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.
Presentations
- Remote Access Demonstration — View this Cisco-developed demonstration of secure Remote Access focusing on the needs of manufacturing, while maintaining IT security requirements. This video is built on the Remote Access solution developed by Rockwell Automation and Cisco.
- Manufacturing Convergence Podcast — Integrated Architecture Podcasts, Episode 14
- Reference Architectures: Fundamentals of Industrial Ethernet Network Design [PDF] — (Automation Fair 2009) Learn the core principles for designing industrial Ethernet networks using the concepts delivered in the Rockwell Automation and Cisco Converged Plantwide Ethernet Architectures. It includes best practices and recommendations that are applicable to both IT and manufacturing networks as well as switch/router deployment.
- Build a Solid Plant-floor Infrastructure through Network and Security Design and Implementation [PDF] — (Automation Fair 2009) Learn potential security threats to automation equipment and control networks and present considerations for creating and maintaining a secure manufacturing infrastructure. Learn key elements for plant-floor network and security design and implementation to optimize performance and production.
- Achieving Secure Remote Access to Plant-Wide Applications [PDF] — (Automation Fair 2009) Wide deployment of EtherNet/IP enables engineers or suppliers to remotely access plant-wide assets for the purpose of monitoring, management and configuration. Learn the best practices and recommendations from Rockwell Automation and Cisco that balance the remote access needs of manufacturing with the secure access requirements of IT.