A software application that can configure, monitor, and manage devices used as part of an industrial automation system..

(boolean type) This is the basic data type used in computing. A BOOL variable can have either of these values: 0 (FALSE) or 1 (TRUE). A bit extracted from a word is of type BOOL, for example: %MW10.4.

(Controller area network) Fieldbus originally developed for automobile applications and now used in many sectors.

(CAN in Automation) International organization of users and manufacturers of CAN devices.

(common industrial protocol) A comprehensive suite of messages and services for the collection of manufacturing automation applications (control, safety, synchronization, motion, configuration, and information). CIP allows you to integrate these manufacturing applications with enterprise-level Ethernet networks and the Internet. CIP is the core protocol of EtherNet/IP.

A CIP transport class 3 connection used for explicit messaging between EtherNet/IP devices.

(communication object identifier) Unique identifier of a COB on a CANopen network. The identifier determines the priority of a COB.

(central processing unit) Brain of an industrial manufacturing process, also known as the processor or controller. It automates a process as opposed to relay control systems. CPUs are computers suited to survive the harsh conditions of the industrial environment.

(Device derived data type) Predefined by the manufacturer and not editable. It contains the I/O language elements of an I/O module.

(dynamic host configuration protocol) An extension of the BOOTP communications protocol that provides for the automatic assignment of IP addressing settings, including IP address, subnet mask, gateway IP address, and DNS server names. DHCP does not require the maintenance of a table identifying each network device. The client identifies itself to the DHCP server using either its MAC address, or a uniquely assigned device identifier. The DHCP service utilizes UDP ports 67 and 68.

A network containing distributed equipment, in which I/O scanning is performed by a CPU with DIO scanner service on the local rack. DIO network traffic is delivered after RIO traffic, which takes priority in an RIO network.

(Device type manager) Device driver running on the host PC. It provides a unified structure for accessing device parameters, configuring and operating the devices, and troubleshooting devices. DTMs can range from a simple graphical user interface (GUI) for setting device parameters to a highly sophisticated application capable of performing complex real-time calculations for diagnosis and maintenance purposes. In the context of a DTM, a device can be a communications module or a remote device on the network.

Refer to FDT.

(electronic data sheet) Simple text file that describes the configuration capabilities of a device. EDS files are generated and maintained by the manufacturer of the device.

(emergency) A trigger event, generated by an internal error/fault. This object is transmitted with each new error, since error codes are independent mechanisms.

A 10 Mb/s, 100 Mb/s, or 1 Gb/s, CSMA/CD, frame-based LAN that can run over copper twisted pair or fiber optic cable, or wireless. The IEEE standard 802.3 defines the rules for configuring a wired Ethernet network; the IEEE standard 802.11 defines the rules for configuring a wireless Ethernet network. Common forms include 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T, which can utilize category 5e copper twisted-pair cables and RJ45 modular connectors.

A network communication protocol for industrial automation applications. It combines the standard Internet transmission protocols of TCP/IP and UDP with the application layer common industrial protocol (CIP) to support both high-speed data exchange and industrial control. EtherNet/IP employs electronic data sheets (EDS) to classify each network device and its functionality.

TCP/IP-based messaging for Modbus TCP and EtherNet/IP. It is used for point-to-point, client/server messages that include both data, typically unscheduled information between a client and a server, and routing information. In EtherNet/IP, explicit messaging is considered class 3 type messaging, and can be connection-based or connectionless.

(fast device replacement) A service that uses configuration software to replace an inoperable product.

(Field device tool) The technology that harmonizes communication between field devices and the system host.

(file transfer protocol) A protocol that copies a file from one host to another over a TCP/IP-based network, such as the Internet. FTP uses a client/server architecture as well as separate control and data connections between the client and server.

A gateway device interconnects two different networks, sometimes through different network protocols. When it connects networks based on different protocols, a gateway converts a datagram from one protocol stack into the other. When used to connect two IP-based networks, a gateway (also called a router) has two separate IP addresses, one on each network.

Variable that indicates the communication state of the channels.

(Human machine interface) System that allows interaction between a human and a machine.

(hypertext transfer protocol) A networking protocol for distributed and collaborative information systems. HTTP is the basis of data communication for the Web.

UDP/IP-based class 1 connected messaging for EtherNet/IP. Implicit messaging maintains an open connection for the scheduled transfer of control data between a producer and consumer. Because an open connection is maintained, each message contains data primarily, without the overhead of object information, plus a connection identifier.

The 32-bit identifier, consisting of both a network address and a host address assigned to a device connected to a TCP/IP network.

An M580 rack containing the CPU and a power supply. A local rack consists of one or two racks: the main rack and the extended rack, which belongs to the same family as the main rack. The extended rack is optional.

(media access control address) A unique 48-bit number associated with a specific piece of hardware. The MAC address is programmed into each network card or device when it is manufactured.

Transformation of data consigned in a special and different format.

(Network interface module) A NIM resides in the first position on an STB island (leftmost on the physical setup). The NIM provides the interface between the I/O modules and the fieldbus master. It is the only module on the island that is fieldbus-dependent, a different NIM is available for each fieldbus.

(Network management) CANopen protocols that provide services for network initialization, detected error control, and device status control.

(Network time protocol) Protocol for synchronizing computer system clocks. The protocol uses a jitter buffer to resist the effects of variable latency.

(originator to target) Refer to originator and target.

In EtherNet/IP, a device is considered the originator when it initiates a CIP connection for implicit or explicit messaging communications or when it initiates a message request for unconnected explicit messaging.

(process data object) An unconfirmed broadcast message sent from a producer device to a consumer device in a CAN-based network. The transmit PDO from the producer device has a specific identifier that corresponds to the receive PDO of the consumer devices.

An Ethernet-based network that contains three types of RIO de vices: a local rack, an RIO drop, and a ConneXium extended dual-ring switch (DRS). Distributed equipment may also participate in a RIO network via connection to DRSs.

(received process data object) Refer to PDO.

(requested packet interval) The time period between cyclic data transmissions requested by the scanner. EtherNet/IP devices publish data at the rate specified by the RPI assigned to them by the scanner, and they receive message requests from the scanner at each RPI.

(service data object) A message used by the fieldbus master to access (read/write) the object directories of network nodes in CAN-based networks. SDO types include service SDOs (SSDOs) and client SDOs (CSDOs).

(simple network management protocol) Protocol used in network management systems to monitor network-attached devices. The protocol is part of the Internet protocol suite (IP) as defined by the Internet engineering task force (IETF). It consists of network management guidelines, including an application layer protocol, a database schema, and a set of data objects.

(simple network time protocol) Refer to NTP.

A variable that is a series of ASCII characters.

The 32-bit value used to hide (or mask) the network portion of the IP address and reveal the host address of a device on a network using the IP protocol.

(target to originator) Refer to originator and target.

A group of sections and subroutines, executed cyclically or periodically for the MAST task and periodically for the FAST task. A task possesses a level of priority and is linked to inputs and outputs of the controller. These I/O are refreshed in relation to the task. A controller can have several tasks.

(transmit process data object) Refer to PDO.

Memory unit that is addressed and modified by a program.