Networks and Communications
Rockwell Automation and Cisco Systems®
Reference Architectures for Manufacturing
Industry adoption of EtherNet/IP™ for control and information has driven the wide deployment of standard Ethernet and IP network technology for manufacturing networks. This deployment acts as the technology enabler for the convergence of industrial and enterprise networks. By gaining timely access to key performance indicators (KPIs), at the right levels by business and operation decision makers, manufacturers make business decisions from real time information. Information convergence between manufacturing and business systems within the enterprise allows greater business agility and opportunities for innovation.
To support and accelerate this network convergence, Rockwell Automation and Cisco Systems collaborated to develop Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Architectures, to provide education, design guidance, recommendations and best practices. These resources, comprised of the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture™ and Cisco's Ethernet-to-the-Factory, provide users with the foundation for success to deploy the latest technology by addressing topics relevant to both engineering and information technology (IT) professionals. They also address the cultural and technical challenges of Ethernet network convergence between IT and engineering.
Rockwell Automation and Cisco are publishing ongoing phased releases of deliverables to provide solutions (such as documentation, products, technology, and services) to address convergence between industrial and enterprise networks. Rockwell Automation and Cisco have identified other published documents that will help customers properly deploy Ethernet networks. Included are published documents by ODVA, which Rockwell Automation and Cisco are principle members.
Documented Best Practices and Recommendations
- Network Infrastructure for EtherNet/IP: Introduction and Considerations [PDF] — (ODVA) provides an introduction to the network infrastructure used in EtherNet/IP networks.
- EtherNet/IP Media Planning and Installation Manual [PDF] — (ODVA) describes the required media components and how to plan for, verify, troubleshoot and certify EtherNet/IP networks.
- Fiber Optic Infrastructure Application Guide [PDF] — (Cisco, Panduit and Rockwell Automation) details the fiber optic network infrastructure solutions that provide new, high-performance connectivity options to increase the integrity and availability of EtherNet/IP networks at each level of your plant network.
- Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Design and Implementation Guide (DIG) [PDF] — (Cisco and Rockwell Automation) tested and validated industrial automation and control system (IACS) network architectures using EtherNet/IP (Cisco Validated Design).
Recent enhancements: - Implementing CIP Motion on EtherNet/IP utilizing Stratix 8000™ switches, ODVA embedded switch technology, Logix controllers and Kinetix® drives
- Implementing CIP Sync time synchronization on EtherNet/IP utilizing 1EEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP):
- Stratix 8000 switch - Transparent Clock and Boundary Clock
- Embedded switch technology - Transparent Clock - Ring and Linear topologies
- Implementing Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) persistence on an EtherNet/IP network utilizing Stratix 8000 and 6000 switches
- Rockwell Automation Stratix 8000 switch for enhanced industrial Ethernet switching infrastructure
- Detailed Cell/Area zone design options and resiliency testing for both ring and redundant star topologies in support of CIP Implicit I/O, CIP Explicit informational messaging and more
- Design and implementation of secure remote access to IACS networks
- Integration of FactoryTalk® production and performance software suite
- Network manageability with EtherNet/IP by integrating industrial Ethernet switches into IACS application (examples: FactoryTalk software, RSLinx® Data Servers and Logix control platform applications)