings the robustness and flexibility of CIP to the ubiquity of Ethernet, making it suitable for a broad range of industrial automation applications. While it uses standard Ethernet technologies, its focus on industrial needs ensures it can handle the demands of real-time control and data acquisition.

"Platforms established on an Ethernet and Ethernet/IP (TCP) foundation have become increasingly popular in many sectors of industry. This technology, which is both practical and offers time/place savings, has evolved and branched out over time and has been embedded in third-party platforms as well. Below, we have tried to answer some of the main questions we received from our valued visitors about Ethernet/IP (TCP)."

- How does the Ethernet/IP protocol work?
- What are the differences between Ethernet/IP and standard Ethernet?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of Ethernet/IP?
- In which application areas is Ethernet/IP used?
- What security features does Ethernet/IP have?
- With which devices and systems can Ethernet/IP communicate?
- What is the history of Ethernet/IP?
- How is Ethernet/IP configured?
- What software and tools are available for Ethernet/IP?
- What are the differences between Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP?
- What is known about the bandwidth and latency of Ethernet/IP?
- Which port number is used for the Ethernet/IP protocol?
- Where does Ethernet/IP fit in the OSI model?
- What certifications and standards are applicable to Ethernet/IP?
- How is Ethernet/IP used in industrial automation?
- With which programming languages can development be done for Ethernet/IP?
- What is the potential and future developments for Ethernet/IP?
- How is diagnostic and fault detection performed on Ethernet/IP?
- Which cables and connectors are used at the physical layer for Ethernet/IP?
- What specific security measures exist for Ethernet/IP?

+ What is Ethernet?

+ What is Ethernet/IP? 

+ What is EtherCAT?

+ Back to Automation main page